Troll Factory (Korean: 댓글부대) is a 2024 South Korean crime drama film directed and written by Ahn Gooc-jin, and starring Son Suk-ku, Kim Sung-cheol, Kim Dong-hwi, and Hong Kyung. Based on the novel of the same Korean name by Chang Kang-myoung, a work based on the National Intelligence Service's illegal election intervention case. It is about a public opinion manipulation company that infiltrates Internet sites and manipulates public opinion by leaving malicious comments. It was released on March 27, 2024.
| Troll Factory | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Hangul | 댓글부대 |
| Hanja | 댓글部隊 |
| Literal meaning | The Comments Army |
| Revised Romanization | Daetguelbudae |
| McCune–Reischauer | Taetkŭlbudae |
| Directed by | Ahn Gooc-jin |
| Screenplay by | Ahn Gooc-jin |
| Based on | The Comments Army by Chang Kang-myoung |
| Produced by | Seo Yeon |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Cho Hyung-rae |
| Edited by | Han Mi-yeon |
| Music by | Cho Young-wook |
Production company | Cinematic Moment |
| Distributed by | Acemaker Movieworks |
Release date |
|
Running time | 109 minutes[1] |
| Country | South Korea |
| Language | Korean |
| Box office | US$6.7 million[2] |
Premise edit
It follows the narrative of Im Sang-jin, a reporter who is suspended from his work for publishing an article exposing a huge corporation's tyranny, until an anonymous source comes and informs him about online public opinion manipulation.[3]
Cast edit
- Son Suk-ku as Im Sang-jin: a newspaper reporter seeking reinstatement after being suspended for writing an article exposing the tyranny of a large corporation, and getting closer to the true nature of the so-called 'Troll Factory', which operates in political as well as business realms.[4]
- Kim Sung-cheol as Jjingppeotking: the de facto leader who shows quick thinking and takes the lead in manipulating public opinion.[4]
- Kim Dong-hwi as Chattatkat: an anonymous writer who creates hooked stories and an informant who announces the existence of the comment unit.[4]
- Hong Kyung as Paeptaek: a keyboard warrior who feels the power of online public opinion manipulation and becomes increasingly addicted to it.[4]
- Lee Sun-hee as Pyo Ha-jeong: editor-in-chief of a newspaper company.[5]
- Kim Jun-han as Nam Ki-hong: the head of the public opinion team.[1]
- Park Sun-woo[6]
- Cha Young-ju[6]
- Kim So-min[6]
Production edit
Development edit
The film developed under the working title The Comments Army and director Ahn Gooc-jin, who directed Alice in Earnestland (2015) took the megaphone.[7]
It is produced by Cinematic Moment and distributed by Acemaker Movieworks.[8]
Casting edit
Son Suk-ku was offered the role of the main character in July 2022.[8]
The appearance of Son along with Kim Dong-hwi were confirmed in January 2023.[9][10] Followed by Kim Sung-cheol and Hong Kyung in February 2023.[11][12]
Production design edit
Art Director Hong Joo-hee, who worked on The School Nurse Files (2020), My Name (2021) and The Moon (2023), contributes to the film's unique visual identity with a realistic and original production design. Costume Designer Jo Sang-kyung, who worked on Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017), Squid Game (2020–present), and Hunt (2022), brings her expertise to craft unique and distinct character portrayals through the costumes.[13]
Filming edit
Principal photography began on March 6, 2023.[14]
Visual effects edit
Cinematographer Cho Hyung-rae, who worked on The Merciless (2017), Kingmaker (2022), Kill Boksoon (2023) and Concrete Utopia (2023), and Lighting Director Lee Gil-gyu who worked on Tune in for Love (2019), Kingmaker (2022), Concrete Utopia (2023) and Citizen of a Kind (2024) have combined their talents to craft the film's overall visual concept.[13]
Music edit
Music Director Cho Young-wook, who worked on A Taxi Driver (2017), The Man Standing Next (2020), Hunt (2022), Decision to Leave (2022), Narco-Saints (2022) and Honey Sweet (2023), will compose the score, creating a unique atmosphere for the film to take place.[13]
Release edit
Troll Factory was released on March 27, 2024.[15]
References edit
- ^ a b Jung, Soo-jin (March 21, 2024). [시네마 데이트] 온라인 여론조작의 희생양 손석구의 고군분투기, '댓글부대' [[Cinema Date] Son Suk-ku's struggle as a victim of online public opinion manipulation, 'The Comments Army'] (in Korean). Ize. Retrieved March 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ "South Korea Box Office April 6, 2024". KOFIC. April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ Son, Jung-bin (January 31, 2024). 손석구 기자 됐다...영화 '댓글부대' 3월27일 공개 [Son Suk-ku became a reporter...Movie 'The Comments Army' released on March 27th] (in Korean). Newsis. Retrieved March 25, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ a b c d Cho, Yeon-gyeong (January 31, 2024). "여론 조작" 손석구·김성철·김동휘·홍경 '댓글부대' 3월 27일 개봉 ["Public Opinion Manipulation" Son Suk-ku, Kim Sung-cheol, Kim Dong-hwi, Hong Kyung's 'The Comments Army' opens on March 27th] (in Korean). JTBC News. Retrieved March 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Lee, Nam-kyung (March 22, 2024). 이선희, ‘댓글부대’ 출연 확정…손석구와 호흡(공식) [Lee Sun-hee confirmed to appear in 'The Comments Army'...Working with Son Suk-kyu (Official)] (in Korean). MBN. Retrieved March 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ a b c "Troll Factory - Cast (Korean Movie, 2023, 댓글부대)". HanCinema. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ Lee, Chang-gyu (July 29, 2022). 손석구 측 "'댓글부대' 출연 제안 받고 검토 中" [공식입장] [Son Suk-ku's side "We have received an offer to appear on 'Comment Unit' and are considering it" [Official Position]] (in Korean). Sports News. Retrieved March 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ a b Jung, Yoo-jin (July 29, 2022). [단독] '대세' 손석구, 장강명 소설 원작 영화 '댓글부대' 주연 물망 [[Exclusive] 'Trend' Son Suk-ku is expected to star in 'The Comments Army', a movie based on Chang Kang-myoung's novel] (in Korean). News1. Retrieved March 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Choi, Ji-ye (January 27, 2023). [단독] '대세' 손석구, 차기작 '댓글부대' 확정...계묘년 열일ing [[Exclusive] 'Trend' Son Suk-ku confirms his next work 'The Comments Army'...Year of the Black Rabbit working hard] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Retrieved March 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Choi, Ji-ye (January 27, 2023). [단독] '충무로 라이징' 김동휘, '댓글부대' 주연 캐스팅...손석구와 호흡 [[Exclusive] 'Chungmuro Rising' Kim Dong-hwi cast as lead role in 'The Comments Army'...Working with Son Suk-ku] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Retrieved March 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Cho, Yeon-gyeong (February 20, 2023). [단독] '대세' 김성철 '댓글부대' 합류...손석구 만난다 [[Exclusive] 'Trend' Kim Sung-cheol joins 'The Comments Army'...Meet Son Seok-gu] (in Korean). JTBC News. Retrieved March 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Kim, Bo-ra (February 20, 2023). [단독] '약한영웅' 홍경, '댓글부대' 캐스팅…손석구·김동휘 연기 호흡 [[Exclusive] 'Weak Hero' Hong Kyung, cast in 'The Comment Unit'...acting together with Son Suk-ku and Kim Dong-hwi] (in Korean). Osen. Retrieved March 15, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ a b c Kim, Yeon-ju (March 13, 2024). '댓글부대', '오징어게임'→'콘유' 제작진 뭉쳤다 ['The Comments Army', 'Squid Game'→'Concrete Utopia' production crew unite]. TV Report. Retrieved March 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Cho, Ji-young (March 7, 2023). [공식] 손석구X김성철X김동휘X홍경 '댓글부대'로 뭉쳤다..6일 크랭크인 [[Official] Son Suk-ku X Kim Sung-cheol X Kim Dong-hwi X Hong Kyung, united in 'The Comments Army'..Crank in on the 6th] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Retrieved March 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Son, Jung-bin (January 31, 2024). 손석구 기자 됐다...영화 '댓글부대' 3월27일 공개 [Son Suk-ku became a reporter...Movie 'The Comments Army' released on March 27th] (in Korean). Newsis. Retrieved March 25, 2024 – via Naver.
