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IMDbPro

Memories of Murder

Original title: Salinui chueok
  • 20032003
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 2h 12m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
189K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
819
45
Memories of Murder (2003)
The digitally remastered film will be in theaters nationwide October 19th and October 20th for a two night limited theatrical engagement in partnership with Fathom Events.
Play trailer2:02
3 Videos
99+ Photos
CrimeDramaMystery
In a small Korean province in 1986, two detectives struggle with the case of multiple young women being found raped and murdered by an unknown culprit.In a small Korean province in 1986, two detectives struggle with the case of multiple young women being found raped and murdered by an unknown culprit.In a small Korean province in 1986, two detectives struggle with the case of multiple young women being found raped and murdered by an unknown culprit.
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
189K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
819
45
    • Bong Joon Ho
    • Bong Joon Ho
    • Kwang-rim Kim(play)
    • Sung-bo Shim
  • Stars
    • Song Kang-ho
    • Kim Sang-kyung
    • Roe-ha Kim
    • Bong Joon Ho
    • Bong Joon Ho
    • Kwang-rim Kim(play)
    • Sung-bo Shim
  • Stars
    • Song Kang-ho
    • Kim Sang-kyung
    • Roe-ha Kim
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 391User reviews
    • 176Critic reviews
    • 82Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #194
    • Awards

    Videos3

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:02
    Watch Official Trailer
    Main trailer
    Trailer 2:07
    Watch Main trailer
    Bong Joon-Ho – Making the Film You Want
    Clip 1:44
    Watch Bong Joon-Ho – Making the Film You Want

    Photos141

    Song Kang-ho and Kim Sang-kyung in Memories of Murder (2003)
    Memories of Murder (2003)
    Song Kang-ho and Kim Sang-kyung in Memories of Murder (2003)
    In-sun Jung in Memories of Murder (2003)
    Woo Go-na in Memories of Murder (2003)
    Woo Go-na in Memories of Murder (2003)
    Woo Go-na in Memories of Murder (2003)
    Woo Go-na in Memories of Murder (2003)
    Woo Go-na in Memories of Murder (2003)
    Woo Go-na in Memories of Murder (2003)
    Woo Go-na in Memories of Murder (2003)
    Memories of Murder (2003)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Song Kang-ho
    Song Kang-ho
    • Detective Park Doo-man
    Kim Sang-kyung
    Kim Sang-kyung
    • Detective Seo Tae-yoon
    Roe-ha Kim
    Roe-ha Kim
    • Detective Cho Yong-koo
    Jae-ho Song
    Jae-ho Song
    • Sergeant Shin Dong-chul
    Byun Hee-Bong
    Byun Hee-Bong
    • Sergeant Koo Hee-bong
    • (as Hie-bong Byeon)
    Seo-hie Ko
    Seo-hie Ko
    • Officer Kwon Kwi-ok
    Tae-ho Ryu
    • Jo Byeong-soon
    No-shik Park
    No-shik Park
    • Baek Gwang-ho
    Park Hae-il
    Park Hae-il
    • Park Hyeon-gyu
    Mi-seon Jeon
    Mi-seon Jeon
    • Kwok Seol-yung
    Young-hwa Seo
    Young-hwa Seo
    • Eon Deok-nyeo
    Woo Go-na
    • Kim So-hyeon
    Ok-joo Lee
    • Oh Nam-joo
    Jong-ryol Choi
    • Gwang-ho's father
    Seung-mok Yoo
    • Journalist
    Hun-Kyung Lee
    • Park Yeong-ja
    Shin Hyun-jong
    Shin Hyun-jong
    • Autopsy doctor
    Jae-eung Lee
    • Boy in Opening Scene
      • Bong Joon Ho
      • Bong Joon Ho
      • Kwang-rim Kim(play)
      • Sung-bo Shim
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Beginning in June 2000, it took Bong Joon Ho a year to write the script for Memories of Murder (2003), yet he has stated that: "For the first six months, I didn't write a line of the script. I just did research."
    • Goofs
      In the letter received from the FBI written in English, there are four spelling mistakes - 'examnation' instead of 'examination', 'insrumental' instead of 'instrumental', 'dateed' instead of 'dated' and 'Octorber' instead of 'October'.
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      Detective Park Doo-Man: Did you see his face?

      [Girl Nods]

      Detective Park Doo-Man: What did he look like?

      Schoolgirl: Well... kind of plain.

      Detective Park Doo-Man: In what way?

      Schoolgirl: Just... ordinary

    • Alternate versions
      The British DVD by Optimum Releasing has 5 minutes cut omitting the whole part of the film between the release of the last suspect and Detective Seo Tae-Yoon shadowing him. Therefore important scenes for the development of the story are missing, such as when the detectives are informed about the possibility of a DNA analysis of sperm found on one of the victim's clothes and that the sample has to be sent abroad because the required equipment is not in Korea. Also missing is the sequence where Detective Cho Yong-koo loses his leg and a scene with Kwok Seol-yung asking Detective Park Doo-Man to quit the police.
    • Connections
      Featured in Anasuya (2007)

    User reviews391

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Entertaining procedural thriller with tons of character.
    This movie is in the tradition of hard-boiled detective stories. A rag-tag bunch of largely incompetent police detectives are on the hunt for a serial killer and blunder their way through a thick-headed investigation. Although it's based on real events, it never falls into the trap of treating its characters as accurately portrayed historical figures and instead goes full-on with digging around in the dirt of the story.

    The recreation of 80s Korea is amazing. Everything is portrayed as cramped, squalid and thoroughly grimey. The cinematography is great all the way to the end, as is the music, costume, set design and acting. There is a good dose of comedy in many scenes, which I didn't expect in this sort of story. It works well.

    It's a rock-solid piece of cinema with characters that never fall into good guy / bad guy stereotypes. It's much more thoughtful than it initially lets on, hiding a complex theme behind a seemingly straightforward cop thriller. Will watch again.
    helpful•5
    0
    • Victor_Fallon
    • Jul 6, 2021

    FAQ6

    • Is this based on a real story?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 2, 2003 (South Korea)
      • South Korea
      • Official site
      • Korean
      • English
    • Also known as
      • South Korea
    • Production companies
      • Sidus
      • CJ Entertainment
      • Muhan Investment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 2 hours 12 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Digital

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