Lee Chang-dong

Lee Chang-dong was born in 1954 in Daegu, South Korea. He pursued a degree in Korean Literature from Kyungpook National University, graduating in 1981, and spent his early career teaching high school Korean while establishing himself as a novelist. His literary debut came with his first novel, “Chonri,” published in 1983. Lee transitioned into filmmaking later in life, making his directorial debut with “Green Fish” in 1997 at the age of 43, achieving immediate critical success.

His filmography as a director, though consisting of only six feature films over two decades, has earned him international acclaim. Notable works include “Peppermint Candy” (2000), which critiques the South Korean military dictatorship, and “Oasis” (2002), which received multiple awards including the Special Director’s Award at the Venice Film Festival. In 2003, Lee took a break from filmmaking to serve as South Korea’s Minister of Culture and Tourism until 2004. He returned to directing with “Secret Sunshine” (2007) and “Poetry” (2010), both of which were highly decorated at prestigious international film festivals.

Lee Chang-dong’s most recent feature, “Burning” (2018), garnered significant attention, becoming the first Korean film to be shortlisted for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards. Throughout his career, Lee has consistently explored themes of psychological trauma, alienation, and social commentary, often portraying marginalized characters and the pressures of Korean society. His work is characterized by a realistic and factual approach, with a focus on deeply human stories rather than overt political messages, which has cemented his reputation as a master storyteller in global cinema.