I found this movie on IMDb while searching for something good to watch. The Koreans have always managed to make good serial killers/kidnapper movies featuring a washed out and hardened detective frequently and this movie is no expectation.
The story starts when Eun-ju a, little girl is kidnapped from her school. Her mother visits Kim, an astrologer, who is not so well known by now. As per his calculation only a man born in a certain year and month can solve the case. Gong a hardened and honest to the core cop is then roped in by the rich parents and his fate collides with the the little girl and astrologer. They embark on a quest to find the kidnapper and get the girl back home safety against all the odds and their department which believes that the child has already been killed.
If you look at the story it wouldn't seem that interesting and different, and i agree. What sets it apart is the acting and the way the plot unfolds. The pacing of the film is brilliant and though it is not an action thriller that will keep you on the edge your seat it manages to hold you attention through out the duration. The kidnapper is not shown to be a super human and their aren't a lot of fighting sequences. But the even fewer and smaller action sequences have been done in a gritty and realistic way.
The only sore point for me was the inclusion of an astrologer and showing that his predictions were somewhat accurate. But i ignored it as this is supposed to be true story and some of it must have been based on real facts. Although i couldn't find any concrete material about the kidnapping when i goggled it.
That being said this is a very enjoyable film nonetheless and every korean thriller junkie should give it a go.
The story starts when Eun-ju a, little girl is kidnapped from her school. Her mother visits Kim, an astrologer, who is not so well known by now. As per his calculation only a man born in a certain year and month can solve the case. Gong a hardened and honest to the core cop is then roped in by the rich parents and his fate collides with the the little girl and astrologer. They embark on a quest to find the kidnapper and get the girl back home safety against all the odds and their department which believes that the child has already been killed.
If you look at the story it wouldn't seem that interesting and different, and i agree. What sets it apart is the acting and the way the plot unfolds. The pacing of the film is brilliant and though it is not an action thriller that will keep you on the edge your seat it manages to hold you attention through out the duration. The kidnapper is not shown to be a super human and their aren't a lot of fighting sequences. But the even fewer and smaller action sequences have been done in a gritty and realistic way.
The only sore point for me was the inclusion of an astrologer and showing that his predictions were somewhat accurate. But i ignored it as this is supposed to be true story and some of it must have been based on real facts. Although i couldn't find any concrete material about the kidnapping when i goggled it.
That being said this is a very enjoyable film nonetheless and every korean thriller junkie should give it a go.
