Here are the review and backstories of the K-movie “Believer”.
K-movie ‘Believer’ Film Information:
- Genre: Crime Thriller Action Noir
- Director: Lee Hae Young
- Original: Hong Kong Film Drug War Remake
- Cast Members: Cho Jin-woong, Ryu Jun-yeol, Kim Sung-ryeong, Park Hae-joon, Cha Seung-won, Kim Joo-hyuk
- Release Date: May 22, 2018
- Reopening of Director’s Edition: July 18, 2018
- Running Time: 131 minutes (2 hours 11 minutes)
- Audience: 5.2 million in S. Korea
- Screening Rating: For those aged 15 or older
- Rating: 8.41 out of 10.00
Believer Synopsis:
The plot of “Believer” kicks off with a mysterious explosion, leading Detective Won-ho (Cho Jin-woong) to face Oh Yeon-ok (Kim Seong-ryeong) and the forsaken gang member “Rak” (Ryu Jun-yeol). Together, they navigate the complex world of drug gangs, encountering the powerful drug market tycoon Jin Ha-rim (Kim Joo-hyuk) and the mysterious figure within the organization, Brian (Cha Seung-won). A crucial lead about a mysterious substance sets them on a suspenseful journey of intrigue and suspicion.
Storyline:
The film intricately weaves a tale of Detective Wonho’s relentless pursuit of drug gangs. The mysterious death of Sujeong, a figure close to him, leads to a cryptic message and a vow to capture Mr. Lee. Oh Yeon-ok, surviving an explosion at a drug factory, becomes a key ally in the pursuit of justice. The story takes unexpected turns with the sudden demise of Oh Yeon-ok and the discovery of Seo Young-rak, the lone survivor.
The mission to capture Mr. Lee unfolds with undercover operations and risky deals, delving into the complexities of loyalty and betrayal. The narrative climaxes with an intense drug deal orchestrated by Won-ho, posing as Park Seon-chang. The film skillfully balances suspense, action, and drama, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats.
Review:
I found the K-movie ‘Believer’ to be a remarkably well-crafted entertainment film, even though I went into it already knowing who Lee was due to spoilers. First and foremost, the movie features a gripping and intense acting showdown, showcasing the prowess of the talented cast. Each actor competes in delivering their best performance, creating a tense atmosphere that keeps the audience engaged.
Personally, I was particularly impressed by Ryu Jun-yeol’s portrayal of the character Rock. In a film filled with strong roles, Rock stood out by emanating a calm and collected demeanor. This nuanced performance added a unique dimension to the narrative. In movies, playing a relatively less noticeable role incorrectly can result in being overshadowed. However, Ryu Jun-yeol not only held his own but also demonstrated that his potential was vast, leaving a lasting impression that went beyond his character.
The extended cut provides a different experience from just reading the storyline. It includes scenes after the initial ending, unveiling aspects that piqued curiosity during the reading. Personally, I believe that witnessing the original ending on screen, rather than merely reading about it, provides a more cinematic and fulfilling conclusion.
Backstories:
- This is Kim Joo-hyuk’s posthumous work. At the time of the accident, the film was still in production, but his scenes had already been completed. However, some post-production work, such as recording additional effects like breathing sounds for certain action scenes, was unfinished. Seo Hyun-woo, who has a similar tone to Kim Joo-hyuk, stepped in for the recording.
- Lee Min-ho makes a brief appearance in a selfie taken with Jin Seo-yeon. In reality, they did not take the photo together; it was a composite image with Lee Min-ho’s face added to a picture taken with the staff.
- The salt factory in the film is located in Taean, but the actual shooting took place in Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do.
- The snowy landscapes appearing in the early and later parts of the film are said to be from Norway.
- For realism in drug-smoking scenes, Cho Jin-woong reportedly inhaled a mixture of salt and chalk dust rather than fake drug powder. This unconventional approach was said to enhance the authenticity of his performance by making it look more convincing.
- In many scenes where Ryu Jun-yeol’s character smokes in the movie, the director intentionally used herbal cigarettes upon learning that Ryu Jun-yeol is a non-smoker.
- Originally, the ending scene in the script was set in a Southeast Asian coastal area, not Norway. However, due to the director’s opposition, it was changed to Norway.
- The character Boryeong, played by Jin Seo-yeon, exhibits peculiar behavior, such as stretching after inhaling drugs. This is depicted realistically, as inhaling cocaine often leads to muscle contractions, prompting individuals to stretch. The film’s attention to detail in portraying drug use has garnered unexpected positive responses.
