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Peppermint Candy
박하사탕
2000 131 min Japan, South Korea 18+
★7.7
Drama
Director: Lee Chang-dong
Trailers
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Description
In the spring of 1999, a group of old friends gather to celebrate their 20 year reunion. Among the group is Yeong-ho, a cold, unhappy man, whose demeanor puts a damper on the festivities. The seriousness of Yeong-ho's depression becomes apparent when he climbs a railroad bridge and looks like he might jump. At this crucial moment, memories of seven crucial episodes from Yeong-ho's past flood his mind.
Starring
Sul Kyung-gu
Actor
Kim Yeo-jin
Actor
Moon So-ri
Actor
Awards
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2000
— Special Jury Prize
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2000
— NETPAC Award – Special Mention
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2000
— Don Quixote Prize
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2000
— Don Quixote Prize
Key opinion
Peppermint Candy is a powerful, innovative drama that uses a reverse-chronology narrative to trace the erosion of a man's innocence against the backdrop of modern South Korean history. It is widely praised for its psychological depth, emotional honesty, and its ability to bridge personal tragedy with significant social and political change.
| Screenplay | The innovative reverse-chronology structure effectively transforms a character study into a compelling exploration of trauma and causality. | |
| Emotion | The film succeeds in balancing the protagonist’s complex status as both a victim of his environment and a perpetrator of cruelty without resorting to emotional manipulation. | |
| Production | The meticulous recreation of late-20th-century Korean locations and small-life details provides a grounded, authentic sense of place. | |
| Direction | While some find the film an avant-garde masterpiece of emotional sincerity, others perceive the execution as slightly imperfect compared to the director's later, more refined works. |