Lady Vengeance (2005) - Korean Movie Review

Erik, the Asian Movie Enthusiast presents:

A review of “Lady Vengeance” (aka “Sympathy for Lady Vengeance”), a Korean drama from 2005 that was directed by Park Chan-wook and stars Lee Young-ae and Choi Min-sik. This is the third film in Park’s “Vengeance” trilogy, along with “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance” and “Oldboy.”

A Christian musical procession waits with a symbolic block of tofu outside a prison for the release of Lee Geum-ja (played by Lee Young-ae), a reformed female prisoner. Convicted of kidnapping and murdering a 6-year-old schoolboy, 13 years earlier, Geum-ja became a national sensation because of her young age, angelic appearance, and eager confession to the crime. However, she became an inspirational model for prisoner reform during her incarceration, and her apparent spiritual transformation earned her an early release. Free, she is now intent on revenge.

This is an excellent film that is a must watch.

[MasterChaosTV]

Not only my favorite Vengeance film, but my favorite Asian film of all time. A gorgeously realized, poetic, and epic journey of redemption that is simply stunning and unforgettable.

[davidsantacarla]

This is really one of my favorite Korean films. Is it horror? No, but there are horrific twists to this tale. Beautifully done and man, what a soundtrack!

[barbrotherssardegna]

Weakest? This is the most beautiful and poetic of the trilogy and the ending is amazing. Every one loves Olboy because of is "occidental style" and action sequence. Lady veangence is pure art and in my opinion is superior to Oldboy.

[fredd]

This movie (which I love) turned me into a fan of Lee Young-ae. Recently she was great in Inspector Koo, one of the best k-dramas I've seen in recent years : it's a crime drama with a lot of humor, with great direction and at only 12 episodes, it doesn't overstay its welcome. Highly recommended !

[lastlife]

Lady vengeance was definitely my favourite from the vengeance trilogy. Watching this after Jewel in the palace is a bit jarring but it really shows Lee Young-ae's versatility as an actress.

[aikaterineillt]

My personal favorite of the vengeance trilogy

[TheLadySky]

The stylization of this movie did bother me a bit. Especially towards the end when they show very shocking tapes, but the movie is still coming off with a goofy Kill Bill vibe. Overall it was still a good movie, just would have prefered for that aspect to be toned down a bit. The lead actress was great.

[isaacmartinez]

I saw this movie before. It was shocking and amazing at the same time.

[pinheadhell]

Chan Wook Park is amazing, we need more movies from him. I haven't watched his TV series though.

[workingbeauty]

When I was in my twenties this was my favourite of the trilogy and I hated “sympathy for mr vengeance”. I recently got the arrow set and rewatched them. Now interestingly I thought the first one to be brilliant. And Lady vengeance to be weaker in comparison... however it is like comparing apples and oranges. The first one is a drama, oldboy is more of a horror movie, and lady is the softest most quirky movie... in a way I love all of them