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Memories of Murder

Original title: Salinui chueok
  • 2003
  • Not Rated
  • 2h 12m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
241K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
529
134
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
Dark ComedyKorean DramaPolice ProceduralSerial KillerTrue CrimeCrimeDramaMysteryThriller

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.

  • Director
    • Bong Joon Ho
  • Writers
    • Bong Joon Ho
    • Kwang-rim Kim
    • Sung-bo Shim
  • Stars
    • Song Kang-ho
    • Kim Sang-kyung
    • Kim Roe-ha
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    241K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    529
    134
    • Director
      • Bong Joon Ho
    • Writers
      • Bong Joon Ho
      • Kwang-rim Kim
      • Sung-bo Shim
    • Stars
      • Song Kang-ho
      • Kim Sang-kyung
      • Kim Roe-ha
    • 467User reviews
    • 188Critic reviews
    • 82Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #194
    • Awards
      • 33 wins & 10 nominations total

    Videos3

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

    Photos146

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 143
    View Poster

    Top cast83

    Edit
    Song Kang-ho
    Song Kang-ho
    • Detective Park Doo-man
    Kim Sang-kyung
    Kim Sang-kyung
    • Detective Seo Tae-yoon
    Kim Roe-ha
    Kim Roe-ha
    • Detective Cho Yong-koo
    Song Jae-ho
    Song Jae-ho
    • Sergeant Shin Dong-chul
    Byun Hee-Bong
    Byun Hee-Bong
    • Sergeant Koo Hee-bong
    • (as Hie-bong Byeon)
    Ko Seo-hie
    Ko Seo-hie
    • Officer Kwon Kwi-ok
    • (as Seo-hie Ko)
    Ryu Tae-ho
    Ryu Tae-ho
    • Jo Byeong-soon
    Park No-shik
    Park No-shik
    • Baek Gwang-ho
    • (as Park No-sik)
    Park Hae-il
    Park Hae-il
    • Park Hyeon-gyu
    Jeon Mi-seon
    Jeon Mi-seon
    • Kwok Seol-yung
    Seo Young-hwa
    Seo Young-hwa
    • Eon Deok-nyeo
    • (as Young-hwa Seo)
    Woo Go-na
    • Kim So-hyeon
    Ok-joo Lee
    • Oh Nam-joo
    Choi Jong-ryul
    • Gwang-ho's father
    Yoo Seung-mok
    • Journalist
    Hun-Kyung Lee
    • Park Yeong-ja
    Shin Hyun-jong
    Shin Hyun-jong
    • Autopsy doctor
    Lee Jae-eung
    • Boy in Opening Scene
    • (as Jae-eung Lee)
    • Director
      • Bong Joon Ho
    • Writers
      • Bong Joon Ho
      • Kwang-rim Kim
      • 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 reviews467

    Featured review
    8/10

    Must See

    After two women are found dead in a rural community, a detective arrives from the big city to help out. Things quickly mushroom with the discovery of more bodies, more suspects and no end in sight.

    Whether you like police films or not you should see this movie about the real hunt for Korea's first known serial killer simply because its a great movie. This is a movie that alters your expectations and changes your view of things. Its impossible to guess whats going to happen simply because the twists and turns are so unexpected. At times this is a funny funny movie, especially if you like shows like Law and Order or CSI since what we take for granted in those shows is stood on its head. At other times this is a very taut thriller and you become as desperate as the police in needing to put an end to the madness.

    On top of all of this is a picture of Korea in 1986, a place with political unrest and civil defense drills that for me at least makes it seem like something out of the 1950's.

    This is brilliant brilliant film-making.

    I've given the film an 8 out of 10, even though it probably deserves to be higher, simply because some 12 hours after seeing the film, I'm still pondering what I thought of it, how good is it? At least an 8. I'm sure a second and third and fourth viewings will change my mind.

    Yea its that good
    • dbborroughs
    • Dec 9, 2004
    • Permalink

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    FAQ21

    • How long is Memories of Murder?Powered by Alexa
    • Is this based on a real story?

    Details

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

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $2,800,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $15,357
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,487
      • Jul 17, 2005
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,210,156
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 12 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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