20 | Daisy 2006 Korean Movie
Movie Title: Daisy (2006)
Genre: Melodrama, Romance
Director: Park Kwang-chun
Starring: Jung Jin-young, Kim Se-ah, Lee Ha-na
Synopsis:
"Daisy" is a 2006 South Korean film that tells the story of Min-soo (played by Jung Jin-young), a man who becomes obsessed with finding a woman named Soo-jin (played by Kim Se-ah), whom he briefly dated 20 years ago. Min-soo's life has been stagnant since then, and he's been searching for Soo-jin ever since.
One day, Min-soo meets Soo-jin's niece, Hye-ju (played by Lee Ha-na), who bears a striking resemblance to her aunt. As Min-soo spends more time with Hye-ju, he becomes increasingly drawn to her and starts to see her as a second chance at love.
As the story unfolds, Min-soo's obsession with Soo-jin and his growing feelings for Hye-ju lead to a complex exploration of love, loss, and longing.
Themes:
- Unrequited love
- Longing and nostalgia
- Second chances at love
- Family relationships
Reception:
"Daisy" received mixed reviews from critics, but Jung Jin-young's performance was praised for its nuance and depth. The film also sparked conversations about the complexities of human relationships and the fragility of the human heart.
Trivia:
- The film's title, "Daisy", is a reference to the flower that Soo-jin used to pick and give to Min-soo during their brief romance 20 years ago.
- The movie was shot on location in Korea and China.
Rating:
- Rated 12 for mature themes and some brief strong language.
Runtime:
- 94 minutes.
Release Date:
- August 11, 2006 (Korea)
The 2006 South Korean film (데이지) is a romantic thriller directed by Andrew Lau that follows a tragic love triangle set in Amsterdam. The story revolves around a street artist, an undercover Interpol detective, and a professional hitman. Plot Summary
The Artist: Hye-young is a simple sidewalk artist who dreams of her own gallery exhibition. She spends her weekends painting portraits for tourists and is moved by a mysterious admirer who sends her daisies every day.
The Detective: Jeong-woo is an Interpol agent working undercover to track Asian criminals in the Netherlands. He approaches Hye-young and, though he is not the one sending the flowers, he allows her to believe he is to stay close to her.
The Hitman: Park Yi is a professional assassin for a Chinese crime syndicate. He is the true secret admirer who built a bridge for Hye-young and sends her flowers, but he remains in the shadows to protect her from the dangers of his profession. Key Features and Production
International Collaboration: The film is a South Korean-Hong Kong co-production, directed by Andrew Lau (famous for Infernal Affairs) and written by Felix Chong and Gordon Chan.
Director's Cut vs. Theatrical: There are significant differences between the Director's Cut and the original cinema version, including changes in the story's timeline, character ages, and specific plot details.
Atmosphere: The movie is noted for its melancholic and elusive romance, blending emotional drama with stylized action sequences typical of Hong Kong cinema. Cast: Jun Ji-hyun (Gianna Jun) as Hye-young Jung Woo-sung as Park Yi Lee Sung-jae as Jeong-woo
Watch the official trailer for this action-filled romantic thriller: Daisy - OFFICIAL TRAILER - Korean Action Thriller AsianCrush YouTube• Sep 16, 2010
The 2006 film is a visually stunning romantic melodrama directed by Andrew Lau (known for Infernal Affairs) and set against the picturesque backdrop of Amsterdam. It follows the intricate "love triangle" between a young painter, an undercover Interpol officer, and a professional assassin. Plot Overview
Hye-young (played by Jun Ji-hyun) is an optimistic artist who spends her days painting in the city square and her grandfather’s antique shop. She begins receiving pots of daisies from an anonymous admirer, whom she assumes is Jeong-woo (Lee Sung-jae), an Interpol detective she meets by chance.
Unbeknownst to her, the flowers actually come from Park Yi (Jung Woo-sung), a hitman who has been watching her from afar and protecting her in silence. The tragedy unfolds as Park Yi watches Jeong-woo inadvertently take credit for his gestures of love, while all three characters become entangled in a violent confrontation between the police and a criminal syndicate. Key Cinematic Elements
Visual Style: Utilizing his background in cinematography, Lau captures the Dutch countryside and city streets with a soft, ethereal palette that mirrors the "daisy" motif of innocence and hidden beauty. Daisy 2006 Korean Movie 20
Double Narrative: The film is uniquely structured, often showing the same events from different perspectives to highlight the misunderstandings and silent sacrifices made by the two male leads.
Performances: The movie is a notable collaboration between top-tier Korean talent and Hong Kong direction. Jun Ji-hyun delivers a poignant performance as a woman caught between a love she thinks she knows and a love that is literally life-saving but invisible. International Versions There are two primary cuts of the film:
Original Version: A standard theatrical cut focusing on the romance.
Director’s Cut: Features more character development and slightly different pacing, providing deeper insight into the hitman’s solitary life.
The Silent Language of Flowers: Revisiting " " (2006) 🌸 If you’re a fan of Korean cinema, you know that the early 2000s were a golden era for tragic romances that stayed with you long after the credits rolled. Among these gems is (2006), a visually arresting film directed by Andrew Lau (the mastermind behind Infernal Affairs ). Set against the picturesque, dream-like backdrop of
, this movie isn’t just a romance; it’s a high-stakes thriller wrapped in a "Spaghetti Western" aesthetic. The Story: A Tragic Triangle in Amsterdam The plot centers on (played by the luminous Jun Ji-hyun
), a street artist who dreams of her first solo exhibition. Her life is touched by a secret admirer who leaves a pot of daisies on her doorstep every day at 4:15 PM. She assumes her admirer is Lee Sung-jae
), an Interpol agent who approaches her in the city square. However, the sender of the flowers is Jung Woo-sung
), a professional hitman who watches her from afar but cannot confess his love due to his violent profession. Why We’re Still Talking About It 20 Years Later
While the film was released in 2006, it continues to find new audiences—especially as we approach its 20th anniversary. Here is what makes it a classic:
Introduction
"Daisy" is a 2006 South Korean film directed by Lee Jong-hak. The movie stars Jeon Do-yeon, Kim Jae-wook, and Cho Seung-woo.
Plot
The movie revolves around the story of two childhood friends, Min-soo (Kim Jae-wook) and Soo-jin (Jeon Do-yeon), who reconnect years later. Soo-jin is now a widow, and Min-soo is a former hitman. They plan to fake a car accident to collect Soo-jin's insurance money, but things don't go as planned.
Main Characters
- Jeon Do-yeon as Soo-jin
- Kim Jae-wook as Min-soo
- Cho Seung-woo
Themes
- Friendship
- Love
- Deception
Reception
"Daisy" received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the performances of the lead actors.
Availability
The movie is available in some Asian countries, but it may be harder to find in other regions. You can try searching for it on streaming platforms or purchasing a DVD/ digital copy.
Rating
The movie is rated 20, which is likely a reference to its 2006 release year or a Korean rating system.
The Unique Director: Why Andrew Lau Made Daisy Different
One reason Daisy stands out among 2006 Korean movies is its director. Andrew Lau was (and is) an action cinema legend in Hong Kong. Hiring him to direct a Korean romantic melodrama was a bold, unusual move. But it worked brilliantly.
Lau brought three key elements to Daisy:
- Action realism: The gunfights are not glamorous; they are quick, messy, and shocking.
- Visual storytelling: Influenced by his Infernal Affairs series, Lau trusts the camera to tell the story. Long, silent shots of Jung Woo-sung watching Jun Ji-hyun paint are more powerful than dialogue.
- Pacing: While typical Korean melodramas can linger, Lau keeps the film taut at just over two hours (or 2 hours 20 minutes for the extended cut). The tragedy unfolds with almost thriller-like tension.
20 Years Later: How Daisy Holds Up in 2026
Critical Reception: Then vs. Now
Upon release in 2006, Daisy received mixed reviews. Korean critics praised the performances and visuals but criticized the plot for being overly convenient and the love triangle for feeling forced. The film did moderately well at the box office but was not the blockbuster expected given its star power.
However, time has been kind to Daisy. In 2026, it is seen as a cult classic—a film that bridged the gap between old-school Korean melodrama and international co-productions. It is frequently listed alongside A Moment to Remember and The Classic as one of the defining romance films of the early 2000s. Unrequited love Longing and nostalgia Second chances at
Why the reappraisal? Because modern K-dramas often rely on 16-episode arcs and happy endings. Daisy offers a tight, 2-hour tragedy with no last-minute saves. It is unapologetically sad, beautifully shot, and features three actors at the peak of their powers. In an era of binge-watching, the tight, efficient emotional gut-punch of Daisy feels refreshing.