Oldboy’s most disturbing scene is the key to nailing Oldboy 2

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Laugh and others will join you; cry and you’ll cry alone.” Despite no official request, whispers suggest Oldboy 2 might be in production. If it does happen, there’s one pivotal scene that could perfectly capture the essence of following up on Park Chan-wook’s masterpiece.

One can hardly underestimate the profound influence that the film Oldboy, released in 2003 as part of Chan-wook’s Revenge Trilogy, has had on contemporary cinema. For years, Hollywood has struggled to emulate its unique blend of high style and revenge plotlines.

Critics might categorize it as an action-thriller, but true connoisseurs understand it’s actually a chilling psychological horror with one of the most shocking twist endings of the 21st century. Now, industry expert DanielRPK claims that “a follow-up to the original Korean ‘Oldboy’ movie is in production.

Indeed, the film is a follow-up and Spike Lee revisited the tale in his leisurely 2013 English adaptation. However, despite no one requesting it, there exists a method to create an effective sequel – and it begins by comprehending what made the original so indelible.

Oldboy’s octopus scene holds the secret to a worthy sequel

In order for any subsequent scenes or sequences to be consistent with Oldboy’s raw authenticity, both in terms of physical intensity and emotional depth, there is no moment that encapsulates this essence better than the film’s famous octopus scene.

The story unfolds as Oh Dae-su, having just been freed from 15 years behind bars, steps into a sushi restaurant and requests an Octopus dish. What follows is not a clever trick using CGI or prosthetics; instead, actor Choi Min-sik truly consumed four live octopuses – one for each take.

During the filming of this particular scene, the actor encountered several hurdles, with the initial one being the unpalatable taste. A behind-the-scenes extra on the Oldboy DVD shows Min-sik, Chan-wook, and their team discussing solutions, ultimately deciding to add salt in an attempt to improve it – yet, this only worsened the problem.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that despite being a Buddhist, he is seen consuming octopus in one video. In another, he can be observed holding the octopus at eye level and expressing remorse by saying, “I apologize.

The hard work they put in was worth it: the outcome was an intense, indelible moment – one that truly signaled the agonizing quest for revenge of Oh Dae-su. It’s not just for shock value, but rather a focused, near ceremonial dedication to authenticity.

A sequel should not solely depend on advanced visual effects or flashy displays. Instead, it should resonate deeply with the audience, much like how Chan-wook’s Vengeance Trilogy, encompassing Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and Lady Vengeance, does.

In these movies, there’s no continuity in the storyline, but they possess a common thematic thread: themes of suffering as a form of sacrifice, violence portrayed as an art form, and characters who are profoundly damaged. If Oldboy 2 wishes to avoid the same pitfalls as Lee’s remake, it must delve into this cinematic realm.

2013’s adaptation of Oldboy missed the mark primarily due to a lack of that special ingredient. Rather than offering a unique take on the original’s bold essence, it attempted to transform it into a typical Hollywood production. The violence was stylish yet impersonal, the mood was inconsistent, and most disappointingly, it opted for safety over risk-taking. That’s not what Oldboy represents or should represent.

In 2025, I believe we can craft a film that harks back to the original’s raw, unapologetic spirit. Films like Julia Ducournau’s Titane or Lars von Trier’s The House That Jack Built show us this is possible. These movies don’t shy away; they provoke, they unsettle, and they do so with intent.

For Oldboy 2 to succeed – which is by no means guaranteed – it must re-embrace its gritty roots. It requires an actor capable of enduring pain, a filmmaker unconcerned with box office success, and sequences that are unsettling not for their graphic nature, but because they resonate as authentic experiences.

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2025-07-01 14:19