A Giant of Korean Cinema
Kim Jee-woon is recognized as a key force in the resurgence of South Korean film. In the summer of 2026, retrospectives have revisited six of his landmark titles: The Quiet Family (1998), The Foul King (2000), A Tale of Two Sisters (2003), A Bittersweet Life (2005), The Good, the Bad, the Weird (2008), and Cobweb (2023). Yet among them, one movie rises above the rest: I Saw the Devil, which holds the highest audience rating of Kim Jee-woon’s career on AlloCiné, the French film site.
The Relentless Grudge of “I Saw the Devil”
When I Saw the Devil premiered sixteen years ago, audiences were left stunned. Kim Jee-woon brought together Choi Min-sik and Lee Byung-hun in a brutal, unforgettable duel of wits and violence. The film follows a secret service agent (Lee Byung-hun) as he tracks down his fiancée’s murderer (Choi Min-sik), determined to make the killer suffer as deeply as he once did—even at the cost of losing his own humanity.
With more than 6,300 ratings and almost 700 reviews on AlloCiné, I Saw the Devil has earned a 4.3 out of 5 average from viewers, topping the director’s filmography with its unflinching storytelling and visceral impact.
What Viewers Say: An Unforgettable Impact
NeoLain from Club AlloCiné (5/5): “Kim Jee-woon, one of Korea’s most gifted and daring directors, shakes up the thriller genre yet again. It’s intense, original, smart, and polished. Choi Min-sik and Lee Byung-hun hammer the audience’s senses with unforgettable performances. The realism is staggering and the cinematography leaves a lasting impression. Hollywood might just lose its composure over a film like this.”
Kouto (5/5): “A gripping thriller from Kim Jee-woon, expertly balancing suspense and tension. The uncompromising violence grabs you from the start and never lets go.”
Shephard69 from Club AlloCiné (5/5): “An epic, commanding confrontation between Lee Byung-hun and Choi Min-sik. Both actors deliver powerhouse performances in a crime film marked by striking direction and pulse-pounding momentum. The violence is extreme, but the skill on display is absolute. A monumental work.”
Romano31 (5/5): “Every Kim Jee-woon film I’ve seen has left a lasting impact, from A Tale of Two Sisters to A Bittersweet Life or The Good, the Bad, the Weird. I Saw the Devil is a double hit: fierce, brutal, and driven by a vengeance that won’t stop until the end. Lee Byung-hun and Choi Min-sik deliver their most stunning performances. The film hurts, but it’s also strangely beautiful, with a message that in revenge, no one truly wins. The meticulous direction and moving score stand out among Kim Jee-woon’s works. A must-see masterpiece of Korean and world cinema.”
Flotibo (5/5): “A massive cinematic wake-up call, right up there with Oldboy. Kim Jee-woon, already known for A Bittersweet Life, delivers again with a thriller that’s both shockingly violent and expertly made. It’s not for the faint-hearted. The showdown between Lee Byung-hun and Choi Min-sik alone is worth the watch, and the plot will keep audiences hooked. A true gem.”
The Kim Jee-woon Effect: Sheer Cinematic Power
Kim Jee-woon’s reputation as a cinematic powerhouse remains unchallenged, and I Saw the Devil stands as the film that floored audiences and critics alike. It’s shocking in its violence, meticulous in its construction, and unexpectedly powerful in its message. In Kim Jee-woon’s hands, even the darkest stories become must-see art that stays with you long after the credits roll.
