The Power of Kangwon Province

Released Apr 4, 1998

1h 49m

Drama

List

100%

Tomatometer

8 Reviews

82%

Audience Score

100+ Ratings

Recently separated lovers (Baek Jong-hak, Oh Yun-hong) have a series of close encounters at a popular mountain retreat.

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Richard Brody

New Yorker

The South Korean director Hong Sang-soo offers a coolly bracing drama of the mysterious bonds of lovers, and an original form to match...

Jun 14, 2021

Full Review

Manohla Dargis

New York Times

A master of ellipsis, Mr. Hong keeps Jisook and Sangkwon at such a remove that initially it seems as if we're watching unconnected stories, which is very much to his purpose.

Jun 9, 2021

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Derek Elley

Variety

Unlike many films centered on ennui and emotional rootlessness, it's never boring.

Feb 23, 2012

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Soham Gadre

Film Inquiry

The Power of Kangwon Province's mixture of routine human interactions built around a playful narrative structure works delightfully

Jul 17, 2021

Full Review

Glenn Heath Jr.

The Film Stage

Even if it lacks the deep melancholy and near-mystical sense of time found in Hong's greatest films, The Power of Kangwon Province impressively foreshadows his interest in situations that devour one's spirit.

Rated: B+

Jun 14, 2021

Full Review

Sean Gilman

The Chinese Cinema

Hong Sangsoo's second feature is more recognizably his work than his debut... funnier than The Day a Pig Fell Into the Well, and its men are less violent and less pathetic.

Jun 11, 2021

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Audience Member

Among the bright filmmakers to emerge from South Korean film's recent boom years such as Park Chan-wook (Old Boy and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance ), Bong Joon-ho (Tokyo!, The Host, Memories of Murder), Kim Ki-duk (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring and Samaritan Girl) and Lee Chang-dong (Oasis and Secret Sunshine), Hong Sang-soo is the most Frenchified contemporary Korean filmmaker. His tone is droll and his mode is detached. Beautifully photographed, this film is filled with crafty bits of cinephilia. However, this film is as Korean-specific as Chunhyang by Im Kwom-taek. This film is constantly and deeply suspicious of reunifications of any kind. This films is not just about the broken lovers. This is a portrait of a broken heart of politically and geographically divided Korea.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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Hong Sang-soo

Director

Baek Jong-hak

Sangkwon

Oh Yun-hong

Jisook

Kim Yu-seok

The Policeman

Jeon Jae-hyeon

Jaewan

Park Hyun-young

Eunkyoung

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Synopsis

Recently separated lovers (Baek Jong-hak, Oh Yun-hong) have a series of close encounters at a popular mountain retreat.

Director: Hong Sang-soo
Screenwriter: Hong Sang-soo
Distributor: ASC Distribution
Production Co: Miracin Korea Film Company
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Korean
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 4, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 17, 2017
Runtime: 1h 49m

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