North Korea-South Korea conflict

His films like 'Joint Security Area' and 'The Handmaiden' intricately explore the psychological and political tensions arising from the division between North and South Korea.

Through films like 'Mother' and 'Snowpiercer,' he examines class conflict and systemic division that parallels the ideological split between the two Koreas.

His works such as 'Secret Sunshine' and 'Poetry' deeply probe the emotional and moral aftermath of Korea's historical divisions and conflicts on ordinary people.