Based on the first ‘real case of serial murder’ in South Korea, Memories of Murder is a crime thriller directed by Bong Joon-ho (Parasite, The Host). Before the release of Bong’s newest film Mickey 17, join us for a screening of his second feature, Memories of Murder, at the Chinatown Cinema!

“What kind of detective sleeps well?” - Detective Park Doo-man

Memories of Murder follows two detectives investigating a series of murders in the country town of Hwaseong in the late 1980s. Local detective Park Doo-man, played by Bong Joon-ho’s frequent collaborator Song Kang-ho, has never encountered a case like this and quickly finds himself overwhelmed. The arrival of Seo Tae-yoon (Kim Sang-kyung), a Seoul-trained cop, brings tension and conflict, as their contrasting investigative styles clash. As the killer continues to terrorize the otherwise quiet town, the two detectives struggle to work together.

Set against the backdrop of South Korea’s authoritarian rule and broader civil unrest of the 1980s, the film explores themes of justice, societal norms, and the human condition. When Bong Joon-ho began developing the film, the real-life murders remained unsolved, which led him to focus on the psychological and societal impact of the case rather than following a conventional crime thriller structure centered on forensic details.

“There’s an old tradition of crime movies in Korean cinema which are rather different from plot-oriented Hollywood thrillers, and I wanted to make something of that sort. The old-style Korean movies are essentially humane and emotional—that’s what I like about them . . . I like seeing how people behave when they’re caught up in crime.” - Bong Joon Ho

Film: Memories of Murder 살인의 추억

Director: Bong Joon-ho

Rating: MA15+ (Strong violence, Adult themes)

Run Time: 132 mins

Language: Korean with English Subtitles