Kim Ki-duk

A virtuoso of Korean cinema, Kim Ki-duk was born in 1960 in Bonghwa, South Korea and started his directorial journey in 1996. Predominantly delving into the realms of drama, thriller, and crime, Kim was a master storyteller, with his internationally-acclaimed films like "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring" and "3-Iron" winning awards at major film festivals, including the Berlin and Venice International Film Festivals. His authorial style was characterized by minimal dialogue, exploration of human nature and spirituality, and exceptional use of symbolic imagery.

Kim Ki-duk, with his piercing gaze into the human soul and his poetic depiction of life's paradoxes, left an indelible mark on international cinema.