Summer blockbuster The Front Line opens to high expectations
by javabeans
Yesterday’s Go Soo post had me looking closer at his new movie, The Front Line, a high-budget blockbuster war film that’s expected to do big business this summer.
The plot caught my attention with its suspenseful, uneasy premise, and the creds aren’t so bad, either: Director Jang Hoon steered thrillers Rough Cut and Secret Reunion to box-office success. The screenplay is written by Park Sang-yeon, who wrote scripts for Queen Seon-deok and the upcoming Tree With Deep Roots, as well as the original novels for Joint Security Area and May 18, which were turned into films.
The movie is set in the very last months of the Korean War, and depicts the horrors of war as experienced by its young soldiers. Shin Ha-kyun plays an officer in the counterespionage division, Eun-pyo, who is sent to the volatile eastern front to investigate a suspicious series of events, beginning with the death of a soldier, shot by one of his own, as well as the delivery of a letter from the North Korean Army via the South Korean post. Illicit correspondence can only mean fraternizing with the enemy.
In the process, Eun-pyo unexpectedly reconnects with an old friend, Soo-hyuk (Go Soo), whom he’d thought died on the battlefield. Two years ago, Soo-hyuk was a weak young private, but in the intervening years he’s been speedily promoted and now acts as leader of his unit.
Why is this unit headed by a kid who’s barely an adult? Why has Soo-hyuk changed so drastically? Why do soldiers wear North Korean jackets as blankets, citing the cold? As Eun-pyo tries to suss out the facts, he comes in conflict with the members of the unit, getting caught up in the politics of this group that runs like a mini-nation.
Based on the trailer below, it seems that Eun-pyo is the principled one sent from headquarters — a safer, less dangerous place — while this eastern front is fraught with peril on a day-to-day, minute-to-minute basis. Perhaps these young soldiers are so desperate to live that they’re stuck in survival mode, politics and patriotism be damned. This rift grows the longer Eun-pyo is here, and with suspicions growing, he accuses the members of siding with the Commies. At one point, Eun-pyo insists, “We’re all in this war together! We’re all in hell!” Soo-hyuk retorts, addressing Eun-pyo with tears in his eyes, “Do you know what real hell is?”
The members of the unit supply solid supporting characters, like the a soldier originally from the North who’s been active in the independence movement since the time of Japanese occupation (Go Chang-seok of Hello Ghost). There’s the young man who was formerly a boy solder who now leads his squad, played by Lee Je-hoon (Bleak Night), whose performance is reportedly a particular highlight of the film. Kim Ok-bin (Thirst) is the film’s sole female character, and other cast members include Ryu Seung-soo (Lie To Me), Jo Jin-woong (Believe In Love), and Ryu Seung-ryong (Personal Taste).
Based on reviews, it appears the film has its strengths (like its relentless tone and acting performances — not to mention the epic battles) with some qualified weak points, but I’m already sold based on that plot.
The Front Line opened this week.
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Tags: Go Chang-seok, Go Soo, Lee Je-hoon, Ryu Seung-soo, Shin Ha-kyun
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1 favegirl13
July 21, 2011 at 5:25 AM
sounds interesting and looks awesome
will have to wait for subs to see it
Go Soo (loving all your dramas and movies)
I didnt know Kim Ok Bin is in this movie. Love all her movies and really wish she'll maybe return to drama land
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jcl
July 21, 2011 at 6:06 PM
She looks like Tang Wei in the poster. She's beautiful
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2 Tha
July 21, 2011 at 5:56 AM
This looks good...really good!
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3 soni
July 21, 2011 at 7:19 AM
Looking forward to this movie!
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4 sb
July 21, 2011 at 8:39 AM
Woot! I thought I recognized Lee Je-hoon, and ding ding, Bleak Night! I wasn't thrilled on how Bleak Night ended, but planned to keep an eye out for that actor because of his impressive performance there. Can't wait to watch!
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5 love
July 21, 2011 at 8:52 AM
ahhhhh, Go Soo is so HOT!!...Keeping my eyes out for this one. =D
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6 Luv_KimRaeWon
July 21, 2011 at 8:54 AM
always interested in anything Go Soo is in.. he's extremely handsome(for me, the most handsome Korean actor.. i know.. i know.. Binne, Lee Min Ho are hot too.. for me, GS takes the cake though), acts quite well and is quite expressive with his eyes..
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7 ingridine
July 21, 2011 at 9:27 AM
Yes! the most handsome ...so perfect in fact !
I can't wait to watch it ! (he's growing to be a solid bankable actor !)
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8 Jo
July 21, 2011 at 9:47 AM
The Korean War always makes me want to cry.
Comrades was a very great depiction of the war...unrelenting hell.
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9 kkrazy
July 21, 2011 at 9:49 AM
The only place I've seen Shin Ha-Kyun was in Harvest Villa. Even though his character was a bit quirky at the beginning, he has a wonderful screen presence.
Movie sounds really intriguing and has Go Soo. Looking forward to seeing this one!
Also, I think Quick with Lee Min-ki is being released today (yesterday?) Can hardly wait for that one, too!
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10 luraaa
July 21, 2011 at 12:07 PM
I would love to be Kim Ok-bin right now. Or more like the characters she does. I haven't seen her in anything yet, but I'm gonna keep an eye on her.
On another note, I think I might watch this film for my Go Soo.
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11 supah
July 21, 2011 at 12:24 PM
Looks... Great. I'll look forward to the acting.
Though not too dissimilar from last year's Comrades. I'll def be watching it, I'm not that squeamish and don't mind war dramas as long as there is some humane message in there somewhere and it's not strife just for the sheer hell of strife.
Some of the best stuff I've ever watched are from the war genre; Ghibli's Grave of the Fireflies, The Bridge at Nogunri and Eyes of Dawn.
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12 Dara
July 21, 2011 at 1:12 PM
ooooo! Go SOo with blood and bruise still hawttt? When will he be back in small screen, p-please!
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13 Molly
July 21, 2011 at 6:28 PM
I'm already sold based on Go Soo. A lot of the plot reminds me of City Hunter; I wish I could see it!
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14 waterhelon
July 21, 2011 at 8:02 PM
the pictures remind me of 71: Into the Gunfire all over again. loved that movie and that was the first war movie i've ever watched. hopefully this is just as good.
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15 Celest
July 21, 2011 at 8:22 PM
I watched and finished the awesomeness that was COMRADES a couple of months ago and rewatched Taekgukgi last month so I've been slightly obsessed as of late about the real Korean War. Granted this is just a movie, but you can bet that I'll be watching this one as well.
Thanks for the news JB. I'm super excited.
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16 eb
July 21, 2011 at 8:22 PM
Lee Je-hoon's performance in Bleak Night was disturbing in a good way.
It's been a while since I watched something with Shin Ha Kyun. I usually don't watch war movies but this movie does sound interesting.
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17 KL
July 21, 2011 at 9:09 PM
Go Soo is soooooo HOT! Love him...:D
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18 bakedsalmon
July 22, 2011 at 2:59 AM
I love war films. The trailer looks well-made but feels a little corny.
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abc
July 22, 2011 at 5:33 AM
your comment about the trailer looking corny made me curious enough to watch it. hehehe, i have to agree, it is corny!
everytime i see go soo i find myself frowning....
i like kim ok bin - beautiful even in drab combat gear.
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19 cathy
July 22, 2011 at 10:52 AM
sounds interesting , no triangle love story , no dump character , i like it .
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20 Kayla
August 24, 2011 at 3:17 PM
i don't like war movies but I want to see this for just go soo!!! he's one of the best korean actor and so handsome..love him so much..
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21 emgphils
September 10, 2011 at 9:10 AM
When I heard last year that Ko Soo has immediately started a new movie The Front Line right after Psychic (Haunters), I thought it would be shown around early part of June 2011. I really wish I could watch him in the big screen so this is the best opportunity to do so. I immediately booked a trip to Seoul, Korea for June 2011 but imagine my frustration when I learned that his movie will be shown by July. Man, too bad!!..... I ended taking pictures of the movie posters in the Coming Soon area of the Cinemas... and those painted at the back of buses!! Double darn!! Ko Soo, do another movie please to be shown for 2012 - that, I will definitely see!! Fighting!
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22 juen
December 7, 2011 at 12:31 PM
Shin Ha Kyun is a wonderful actor. He is heartbreaking in Front Line.
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23 Jasmin Rice
January 23, 2012 at 3:33 PM
I follow Shin Ha Kyun from Brain. Amazing actor, may be slightly look differently from Go Soo, but his acting is really meserizing.
Love him so.
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