When was Oldboy released in the Philippines?

Oldboy has a listed theatrical release in the Philippines on September 23, 2009. The film first premiered on November 21, 2003.

Who stars in Oldboy (2003)?

Choi Min-sik plays Oh Dae-su, Yoo Ji-tae plays Lee Woo-jin and Kang Hye-jung plays Mi-do. The supporting cast includes Kim Byeong-ok, Ji Dae-han, Oh Dal-su and Yoon Jin-seo. Park Chan-wook directs.

What is Oldboy about?

A man is imprisoned in a sealed room for 15 years without being told why. After his sudden release, he has five days to find out who locked him up and the reason behind it.

How long is Oldboy and what is its rating in the Philippines?

Oldboy runs 120 minutes. In the Philippines it carries an R-18 classification, so it is for adult viewers only.

Oldboy (2003): Plot, Cast & Where to Watch in PH

Oldboy Plot: What Is the Movie About?

Oh Dae-su is an ordinary man until the day he is locked away in a sealed room. Nobody tells him why. Nobody tells him who is responsible. Days turn into years, and his only companions are a television, his own anger and the slow passing of time. Then, after fifteen years, he is suddenly set free with no explanation.

The film’s tagline sums up the setup: “15 years of imprisonment, five days of vengeance.” Dae-su now has a short window to work out who stole more than a decade of his life, and why. He keeps track of everything in a notebook and pieces together clues from his past. Along the way he crosses paths with Mi-do, a young woman drawn into his search, and with Lee Woo-jin, a figure tied to the mystery.

What starts as a hunt for revenge becomes a tense, often unsettling investigation into memory, guilt and how far a person will go for answers. This page stays at the premise, so the story’s revelations are left for you to discover.

Oldboy — Mood illustration, not a still from the film — Mood illustration, not a still from the film

What Makes Oldboy Notable: Cast, Director and Context

Director: Oldboy is directed by Park Chan-wook, who co-wrote the screenplay with Hwang Jo-yoon and Im Joon-hyung. The story is based on a manga.

Main cast:

Choi Min-sik as Oh Dae-su
Yoo Ji-tae as Lee Woo-jin
Kang Hye-jung as Mi-do
Kim Byeong-ok as Mr. Han
Ji Dae-han as No Joo-hwan
Oh Dal-su as Park Cheol-woong
Yoon Jin-seo as Lee Soo-ah
Oh Tae-kyung as young Dae-su
Yoo Yeon-seok as young Woo-jin

Genre and tone: Oldboy is a South Korean thriller and mystery made in Korean. It blends neo-noir atmosphere with flashes of dark comedy, raw martial-arts action and philosophical questions about sin, time and loneliness. The film runs 120 minutes.

Context: The film first premiered on November 21, 2003. Its production companies are Show East, Egg Film and Cineclick Asia. Oldboy has since been remade, and the original remains a key title for anyone exploring Korean cinema beyond K-dramas.

Looking for an Oldboy review? Drama4U shows its own Drama4U Score on this page. This guide focuses on what to expect: a dark, intense revenge story with mature content that is not for everyone.

Who Will Enjoy Oldboy?

Fans of revenge thrillers and neo-noir mysteries with a slow-burning puzzle at their core
Viewers curious about Park Chan-wook’s work or classic Korean cinema
Adults comfortable with violence, torture and heavy psychological themes
Audiences who like stylish action mixed with dark humor
Movie lovers who enjoy stories that raise questions about guilt, memory and vengeance

Oldboy Release Date in the Philippines and Where to Watch

Philippine release: Oldboy has a listed theatrical release in the Philippines on September 23, 2009, with an R-18 classification. The film is for adult viewers only.

Where to watch in the Philippines: Streaming options for the Philippines are not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data as of October 24, 2026. Check local streaming and rental services for updates, as availability can change.

Trailer: A trailer for Oldboy is available. It is a good way to get a feel for the film’s tone before committing to the full 120 minutes.

Trailer

Cast

Choi Min-sikas Oh Dae-suSee credits →
Yoo Ji-taeas Lee Woo-jin
Kang Hye-jungas Mi-do
Kim Byeong-okas Mr. Han
Ji Dae-hanas No Joo-hwan
Oh Dal-suas Park Cheol-woong
Lee Seung-shinas Yoo Hyung-ja
Yoon Jin-seoas Lee Soo-ah

Photo: TMDB

FAQ

When was Oldboy released in the Philippines?: Oldboy has a listed theatrical release in the Philippines on September 23, 2009. The film first premiered on November 21, 2003.
Where can I watch Oldboy in the Philippines?: Streaming platforms for Oldboy in the Philippines are not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data as of October 24, 2026. Check local streaming and rental services for updates.
Who stars in Oldboy (2003)?: Choi Min-sik plays Oh Dae-su, Yoo Ji-tae plays Lee Woo-jin and Kang Hye-jung plays Mi-do. The supporting cast includes Kim Byeong-ok, Ji Dae-han, Oh Dal-su and Yoon Jin-seo. Park Chan-wook directs.
What is Oldboy about?: A man is imprisoned in a sealed room for 15 years without being told why. After his sudden release, he has five days to find out who locked him up and the reason behind it.
How long is Oldboy and what is its rating in the Philippines?: Oldboy runs 120 minutes. In the Philippines it carries an R-18 classification, so it is for adult viewers only.

Sources

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