Born in 1955 in Sokcho. He studied film directing at the École supérieure d′études cinématographiques (ESEC) in Paris, then worked as an assistant director to Lee Jang-ho before making his feature directorial debut with Chil-su and Man-su. He went on to become a leading figure in the Korean New Wave, addressing the realities of Korean society in films such as Black Republic (1990) and A Single Spark (1995). A Single Spark won Best Film and Best Director at the Blue Dragon Film Awards.