Jang Joon-hwan

Life and career

A graduate of Sungkyunkwan University, Jang's first directing job was on the 1994 short film 2001 Imagine. His feature-length debut was the science fiction film Save the Green Planet! (2003), considered one of the most unique and original films in the history of Korean cinema. Jang won Best Director at the 4th Busan Film Critics Awards, and the Special Silver St. George for Best Director at the 25th Moscow International Film Festival.

He directed two more short films Hair (2004), and Love for Sale (2010, as part of the omnibus Camellia, about the past, present and future of the city Busan). Then, in 2013, Jang's long-awaited second feature film was released, a revenge thriller titled Hwayi: A Monster Boy.

In 2017, he directed a political thriller film titled 1987: When the Day Comes. The film was a critical and commercial success, and won Best Director and Best Film at the 9th KOFRA Film Awards, as well as Best Film at the 39th Blue Dragon Film Awards.

In May 2020, Jang was set to direct an English-language remake of his film Save the Green Planet!, with Will Tracy adapting the screenplay. However, Jang later stepped down as director due to health problems, although he remained an executive producer on the project. By February 2024, it was revealed that Yorgos Lanthimos would replace Jang as director. By October 2024, the film was retitled Bugonia, prior to being scheduled for a limited release in the United States on October 24, 2025, before a wide release on October 31.

Personal life

Jang married actress Moon So-ri on December 24, 2006.

Filmography

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. "JANG Joon-hwan".
2. "25th Moscow International Film Festival (2003)". MIFF.
3. Baek, Jong-hyun. (18 January 2013). "Meet the Monster in HWAYI". [[Korean Film Council]].
4. Tae, Sang-joon. (4 September 2013). "JANG Joon-hwan Returns with HWAYI". [[Korean Film Council]].
5. Hwang, Hei-rim. (30 September 2013). "JANG Joon-hwan Returns". Korean Cinema Today.
6. (May 7, 2020). "Korean Cult Hit ''Save the Green Planet!'' Set for Remake from CJ Entertainment, Ari Aster's Square Peg". [[Valence Media]].
7. Hall, Rachel. (2024-11-04). "Korean cinema in ‘precarious period’ due to Netflix, says Jang Joon-hwan". The Guardian.
8. (February 19, 2024). "Yorgos Lanthimos Sets Remake of Korean Fantasy Film ''Save the Green Planet'' with ''Poor Things'' Producer Element Pictures (Exclusive)". [[Penske Media Corporation]].
9. Park, Soomee. (October 4, 2024). "'Bugonia': How Ari Aster, 'Succession' Writer Will Tracy and Yorgos Lanthimos Came Together to Remake a Korean Sci-Fi Classic".
10. D'Alessandro, Anthony. (May 1, 2025). "Emma Stone & Jesse Plemons Movie 'Bugonia' From Yorgos Lanthimos Sets Fall Release".
11. (1 December 2006). "Actress, Director to Wed on Christmas Eve". [[The Chosun Ilbo]].
12. Wallace, Kali. (2024-12-11). "Save the Green Planet! — A Brutal, Slapstick Descent Into Humanity's Madness".
13. Frater, Patrick. (12 December 2012). "Hwayi marks return for Kim, Jang". [[Film Business Asia]].
14. Lee, Hye-ji. (3 May 2013). "Yeo Jin-goo's New Film Cranks Up". TenAsia.
15. Tae, Sang-joon. (4 September 2013). "JANG Joon-hwan Returns with HWAYI". [[Korean Film Council]].
16. Hwang, Hei-rim. (30 September 2013). "JANG Joon-hwan Returns". Korean Cinema Today.
17. "1987 (1987: When the Day Comes)". [[Cine21]].
18. Rooney, David. (2025-08-28). "‘Bugonia’ Review: Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons Battle Over Doomed Humanity in Yorgos Lanthimos’ Loopy Dark Comedy About Our Planet in Peril".
19. (14 December 2018). "EXO's D.O., Kim Tae Ri, and more win awards at the '18th Director's Cut Awards!".
20. (22 October 2018). "'Burning' wins best picture at Daejong Film Awards".