Oldboy Ending Explained, Plot Summary, Cast, and More
by Rubaditsha
Updated Apr 21, 2023
Oldboy Ending Explained
"Oldboy" is a South Korean film directed by Park Chan-wook and released in 2003. The film follows the story of Oh Dae-su, who is imprisoned for 15 years without explanation and then released. As he tries to uncover the truth behind his imprisonment, he is led down a path of violence and revenge. The film's ending is notoriously ambiguous, so here is an explanation of what happens:
In the final scene, Oh Dae-su meets Lee Woo-jin, the man who had orchestrated his imprisonment and subsequent release. Lee explains that he had orchestrated Oh Dae-su's imprisonment as a form of revenge for the accidental incestuous relationship that had occurred between them. Lee's sister had committed suicide after learning of their relationship, and Lee had blamed Oh Dae-su for her death.
Lee then gives Oh Dae-su a choice: he can either kill himself or he can continue to live and suffer the consequences of his actions. Oh Dae-su chooses to live and is shown sitting in a snow-covered field, holding his tongue with a pair of pliers as a form of penance for the things he had done.
The final shot of the film shows a hypnotized Oh Dae-su riding in the back of a van, seemingly unaware of his surroundings. It is unclear whether this is a flashback to an earlier scene or a new development, but it suggests that Oh Dae-su's mental state has deteriorated to the point where he is now under someone else's control.
Overall, the ending of "Oldboy" is open to interpretation and has sparked much debate among viewers. Some see it as a bleak and nihilistic conclusion, while others find a sense of hope in Oh Dae-su's decision to continue living and take responsibility for his actions.
Oldboy Where to watch?
At present, the movie "Oldboy" is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Lionsgate Play. Additionally, it can be purchased for download on Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Apple TV. For those who prefer to rent the movie, it can be rented on Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Apple TV online.
Oldboy 2003 Cast
Choi Min-sik
Dae-su Oh
Yoo Ji-tae
Woo-jin Lee
Kang Hye-jeong
Mi-do
Kim Byeong-Ok
Mr. Han
Dae-han Ji
No Joo-hwan
Dal-su Oh
Park Cheol-woong
Seung-shin Lee
Yoo Hyung-ja (as Seung-Shin Lee)
Jin-Seo Yoon
Lee Soo-ah
Tae-kyung Oh
Young Dae-su
Yoo Yeon-Seok
Young Woo-Jin (as Ahn Yeon-Seok)
Il-han Oo
Young Joo-hwan
Young-hee Lee
Clock Store Lady
Young-ae Kim
Elevator Lady
Mi Mi Lee
Dental Nurse
Jae-Duk Han
Night Teacher
Jung Ae Kwak
Nun Teacher
San Kim
Electronics Store Owner
Chae-soo Jang
Woo-jin's Doctor
Actor Name
Character Name
Oldboy Plot Twist
The plot twist in the film Oldboy is one of the most talked-about and controversial in cinema history. It is an unexpected revelation that changes the entire tone of the movie and leaves the audience stunned.
The twist occurs near the end of the film when the protagonist, Oh Dae-su, finally confronts his captor and tormentor, Lee Woo-jin. Throughout the film, Oh Dae-su has been seeking revenge on Woo-jin for imprisoning him for 15 years without explanation. Woo-jin has been toying with Dae-su's emotions and mind, causing him to suffer greatly.
When Dae-su finally confronts Woo-jin, he is given a choice: either find out the reason for his imprisonment or let Woo-jin kill the woman he loves, Mi-do. Dae-su chooses to find out the reason and is led to a hypnotist who reveals to him a shocking truth.
It is revealed that Dae-su and Woo-jin were classmates in high school, and Dae-su had witnessed Woo-jin and his sister, Lee Soo-ah, engaged in an incestuous relationship. Dae-su, not understanding what he had witnessed, told others at school about the incident, which resulted in Soo-ah being sent away to a mental institution and Woo-jin's life being ruined.
In retaliation, Woo-jin devised a plan to kidnap and imprison Dae-su for 15 years, brainwashing him and using him as a pawn in a larger scheme of revenge. Woo-jin's ultimate goal was to drive Dae-su to the brink of insanity and then reveal the truth to him, hoping that the shame and guilt would drive Dae-su to kill himself.
The revelation of the incestuous relationship between Woo-jin and his sister is a shocking and controversial twist that challenges the audience's perceptions of the characters and their motivations. It is a deeply disturbing revelation that raises questions about the nature of revenge and the lengths people will go to for it. The twist also adds a layer of complexity to the film's central themes of vengeance and redemption, forcing the audience to re-examine their assumptions and beliefs about these concepts.
Oldboy Plot Summary
The film Oldboy is a dark and sombre South Korean cult classic about revenge and the destructive nature of unbridled vengeance. The protagonist, Oh Dae-su, is abducted and incarcerated in a private prison for 15 long years with no explanation, human contact, or hope of escape.
He miraculously escapes and sets out to uncover the truth of his imprisonment. However, he soon realizes that his captor, Lee Woo-jin, is obsessed with causing him emotional pain and trauma, and his freedom was just part of a sick game. Lee Woo-jin controls Dae-su's every move, engineering his progress, and toying with him in increasingly perverse ways.
Dae-su falls in love with Mi-do, who is also under Lee Woo-jin's control, and the two try to escape, but their captor has put trackers on them and is aware of their every move. The reason for Lee Woo-jin's obsession with punishing Oh Dae-su is that he found Lee Woo-jin's sister, Lee Soo-ah, in a sexually intimate situation with her own brother, and innocently blurted it out before leaving the school.
Oldboy Ending Explained: FAQs
"Oldboy" is a South Korean movie directed by Park Chan-wook, released in 2003. It is a neo-noir revenge thriller and is known for its twisted plot and intense violence.
You can stream "Oldboy" on Amazon Prime Video and Lionsgate Play. It is also available for purchase as a download or rental on Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Apple TV.
It is not currently available for free on any legal streaming platform. However, it may be available for free on certain pirate sites, though we do not endorse or recommend using such sites.
Yes, "Oldboy" is available with English subtitles on all streaming and download platforms mentioned above. It may also be available with an English dub on certain platforms, though this is not recommended as it may detract from the original performances.