[Seulssine] 'Yureong' Is Not the Movie You Imagine

[Lee Isul's Wise Cine Review]
Totally Natural Color Spy Thriller 'Yugyeong'
The Thrill of Overturning Old Clich?s

In 1933, during the Japanese colonial period in Gyeongseong, the secret spy 'Ghost' of the Korean anti-Japanese organization Heuksaekdan is infiltrated into the Government-General of Korea. Independence fighters disguised as ghosts are secretly active everywhere. One day, Ghost attempts to assassinate the newly appointed governor-general but fails. The governor-general, who narrowly survives, learns of the still roaming Ghost's existence and orders the newly appointed security chief Kaito (played by Park Hae-soo) to find and eliminate them.

A hotel precariously perched on the edge of a cliff. Below the cliff, the blue sea surges fiercely. Junji, the communications supervisor of the Government-General, Cha-gyeong, in charge of cipher records, Yuriko, secretary to the political commissioner, Cheon Gye-jang, responsible for code decryption, and Baekho, a communications staff member, are all brought to the hotel without knowing why. They have fallen into a trap designed by Kaito, gathering the suspects in one place. The suspects are given only one day. Kaito confuses them by demanding they prove they are not Ghost or accuse others. A tense atmosphere unfolds between Ghost, who must survive to save comrades and succeed in the assassination, and those who just want to return home safely.

A Modern Drama Disguised as a Period Spy Thriller

'Phantom' stills [Photo by CJ ENM]

Who is Ghost? The film constantly misleads the audience. They deceive and suspect each other while uncovering clues one by one. Amid tense standoffs, the truth gradually emerges, creating a locked-room mystery and spy thriller puzzle.

While the message about the anti-Japanese movement during the colonial period is clear, the film stands out as a 'solidarity film' disguised as a period piece. The moment this becomes clear is like a revelation, eliciting gasps. It breaks the clich?s of spy thrillers that have appeared endlessly in classic Hollywood series. Due to spoilers, specifics cannot be revealed, but another genre aspect is distinctly evident.

The period setting is old-fashioned, but the film is more sophisticated and modern than any other. The director subverts certain outdated conventions in traditional spy thrillers as if mocking them. The film distinguishes itself by breaking the stained prejudices and stereotypes under the guise of a period drama and completing a thoroughly modern narrative. This is also true in the action scenes.

The object 'cigarette' carries multiple meanings. It symbolizes comrades sharing the independence movement, love sharing hearts, and scenes inheriting the anti-Japanese spirit, with a compelling, unspoken reason. Though a classic setting, it never feels outdated. There is a thrill in overturning some previously drawn-out, tedious settings.

Brilliant Character Play

'Ghost' still image [Photo by CJ ENM]

The locked-room mystery setting unfolds somewhat theatrically. This is the director's intention. Early in the film, the character play feels like watching a stage play, but as it passes the midpoint, it refreshes like a new drama. Some points early on may cause slight confusion, but as the film progresses, it becomes clear this was deliberate direction.

The actors deliver strong performances, each fulfilling their roles. Various characters separately and together inject vitality. Seol Kyung-gu’s role as Murayama Junji, an elite soldier demoted and dispatched as communications supervisor, is interesting?not funny, but intriguing. Seol Kyung-gu smartly fulfills his role and illuminates the film’s narrative.

Special emphasis should be placed on Lee Ha-nee and Park So-dam. Lee Ha-nee anchors the film with powerful action, while Park So-dam’s languid yet sharp action blends to create explosive charm. Seo Hyun-woo once again proves he is a treasure of an actor, turning what could have been a bland role into a three-dimensional character with excellent acting. Applause is also due to the director’s direction, which fully reveals the charm and lingering presence of a cat without animal filming.

Actor Kim Dong-hee, who halted activities due to a school violence controversy, appears. In February 2021, allegations from a school violence victim surfaced, which he denied but apologized for in January last year and stopped activities. It is questionable whether audiences will fully accept Kim Dong-hee as a fictional character on screen one year later. His scenes seem to have been edited to a minimum, but it feels premature to erase the word 'school violence' from his image.

'Ghost' still image [Photo by CJ ENM]

The mise-en-sc?ne also stands out. The characters seem to have stepped out of black-and-white photos from the 1920s to 1940s, vividly alive in various colors. The excellent contrast in costumes and spatial color schemes enhances the classic charm of the spy thriller and elegantly completes the drama.

The ending may remind viewers of a famous film but remains sufficiently captivating. It symbolizes the unyielding spirit like the eternally wandering Ghost and clearly imprints the director’s intended message. The scene where a character stands on a car hood, smoking a cigarette and firing a gun, is made so modern that it surpasses any other film.

What you see is not all there is. There is joy in discovering the hidden messages the director placed. Shouldn’t Korea have a film like this? A well-made spy thriller to start the new year, Ghost. Running time 132 minutes 34 seconds. Rated 15 and above. Opens January 18.