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Gam-si-ja-deul (2013)
Solid surveillance crime thriller, tiptoeing on the above-average line
This film checks every possible requirement you could have of a film about a police surveillance team following a gang of thieves, but stops short of exceeding those requirements. At the core is a great new-rookie-on-the-team story and each main character is explored in just enough depth, but it doesn't take any risks with the overarching plot.
Something western films like this do is put a lot of effort into "humanising" the baddie character(s) so the audience can relate to their motivations to a certain extent - that doesn't happen here, there's no mistake our antagonist is violent, dangerous, and only looking out for himself (Jung Woo-sung is well cast in this role).
There are many better Korean crime thrillers, but this is still a good one, and somewhat unique amongst the sea of decent Korean crime-gang films. Some great performances and continual tense moments, well-paced throughout.
Gongjak (2018)
Proves South Korea can also make great (non-action) Spy Thrillers
I've been on a SK crime/spy thriller binge for a few months and (as much as I love the SK action style) it was really refreshing to watch one that doesn't rely on action sequences to keep us entertained. Knowing this was loosely based on a true story makes it all the more interesting, and the scenes where our protagonist meets Kim Jong-Il are superbly directed.
At the core is a strong story about cross-border human friendship, and there are some striking juxtapositions of the harsh regime in the authoritarian North against corruption in the democratic South.
Highly recommended as part of a healthy diet which also includes South Korean action and crime movies.
PMC: Deo beong-keo (2018)
With enough booze, you'll enjoy this.
Let me just say that this film works up to a final sequence (SPOILERS) where our hero falls out of a plane, and in mind-air saves the North Korean leader, and saves his new found friend whilst also confronting his biggest fear (parachute drop gone wrong) and prevents world war (though of course a war is erupting around him in the sky at the same time). It is very silly but still fun.
Before that, he is trapped in a bunker where he has to direct his team on how to get out while he performs CPR on North Korea's supreme leader whilst at the same time surviving bomb attacks on the bunker.
So only go here if you don't need to think in any way and just want popcorn action fun. I would have rated it lower but the final parachute sequence does genuinely lift the film up slightly and provide some level of release.
Daman akeseo guhasoseo (2020)
Fun but don't expect too much
I was looking forward to this for a long time since it is the first movie to reunite actors Jung-min Hwang and Jung-jae Lee since the excellent New World (2013). Unfortunately I was a bit disappointed as it doesn't come close to being in the same league as that film, though they both put in good performances in very different roles than their last movie together. It was good to see them both again with that previous film in mind, but if you want much more than some stylish fun, you'll probably be disappointed.
Bereullin (2013)
Solid Bourne-style action thriller with a Korean story
For want of a better expression, this is a huge *stylistic* rip-off of the Bourne movies but with a completely Korean story. As a fan of the Bourne movies and Korean crime thrillers, I loved it. It probably sits slight further towards the action/fun side of Korean cinema (there are a lot of other options if you want real depth in your crime/spy thrillers) but it is certainly not mindless. It is also astounding to consider this movie was made for $9million when the Bourne movies cost $60-$110million each - this film works really hard for you as the viewer.
Seongnan hwangso (2018)
Don Lee in a bomber jacket punching people in the face
If that headline turned you off, you aren't going to like this. Good for some simple fun if that is what you're looking for, and if you are into Korean crime thrillers, this checks *just* enough boxes to not be completely superficial, but go in with low expectations and you may be pleasantly surprised if you have enough booze. The poster image is a bit misleading as it implies a level of depth to the gangster story that the film doesn't really have, although the baddie character is interesting.
Also this form asks "Does this review contain spoilers?", which I feel like I should possibly answer "yes" because I have written "Don Lee in a bomber jacket punching people in the face".