Daisy 2006 Korean Movie 20 | Newest WORKFLOW |
Directed by Andrew Lau (famed for the Infernal Affairs trilogy) and produced by the legendary Kwak Jae-yong (My Sassy Girl), Daisy is a unique hybrid: a Hong Kong-style action noir wrapped in a Korean melodrama.
The story centers on Hye-young (Jun Ji-hyun), a fledgling artist who dreams of holding her first exhibition. Every day, she crosses a bridge over a quiet Amsterdam canal to paint portraits of passersby. For her, the mysterious gift of a small pot of daisies left on her doorstep each morning is the only romance she knows.
But there are two men watching her:
The tragic irony is painful: Hye-young falls in love with the detective, believing he is her flower-giving ghost. The real lover (the killer) watches from a distance, his heart breaking in silence. When the bullets eventually fly, daisies are stained red. Daisy 2006 Korean Movie 20
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.
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. Directed by Andrew Lau (famed for the Infernal
Before diving into the 20-year legacy, let’s revisit the film itself. Daisy is a 2006 South Korean melodrama directed by Andrew Lau (famed for Hong Kong action classics like Infernal Affairs) and starring three of the biggest stars of the era: Jun Ji-hyun (also known as Gianna Jun), Jung Woo-sung, and Lee Sung-jae.
The plot is a classic love triangle set against the romantic backdrop of Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The tragedy unfolds when all three discover each other’s true identities, leading to a devastating climax on a rainy Amsterdam street. The film’s tagline—“The love that began with flowers ends with a gunshot”—perfectly captures its blend of floral beauty and brutal violence. The tragic irony is painful: Hye-young falls in
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:
One cannot discuss Daisy without mentioning its visual language. Cinematographer Andrew Lau painted Amsterdam not as a tourist postcard, but as a melancholic dream.
The film’s use of silence is its greatest weapon. There are long stretches—up to 20 seconds—with no dialogue, only the score by Shigeru Umebayashi (who composed In the Mood for Love). When the killer whispers, “I’ll finally say it. I’m sorry. I loved you so much,” you realize the entire movie was a meditation on words left unsaid.