Main Cast: Han Seok-gyu, Goh So-yeong, Cheon Ho-jin, Song Jae-Ho, Ryu Seung-su
Release Year: 2003
Country: KR
Run Time: 123 minutes
Plot
Set in the politically charged climate of Korea in the early '80s, Kim Hyun-jeong's Double Agent stars Han Suk-kyu (Tell Me Something) as Lim Byeong-ho, a North Korean intelligence operative who defects to South Korea. Lim is tortured for weeks before his motives for defecting are deemed acceptable. Then the information he brought over is vetted, and he is put to work. He assists in training South Korean soldiers. After two years, having earned more trust, he is given greater access and asked to examine North Korean intelligence. His new partner encourages him to go to church and tries to interest Lim in baseball. Lim receives a coded message over the radio from the beautiful Yoon Soo-mi (Ko So-young). He's told to make contact with her. It becomes clear that Lim is still working for the North Koreans. He and Yoon begin dating as cover for their meetings. Yoon transmits orders and Lim gives her classified information. As Lim and Yoon spend more time together, a genuine affection grows between them. But soon a European reporter who seems to know all about Lim approaches him, and Yoon's contact, a highly ranked spy, is captured by the government. The couple's loyalties are tested and their safety is threatened. In danger of exposure, they desperately try to find a way out. Double Agent had its U.S. premiere at Subway Cinema's 2003 New York Asian Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
Review
Kim Hyun-jeong's Double Agent is a smart spy thriller for grown-ups that keenly captures the personal and emotional toll of both political extremism and undercover espionage work. The film works very well, both as a tense drama and as allegory. It takes a little time for things to get going, and the film will displease those expecting the "boys and their toys"-style, action-packed spy movies exemplified by the Pierce Brosnan James Bond films. This is a film of nuance and internal drama; it plays very close to the vest. The main character, Lim Byeong-ho (Han Suk-kyu), is initially a cipher. We never really develop a clear understanding of the ideological foundation of his allegiances, but his resistance to the fierce anti-communist rhetoric of 1980s South Korea renders him surprisingly sympathetic. As played by the strong-jawed Han, there's never too much doubt that Lim is essentially a decent man, who takes no pleasure in the loss of life his actions cause. Dedicated to his political aims, he's still tormented by living a life of deceit. The romance that develops between Lim and Yoon Soo-mi (Ko So-young) is played with subtle grace. This adds to the film's quiet power. The twists and turns of the plot are presented convincingly, and with little flash. In the end, Double Agent develops a surprising emotional punch. It's essentially about one man, one woman -- one country -- wracked by political ideologies that have little import to their daily lives. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
Cast
Han Seok-gyu
Goh So-yeong
Cheon Ho-jin
Song Jae-Ho
Ryu Seung-su
Credit
Noh Sang-sun - Art Director, Park Min-heui - Associate Producer, Han Seong-gu - Co-producer, Lee Sang-seob - Costume Designer, Choi Chang-weon - First Assistant Director, Kim Hyeon-jeong - Director, Kim Sang-hyeon - Editor, Park Mu-seung - Executive Producer, Michael Staudacher - Composer (Music Score), Kim Seong-bok - Cinematographer, Koo Bon-han - Producer, Seo Sang-hwa - Special Effects, Kim Weon-yong - Sound/Sound Designer, Koo Bon-han - Screen Story, Shim Hye-weon - Screenwriter
