Lee Sang-woo

Joon Hyeok is an unpopular musician whose life has hit rock bottom. He had already broken off his relationship with his older sister, Joon Hee, when her son appeared before him. His nephew developed Obsessive–compulsive disorder after his mother divorced his stepfather. Joon Hyeok takes his nephew in and looks after him. Joon Hee divorced her physically abusive husband after 12 years of marriage. She moved into an inexpensive apartment and now faces losing custody of her son to her ex-husband and his mother.

A collection of 24 films that take a look at the dark side of the festive season. 24 international directors with the most diverse ideas and styles; linked by short animated segments that deal with the Advent calendar itself.

Mi-ae, a middle aged woman is facing a midlife crisis not unlike those shared by countless others. A mother of three, the wife of a relatively prosperous bank executive, and a woman who enjoys a comfortably middle-class existence, Mi-ae grows increasingly frustrated by her two sons’ demeaning behavior towards her, her boorish husband’s unforgivable cheapness, and her own sadness at never having felt for herself the joys of true love — something she becomes acutely aware of when observing her estranged daughter’s loving relationship with another woman. After abruptly leaving a disastrous anniversary evening arranged by her thoughtless husband, Mi-ae meets the shy and kind Soo-nim, her youngest son’s schoolmate. Choosing to spend a long evening with Soo-nim rather than return home to the male members of her family, Mi-ae finds herself irresistibly drawn to this gentle young woman as a flood of emotions sweeps Mi-ae away on an unexpected journey of self-discovery.

A gay couple in Seoul confront the uncertain prospect of military service and a hidden past from North Korea.

A mother tries to appease the moods and demands of her borderline psychopathic son. When a new girl comes to town, her son falls quickly and deeply for the new girl and is determined to win her over possibly even against her will. When things take a tragic turn, his mother will stop at nothing to make her son happy even if it means finding a bride to join him in the afterlife.

Defying his mother's wishes to become a lawyer, a young daydreamer pursues his dream of opening a coffee shop, only to find that life, too, can be bittersweet.

A tale of an unconventional and illicit romance between a boy and girl suffering from handicaps.

Young-taek is a high school student. One day, a boy visits his house. It turns out that this boy is his father's lover. He can't believe that his father is gay but eventually accepts the fact. After he graduates from high school and attends university, he meets a senior classmate who becomes being in love with him. The senior classmate harasses him in the name of love. After he goes to serve in the army, he is sexually harassed by his sergeant who has a girlfriend. Young-taek has been homophobic, but after meeting different people, he reconsiders life and love.

In the winter of 2013, Yong-jun and Jae-sung, a member of the Korean People’s Army, Their sex scene is caught by the superior. After all, Yong-jun decided to defect from North Korea leaving Jae-sung.

Four brothers and the inevitable clash between their lives in modern day Seoul.

Four high school friends maintain their ties but finds themselves in very different situations when they reach 21. Chu-won was a promising athlete but, drinking heavily and unable to get past an old flame, he ruins his prospects. Goo-rim became on idol singer, but a drug scandal has seen him fall on hard times. Seo-won, as a medical student at a top university, was faring best among them, until he is diagnosed with leukemia and falls for a teenage escort from their old high school. Meanwhile, Dae-sung is a sex addict with a penchant for mature women who dreams of making his own film.

Ji-wol, a Buddist monk, is excommunicated because of an inappropriate affair with a female believer. He rapes and kills another woman and leaves with her ashes for the Philippines where her family lives. However, there he falls in love with her twin sister. A shocking interpretation of karma.

Three emotionally damaged brothers must deal with the aftermath of their father returning home from prison after serving time for sexual assault.

Woo-hyun lives a small time criminal life earning his life with pick-pocket. He often pays attention to an arrow-shaped-tattoo of his girlfriend which is on the genital area. He calls it 'the emergency exit.' Adopted Kim Young-ha's Emergency exit, the film captures helpless lost generation of current Korea.

EXIT Woo-hyun lives a small-time criminal life earning his life as a pick-pocket. He often pays attention to an arrow-shaped-tattoo of his girlfriend which is on the genital area. He calls it ‘the emergency exit.’ THE BODY Jung-su and Young-sun are a young couple. One new year’s eve, a movie director visits the couple’s house. Only the strong wind of the sea and slow time cross the living room and three people sense something…alive. WALTZING ON THUNDER Mi-jung just happens to meet a group of people who have survived from being struck by lightning. While becoming aware of her old wound, she takes part in a trip for lightning strikes ‘again’.

A father brings a 19-year-old Chinese boy to a house where he lives with his three sons. The father sleeps with the Chinese boy on the bed where their mother used to sleep. The father, Chinese boy and his three sons begin to live together. The father exploits the Chinese boy sexually and abuses his three sons. The three sons suddenly brings home a woman.

Steve, an American physician, arrives at Pohang airport with his 13-year-old daughter Barbie. Mangtak welcomes and takes them in his old car to his brother Mangwoo’s house. In Mangwoo’s house, Steve watches Soonyoung, a 13-year-old girl, Soonyoung is the practical supporter of the family as she takes care of Soonja, her younger sister and Mangwoo, her mentally disabled father. Steve has come to Pohang to adopt Soonyoung into his family. Soonyoung can’t accept the fact that a stranger is now going to be her father. All this is Mangtak’s scheme to make a huge sum of money by sending Soonyoung to the U.S.

A Thousand Days' Promise is a 2011 South Korean traditional melodrama about a woman who is losing her memory and the loving man who stands by her side. Written by famed drama writer Kim Soo-hyun, it aired on SBS from October 17 to December 20, 2011 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 for 20 episodes.

The title says it all for the bleak Korean indie Mother is a Whore. Do-all filmmaker Lee Sang Woo writes, produces, directs, and stars in this shocking drama about an impoverished HIV-positive man forced to pimp out his 60-year-old mother (Lee Yong Nyeo) to make ends meet. Angry about his mother's suffering and his own sickness, Sang Woo rages against his father (Kwon Bum Taek), who left them for a younger woman (Kim Ji Hee). It turns out his father's life isn't doing so well either with a fanatically religious wife and her dysfunctional children. A notable rising name in Korean indie cinema, Lee Sang Woo has drawn comparisons to early Kim Ki Duk with his dark family dramas Mother is a Whore and Father is a Dog.

Kim-Dusik, who committed a murder in Korea, fled to Manila and has lived there nearly 15 years. He lives with his Filipino wife, Medusa, and their 15-year old son, Philip. Dusik, his irresistible yearning for his mother, turns into violence inflicted on his son, and sexual abuse inflicted on his wife. He only looks forward to going back to Korea as the 15 year statute of limitations runs out. As Philip grows up he confronts his father about his mistreatment of his mother. Philip, in spite of himself, takes after his father's violent behavior. Medusa finds out that Dusik is leaving for Korea in a few months and begs him to take Philip with him to raise him as a Korean.