Kim Ki-duk was born on December 20 , 1960 in Bonghwa , North Gyeongsang Province , South Korea . He studied fine arts in Paris from 1990 to 1993 . After returning to South Korea , Kim began his career as a screenwriter and won the first prize in a scenario contest held by Korean Film Council in 1995 . In the following year , Kim made his debut as a director with a low budget movie titled '' Crocodile '' ( 1996 ) . The film received sensational reviews from movie critics in South Korea . Kim has said that his international breakthrough occurred with The Isle at the Toronto International Film Festival . His 2000 film '' Real Fiction '' was entered into the 23rd Moscow International Film Festival
23rd Moscow International Film Festival
23rd Moscow International Film Festival
Kim Ki-duk