Courtesy of CJ ENM
Director Chung Ji-young's latest feature film, "The Boys," is based on actual events but features a fictional lead character for dramatic purposes.
The film follows newly-appointed police officer Hwang Jun-cheol, portrayed by Sol Kyung-gu, as he plays a crucial role in re-investigating a 1999 robbery and homicide case in a small southwestern town. This case involved the suffocation death of an elderly shopkeeper. The initial investigation quickly closed the case, bringing fame to the police investigative team. However, Hwang eventually uncovers that evidence, if any, was significantly fabricated by his fellow officers as part of a political power struggle.
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| ▲ Courtesy of CJ ENM |
Sixteen years later, Hwang persuades one of the actual perpetrators to appear in court and confess to the crime, which would lead to the exoneration of three wrongfully convicted boys who face a retrial. Throughout this process, Hwang confronts the corrupt and powerful police system, even though he and his daughter are deeply entwined within it.
Chung Ji-young blends fact and fiction in "The Boys" to deliver a compelling message. The film draws inspiration from the real-life Samryenara Supermarket case, intertwining reality and fiction to emphasize the idea that justice ultimately prevails, albeit at a cost.
The director's aim is to encourage a nationwide self-reflection on how authorities and the public have often overlooked the suffering of the underprivileged and less fortunate. Sol Kyung-gu delivers a powerful performance as the fictional character Hwang, an embodiment of truth and justice, who grapples with the temptation to compromise with reality.
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| ▲ Courtesy of CJ ENM |
Supporting actors, including Yeom Hye-ran and Heo Sung-tae, contribute to the film's narrative, providing relief from its heavy atmosphere.
The film employs a non-linear narrative, switching between different time periods, which may pose a challenge for some viewers. As the story progresses, courtroom scenes become emotionally charged, particularly in the climactic confrontation between the three boys and the key antagonists, played by Yu Jun-sang and Cho Jin-woong.
"The Boys" is scheduled for release next Wednesday, offering audiences a thought-provoking cinematic experience.
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