Wikipedia

Hostage: Missing Celebrity

Hostage: Missing Celebrity (Korean: 인질; Hanja: 人質; RR: Injil) is a 2021 South Korean action thriller film, written and directed by Pil Kam-sung for Next Entertainment World. It is a feature debut of the director and is based on the 2015 Chinese film Saving Mr. Wu.[3] Starring Hwang Jung-min, the film is about the kidnapping of Korean top film star Hwang Jung-min by strangers. First, he thinks it is a prank, then he soon realises that it is no joke, as the kidnappers demand from him a huge amount of ransom within 24 hours. The film with a production cost of ₩8 billion[1] was ready for release in 2020 but its release was postponed due to the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

Hostage: Missing Celebrity
Main poster
Hangul
인질
Hanja
人質
Revised RomanizationInjil
Directed byPil Kam-sung
Screenplay byPil Kam-sung
Based onSaving Mr. Wu
by Ding Sheng
Produced byKang Hye-jeong
StarringHwang Jung-min
CinematographyChoi Young-hwan
Edited byKim Chang-ju
Production
companies
Secret Warrior
Filmmaker R&K
Distributed byNext Entertainment World
Release date
  • August 18, 2021 (2021-08-18)
Running time
94 minutes
CountrySouth Korea
LanguageKorean
Budget₩8 billion[1]
Box officeUS$13.1 million[2]

Hostage: Missing Celebrity was theatrically released on August 18, 2021.[5] As of December 22, 2021, it is the third highest-grossing Korean film of 2021, with a gross of US$13.07 million and 1.63 million admissions.[2][6]

Synopsis edit

After a film premiere, a famous actor is kidnapped in the middle of Seoul. Thinking it is a prank, the actor is relaxed, but when he faces cruelty, he realizes the gravity of the situation. He tries to find an escape route as kidnappers demand a huge ransom within 24 hours. Then the struggle begins, which is very different from what he has seen in films.

Cast edit

Special appearance

Production edit

The film is a remake of the 2015 Chinese film Saving Mr. Wu.[12] It is a reality action film in which actor Hwang Jung-min is playing himself. In a press conference, Hwang Jung-min said, "I think it would be easy to play myself, but it is rather difficult to reveal myself." He further said, "I think the audience enjoyed the situation where Hwang Jung-min and Hwang Jung-min coexist in a movie more realistically."[13] The film was shot in idle area of the military base in Gandong-myeon, Hwacheon-gun, Donghae Police Station, and around Namsan-myeon and Sabuk-myeon in Chuncheon.[14]

Release edit

The film was released on August 18, 2021,[15] on 1289 screens.[16]

The film was officially invited to the US Fantastic Fest, a genre film festival held from 23 to September 30, 2021, in Austin, Texas, United States.[17]

Hostage: Missing Celebrity was invited to 41st Hawaii International Film Festival in 'Spotlight on Korea' (Korean film sector) section. The festival was held in Hawaii, US, from November 4 to November 28, 2021.[18] It has also been invited at 16th Paris Korean Film Festival, which will be held from October 26 to November 2. It was showcased in 'Evenement' section of the festival program.[19] In April 2022 it was invited at the 24th edition of Far East Film Festival at Udine held from April 22 to 30 2022.[20]

Reception edit

Box office edit

According to the Korea Film Council's integrated computer network data, the film ranked number 1 at the Korean box office by recording 97,097 audience on its opening day.[21] Maintaining its top position at Korean box office for the second[22] third[23] and fourth day,[24] it recorded 1 million cumulative audiences on 10h day of its release, thereby becoming the 3rd Korean film of 2021 to cross 1 million mark.[25]

As of December 22, 2021 it is at 3rd place among all the Korean films released in the year 2021, with gross of US$13.07 million and 1,638,437 admissions.[2]

Critical response edit

Lee Yu-na reviewing the film for YTN praised the debutant director Phil Gam-seong for his apt handling of the film and Hwang Jung-min for his performance. Yu-na opened the review writing, "A film with a simple plot wins with Hwang Jung-min's unrivaled acting skills. In terms of completeness, it is a masterpiece that never lags behind among the tentpole films this summer." She opined that the film has 'heightened the reality' by portraying Hwang Jung-min's character as himself.[26]

Kim Mi-hwa reviewing for Star News wrote that the film is from a new genre of 'reality action' setting where the main actor is acting himself. Praising the direction of Phil Gam-seong, she said, "Even though it is a feature film by a new director, it does not stop breathing and boasts a smooth flow." Praising the performance of Hwang Jung-min in reality action setting, Mi-hwa opined, "As Hwang Jung-min said, if you watch the movie, you will find yourself cheering for him." She concluded, "Just seeing the discovery of new actors is enough reason to watch Hostage: Missing Celebrity."[27]

Kim Ji-won of Ten Asia opened the review writing, "The movie Hostage: Missing Celebrity took the reality of 'acting veteran Hwang Jung-min' as the setting of the movie. Realism and fiction are properly blended to bring out a high level of immersion." Ji-won praised the performance of new actors and opined that this ensemble as hostage-takers has added to the sublimity of the film. Analysing the depth of reality and fiction in the reality-action film, she wrote that narrative of the film was well ordered and Hwang Jung-min's acting kept the watchers engrossed in the film. She wrote, "It [the film] also has the virtues of an entertainment movie with unrefined realistic action scenes and quick control through appropriate screen transitions."[28]

Park Jeong-seon of JTBC wrote that the reality-action of the film made it appealing and kept the audience engrossed. She gave credit of this to director Phil Gam-seong and opined, "The realistic direction of director also played a big part in this reality." She praised the performance of lead actor and the cast of new actors, as she wrote, "Although they are newcomers who are still unfamiliar with the screen, they each do their job well." Park opined that though the production cost of the film is just about 8 billion won, still "[..] the best possible content was created." Park concluded, "It is a wise film that is well suited to current theaters and audiences."[29]

Awards and nominations edit

Year Awards Category Recipient Result Ref.
2021 42nd Blue Dragon Film Awards Best Film Hostage: Missing Celebrity Nominated [30][31]
New Actor Ryu Kyung-soo Nominated
Kim Jae-beom Nominated
New Director Pil Kam-sung Nominated
Best Editing Kim Chang-ju Nominated
8th Korean Film Writers Association Awards Best New Actress Lee Yoo-mi Won [32]
2022 58th Baeksang Arts Awards Best New Director Pil Kam-sung Nominated [33][34]
Best New Actor Kim Jae-beom Nominated
Chunsa Film Art Awards 2022 Best New Director Pil Kam-sung Nominated [35]
Best Actor Hwang Jung-min Nominated
Best New Actor Kim Jae-beom Nominated

References edit

  1. ^ a b Jo Ji-young (June 14, 2021). "[SC초점] '발신제한'→'블랙 위도우'→'모가디슈'까지 여름 텐트폴 완성, 극장 떠난 관객 돌아올까" [[SC Focus] Summer tent poles from 'Send Restriction' → 'Black Widow' → 'Mogadishu', will the audience return from the theater?]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office of Korean films (2021)". KOFIC. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  3. ^ Hong Young-jin (June 11, 2020). "황정민의 목숨건 탈출…액션스릴러 '인질' 여름 극장가 달군다" [Hwang Jung-min's life-threatening escape... Action thriller 'Hostage' heats up in summer theaters]. Gyeongsang Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  4. ^ William Schwartz (June 10, 2021). "[HanCinema's News] "Hostage: Missing Celebrity" Set for Summer Release". HanCinema. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  5. ^ Jo Ji-young (July 14, 2021). "[공식] "여름 황정민 온다"…황정민 원맨쇼 '인질', 8월 18일 개봉 확정" [[Official] "Summer Jungmin Hwang is coming" Hwang Jung-min's one-man show 'Hostage' to be released on August 18th]. Sports Chosun. Naver. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  6. ^ "KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System): All films of Year 2021". KOFIC. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  7. ^ Jo Ji-young (June 10, 2021). "[공식] 황정민 주연 '인질'도 여름 개봉 확정..'모가디슈'와 2파전 예고" [[Official] 'Hostage' starring Hwang Jung-min is also confirmed for summer release.. 2nd match with 'Mogadishu']. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  8. ^ a b Kim Yoo-jin (August 11, 2021). "'인질' 김재범→이호정, 황정민을 인질로 잡은 겁 없는 인질범 5인방" ['Hostage' Kim Jae-beom → Lee Ho-jung, Hwang Jeong-min are five fearless hostage criminals]. Export News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  9. ^ Kang Min-kyung (August 19, 2021). "이유미 "1000대 1 뚫고 캐스팅 된 '인질', 박스오피스 1위 기분 좋아"[인터뷰①]" [Lee Yu-mi, "I feel good about 'Hostage', which was cast through 1000-to-1, and took first place at the box office" [Interview ①]]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  10. ^ a b c d Kim Bo-ra (August 11, 2021). "[류경수→이호정, '인질' 황정민에 맞선 인질범 5인방 [Oh!쎈 예고]" [Ryu Kyung-soo → Lee Ho-jeong, 5 hostage criminals against Hwang Jung-min in 'Hostage' [Oh! Strong Notice]]. Osen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  11. ^ "'인질' 한규원, 고군분투 스틸 공개…하반기 활약 '기대'". Osen. July 18, 2022.
  12. ^ Shin Min-hee (July 15, 2021). "A thriller coming to theaters". Korea JoongAng. Naver. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  13. ^ Han Mi-hee (July 15, 2021). ""실제 황정민과 영화 속 황정민의 접점 맞추느라 고민"" [I was worried about the contact point between the real Hwang Jung-min and Hwang Jung-min in the movie]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  14. ^ Lee Hyun-jung (August 18, 2021). "강원도내서 촬영 영화 '싱크홀·인질' 주목" [Focus on the movie 'Sinkhole Hostage' filmed in Gangwon-do]. Gangwon Ilbo (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  15. ^ Bae Hyo-joo (August 18, 2021). "오늘(18일) 개봉 '인질' 황정민표 마라맛 맨손 탈주 스릴러" ['Hostage' released today (18th) Hwang Jung-Min-Pyo Maramat Bare-handed escape thriller]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  16. ^ "KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office 2021". KOFIC. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  17. ^ Kim Mi-hwa (September 8, 2021). "'인질', 美 판타스틱 페스트 공식 초청" ['Hostage' officially invited to the US Fantastic Fest]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  18. ^ Yoon-hee Lee (August 31, 2021). ""영리한 스릴러"…'인질', 하와이 국제 영화제 공식 초청" ["A clever thriller"... 'Hostage' officially invited to Hawaii International Film Festival]. TV Report (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  19. ^ Kim Bo-young (September 30, 2021). "황정민 '인질', 제16회 파리한국영화제 초청…잇단 해외 러브콜 [공식]" [Hwang Jung-min's 'Hostage' invited to the 16th Paris Korean Film Festival... Successive overseas love calls [Official]]. Edaily (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  20. ^ "Udine Far East Film Festival Confirms Lineup for 24th Edition". Windows on Worlds. April 20, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  21. ^ Kim Ji-won (August 19, 2021). "[공식] "여름엔 황정민"…'인질' 개봉일 1위·좌석판매율 1위 등극" [[Official] "Hwang Jung-min in summer"... 'Hostage' ranked first in opening date and number one in seat sales]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  22. ^ Kim Seon-woo (August 20, 2021). "'인질' 이틀 연속 박스오피스 1위…흥행 열기 주말까지 이어질까" ['Hostage' topped the box office for two days in a row... Will the box office fever last until the weekend?]. Sports Seoul (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  23. ^ Jung Yoo-jin (August 21, 2021). "'인질', 3일째 1위 누적관객수 26만명↑…주말 흥행 이을까 [Nbox]" ['Hostage' ranked first for the third day in cumulative audience of 260,000 ↑... Is it a weekend hit [Nbox]]. News 1 (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  24. ^ Hyo-Jeong Yoon (August 22, 2021). "황정민 '인질' 4일째 1위…'싱크홀'·'모가디슈' 삼파전 [Nbox]" [Hwang Jung-min's 'Hostage' 1st for 4th day... 'Sinkhole'·'Mogadishu' three-way battle [Nbox]]. News 1 (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  25. ^ Shin So-won (August 28, 2021). "'인질' 100만 관객 돌파, 황정민 친필 감사 인사" ['Hostage' surpasses 1 million viewers, Hwang Jung-min's handwritten thanks]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  26. ^ Lee, Yu-na (August 6, 2021). "[Y리뷰] '인질' 천상 배우 황정민, 마지막 시선에 숨이 멎는다" [[Y Review] 'Hostage' heavenly actor Hwang Jung-min, stops breathing at the last glance]. YTN (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  27. ^ Kim Mi-hwa (August 6, 2021). "[리뷰] '인질' 군더더기 없는 황정민의 극한 탈출기" [[Review] Hwang Jung-min's extreme escape from 'hostage']. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  28. ^ Kim Ji-won (August 9, 2021). "[TEN 리뷰] '인질' 된 황정민, 진짜라 믿게되는 '200% 몰입도'" [[TEN Review] Hwang Jung-min who was 'hostage', '200% immersion' that you believe is real]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  29. ^ "[리뷰] '인질', 황정민이 납치됐다고?…픽션과 다큐 사이" [[Review] ‘Hostage’, Hwang Jung-min was kidnapped?… Between fiction and documentary]. JTBC (in Korean). Naver. August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  30. ^ Jeong Hyung-hwa (November 1, 2021). "42회 청룡영화상 11월26일 개최..'모가디슈' 최다 후보" [42nd Blue Dragon Film Awards held on November 26th... Most nominations for 'Mogadishu']. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  31. ^ Kim Nara (November 1, 2021). [제42회 청룡영화상, 후보 발표…류승완 '모가디슈' 최다 부문 노미네이트 [공식] [42nd Blue Dragon Film Awards, nominations announced... Ryoo Seung-wan 'Mogadishu' Nominated for Most Category [Official]]. My Daily (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  32. ^ Lee Jong-gil (December 6, 2021). "'모가디슈' 한국영화제작가협회상 작품상" ['Mogadishu' Korean Film Writers Association Award for Best Picture]. Asia Economy (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  33. ^ "제 58회 백상예술대상" [58 Nominees · Works]. Baeksang Arts Awards (in Korean). April 11, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  34. ^ Ahn Byung-gil (April 11, 2022). "58회 백상예술대상 후보 공개…영광의 주인공은?" [58th Baeksang Arts Awards nominations revealed... Who is the hero of glory?]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  35. ^ "후보자(후보작) 리스트" [Candidate (Nominations) List]. Chunsa Film Festival (in Korean). August 26, 2022. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2022.

External links edit

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