Park first gained recognition in the Korean film industry for his screenwriting, having written the screenplays for directors Kim Jee-woon's I Saw the Devil (2010) and Ryoo Seung-wan's The Unjust (2010).
[7] In the meantime, Park won a synopsis contest hosted by Sidus HQ, which opened doors for him in the film industry.
[11] "When Choi Min-shik first approached me with this project I was working on a different film, but it got delayed for a year and I thought I couldn’t just rest and do nothing.
So I was in a bit of a dilemma when exactly at this moment Choi, who plays the serial killer in the film, came to me with this script, and suddenly everything fell into place.
[17][18]The Unjust is a South Korean action crime film that presents a dark and acrid critique of corruption in the country's justice system.
The film also reunites lead actors Hwang Jung-min and Ryoo Seung-bum, who had previously worked together in Bloody Tie (2006).
"The scenario and actors are good, but change the director and genre", or "Noir is not a box office hit, so let's cut the production cost."
Despite the initial challenges, New World managed to attract a total audience of 4.68 million, according to the integrated computer network of the Korea Film Commission.
[7][33] New World stars Lee Jung-jae, Choi Min-sik, Hwang Jung-min, Park Sung-woong, and Song Ji-Hyo.
[42] Although the film did not perform as well as expected at the box office, it has been widely acclaimed for its high-quality production and impressive use of CG work to vividly bring the Joseon tiger to life on screen.
The plot revolves around Ja-yoon (played by Kim Da-mi), a high school student who loses all memory after escaping alone from a facility where a mysterious accident resulted in multiple deaths.
Major Korean distributors found the film difficult due to it being female-led with a new actress and a budget of 6 billion won.
Park Hoon-jung is a director that deserves full attention for his ability to combine the writing of original screenplays with the creation of complex characters that are never stereotypical, together with impressive and masterly directorial skills.
In September 2020, Warner Bros. Korea withdrew from the Korean film industry due to poor results in its recent productions.
[54] In November 2020, Geumwol and Studio&NEW, a content production affiliate of the media group NEW, signed an equity investment contract.
Tae-goo seeks revenge after his sister and niece are murdered, resulting in his brutal killing of Chairman Doh and his men from the Bukseong gang.
[57] Night in Paradise had its premiere on September 3, 2020, at the 77th Venice International Film Festival, where it was screened as part of the "Out of Competition" category.
In October 2020, it was reported that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Next Entertainment World was considering releasing the film directly on Netflix instead of in theaters.
The Subversion' sequel faced significant difficulties when Warner Bros. Korea withdrew from the Korean film industry.
[62][63][64] In the end of 2021, Park wrote and direct an action-noir film The Childe (originally titled Sad Tropics).
[66] Park is known for his unique and distinct directing style, which often involves visually stunning and intense action sequences, complex characters, and intricate plotlines.
[67][68] He is particularly skilled at creating tension and suspense, using a combination of music, cinematography, and editing to build a sense of unease and anticipation.
He places a strong emphasis on realistic and gritty depictions of violence and crime, which often make his films intense and emotionally charged.
Park cited Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece The Godfather as one of his favourite films and a major influence on his work.
Since Park was greatly influenced by these films and they belonged to a similar genre that he enjoyed, it was impossible for him to break away from them completely.
For example, in his film New World, Park uses a triangular structure to explore the power struggle between three characters: an undercover cop, a gangster, and the head of a crime syndicate.
[80] Similarly, in The Unjust, Park uses a triangular structure to depict the corruption and moral decay of three characters: a prosecutor, a detective, and a businessman.
By using this triangular structure, Park is able to create complex and nuanced characters who are in conflict with each other, while also exploring larger themes such as power, control, and morality.
This approach is rare in Korean cinema and showcases Park's ability to push boundaries and create more complex narratives.
Chung is known for his exceptional use of lighting and camera work, and his visual style has been a strong match for Park's films.