Title: 아저씨 | AjeossiThe Man From Nowhere
Genre: Action | Drama
Released Date: August 5, 2010
Synopsis:
Cha Tae-Sik is a pawn shop owner with a secret past. He keeps to himself and go on with his life alone. Until, Jung So-Mi, a nosy, talkative and often, gets into trouble kid due to stealing and daughter of his nightclub dancer neighor, visits him often. They created a certain sort of friendship and bond as both are lonely. Their existence got into a frenzy when Jun So-Mi’s mother, Hyo-Jeong ended up stealing cocaine from the mob, that runs illegal organ harvesting, prostitution and drug trafficking. She and Jun So-Mi ended up being taken and Cha Tae-Sik was left and force to really care enough to try and save them. He ends up being the target of both the mob and the police. The question is will he be able to save them and himself on time?
Characters:
- Won Bin as Cha Tae-Sik
- Kim Sae-Ron as Jung So-Mi
- Kim Hee-Won as Man-Sik
- Kim Sung-Oh as Jong-Suk
- Kim Tae-Hoon as Det. Kim Chi-Gon
- Lee Jong-l as Det. No
- Thanayong Wongtrakul as Ramrowan
- Kim Hyo-Seo as Hyo-Jeong
- Song Young-Chang as Oh Myung-Gyu
- Baek Soo-Ryun as Comic Book Store Lady
- Nam Kyoung-Eub as Section Chief
- Park Seong-Taek as Loan Shark Boss
- Jo Suk-Hyun as Moon Dal-Seo
- Jo Jae-Yun as Jang Doo-Sik
- Hong So-Hee as Kim Yeon-Soo
- Hwang Min-Ho as Nam Sung-Sik
- Jung Min-Sung as Information Bureau
- Kwak Byung-Kyu as Det. Kim
- Yoo Yeon-Mi as Mi-Jin
- Ryoo Ui-Hyun as Delivery Boy
- Lee Jae-Won as Ddochi
- Jang Joon-Nyoung as Oh Sang-Man
- Kim Chul-Moo as Workspace Big Man
- Ki Se-Hyung as Unit Member
- Ryoo Sung-Hoon as Golf Course Big Man
- Han Chul-Woo as Private Loan Office Employee
- Jo Yong-Hyun as Waiter
- Son Sang-Gyeong as Gom
My Review:
Unlike K-Dramas shown on TV, Korean Films are no holds bar. As K-Dramas are so borderline ultra-conservative, their films are totally opposite. All the gore and sex you would like to find can almost all be shown on their films. So, it isn’t surprising that this film is not only filled with action but very visual in sequences of its action scenes. However, beyond the blood and the killing lies a very unique story. Although, we often see films with the premise of the man killing the bad guys and do the revenge thing, it is most of the time because of his family or someone blood-related. However, on this one, Cha Tae-Sik is not even related to Jung So-Mi of any means as she is truly just his spunky neighbor’s kid. If we will look at it as that, it doesn’t truly make sense why Cha Tae-Sik will even get involved and risks his life for this kid. But, there lies the story, his back story, who he is and what drives him as a man and as a person. It is fast-paced with no scenes wasted and exceptionally done that it allowed me to look over the gore and actually finds pleasure of the bad guys being killed by him. I, actually, feel even pissed-off with the police for getting his way. I am not into vigilantism myself if I will think the principle behind it but with the evil things this mob does, I can’t help but find pleasure for their fate. I would probably feel the need to do the same as Cha Tae-Sik did if I were in his shoes. After watching the movie, I even ended up wishing there will be Cha Tae-Siks in real life, who can do what he does and willing to do the same, kill these truly scum of the earth human beings, if they can even be called as such.
So, What do I Like About this K-Film?
(1) The actors especially Won Bin, Kim Sae-Ron and Kim Hee-Won have brilliantly portrayed their roles as the good, the innocent and the bad, respectively.
(2) Even with the gore that you sometimes see in the actions scenes, it wasn’t done to the point that you will mind it and churn your stomach. The director of the film has successfully made me so indignant with the bad guys that I actually felt happy to see these low-lifes suffer. So, the bloodiness is not something that bothered me albeit welcomed it.
(3) I am not surprised that this film won the 2010 Best Film of the Year Award. It truly deserves it even if I am more of chic-flick and romcom kind of a gal when it comes to entertainment.
(4) There’s no moment that will bore you. There’s minimal talk, it is more felt, thus, it gives more impact to the audience.
(5) The back story is brief and not cumbersome. It relates it in a quick way but effectively says it all.
What I do Not Like About this K-Film?
I think it is perfect as it is. There’s nothing I would like to change.
Would I recommend this K-Drama? Yes, 100%
My Rating to this Film
( See My Rating System: ) 5/5 Stars
OST:
01. The Man From Nowhere OST – Mad Soul Child
02. Dear – Mad Soul Child
03. Sik s Memory – In Tae
04. Trash Can – Various Artists
05. Mother In Danger – Various Artists
06. Chasing Her – Various Artists
07. Chain Of Mystery – Various Artists
08. Fights In Golf Club – Various Artists
09. Finding Clue – Various Artists
10. Somi in Danger – Various Artists
11. Surviving Today – Shim Hyun-Jung
12. Agent. Tae – Sik
13. Dirty Cash – Mystery
14. His Path Of Life – Various Artists
15. There’s No One But You – Various Artists
16. Shave Himself – Various Artists
17. Delivering Drug – Various Artists
18. Jump Off – Various Artists
19. Spit – Mystery
20. The Last Bullet – Various Artists
21. Ajussi – Shim Hyun-Jung
22. Dark Knight – Shim Hyun-Jung