Epitaph (2007 film)


Epitaph is a 2007 South Korean film directed by brothers Jung Sik and Jung Bum-shik. The film is a horror film set primarily in 1942, while Korea was under the colonial rule of Japan. It is framed by scenes set in 1979.

Plot

Dr. Park Jung-nam finds a photo album dating back to his days as an intern at the Ansaeng Hospital. This triggers memories of his life. In 1942, as a young medical intern, Jung-nam's arranged marriage ended when his fiancée, whom he had never met, committed suicide. Later he was assigned to monitor the morgue late at night. There he fell in love with a corpse, which is later revealed as the body of his deceased fiancée. Soon other mysterious events take place in the hospital, involving a young girl haunted by ghosts and a serial killer targeting Japanese soldiers.

Cast

  • Kim Bo-kyung as Kim In-yeong
  • Jin Goo as Park Jeong-nam
  • Lee Dong-kyu as Lee Su-In
  • Kim Tae-woo as Kim Dong-won
  • Ko Joo-yeon as Asako
  • Park Ji-a as mother
  • David McInnis as father
  • Kim Ju-hyeon as Aoi
  • Kim Eung-soo as Akiyama
  • Choi Jae-hwan as Jae-hwan
  • Jeon Moo-song as Professor Park Jung-nam
  • Choi Dae-woong as Professor Jung
  • Jung Ji-ahn as Nurse Choi
  • Ye Soo-jung as Director of Ansang Hospital
  • Kong Ho-suk as Japanese General
  • Son Young-soon as old woman
  • Kim Ja-young as head nurse
  • Uhm Tae-goo as Japanese soldier 1
  • Son In-yong as Japanese soldier 2

    Critical reception

The cinematography, directing and acting by horror film mainstays Kim Eung-soo and Ye Soo-jeong have earned the film praise as "visually as well as intellectually impressive, with some gorgeous cinematography and wonderfully composed shots," and "a significant contribution to rehabilitating K-horror's international reputation."

Awards and nominations

  • Best Cinematography: Yoon Nam-joo
  • Best Art Direction: Kim Yu-jeong, Lee Min-bok
  • Nomination - Best New Director: Jung Sik, Jung Bum-shik
  • Nomination - Best Lighting: Kim Ji-hoon
  • Nomination - Technical Award: Kim Sang-bum, Kim Jae-bum
2007 Korean Association of Film Critics Awards
  • Best New Director: Jung Sik, Jung Bum-shik
2007 Korean Film Awards
  • Nomination - Best Art Direction: Kim Yu-jeong, Lee Min-bok
  • Nomination - Best Sound: Jang Gwang-su, Seo Yeong-jun
  • Nomination - Best New Actress: Ko Joo-yeon
2007 Director's Cut Awards
  • Best New Director: Jung Sik, Jung Bum-shik
2008 Asian Film Awards
  • Nomination - Best Art Direction: Kim Yu-jeong, Lee Min-bok
2008 Baeksang Arts Awards
  • Nomination - Best New Director: Jung Sik, Jung Bum-shik
2008 Grand Bell Awards
  • Nomination - Best Music: Park Yeong-ran
  • Nomination - Best Visual Effects: Kim Gwang-su
2008 Golden Cinematography Awards