[FILM REVIEW] ESCAPE (2024)

The privilege to fail does not come to just anyone. In a world where people can taste failure while on the journey towards success, Im Kyu Nam is one of the few people who has always dreamt of building a new life in South Korea. The main character Im Kyu Nam, is played by Lee Je Hoon. Many K-drama fans will know him from Taxi Driver and Move to Heaven. In ESCAPE, Lee Je Hoon plays a North Korean soldier who has plans to cross the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) and pursue his dreams. Koo Kyo Hwan plays Ri Hyun Sang, an officer from the State Security Department of North Korea tasked to track down Im Kyu Hwan.

Viewers can expect to be drawn by the suspense and amazing acting throughout the movie, as Im Kyu Nam brings Officer Ri on a wild goose chase. Hong Xa Bin plays Kim Dong Hyeok, a fellow North Korean soldier who gets caught up in Kyu Nam’s schemes. Get ready for a wild ride from the moment the movie starts!

Escape Attempt Goes Wrong

When Im Kyu Nam planned out his escape, he did not take into consideration the fact that someone else within his platoon has been watching his every move. Dong Hyeok, who admires the older man, is determined to escape his fate and join his sister and mother in South Korea. Unfortunately, both soldiers get caught before they can get past the fences.

In a twist of fate, Dong Hyeok gets locked up, while Kyu Nam is hailed as a hero. This is where Officer Ri Hyun Sang makes his appearance, greeting Kyu Nam like an old friend. It turns out that both men have known each other since young. Officer Ri differs from Kyu Nam in a sense that he comes from a well-to-do family, and is at the higher rungs of the hierarchy within the society. Kyu Nam, on the other hand, is the only surviving member of his simple family.

Officer Ri brings Kyu Nam to get his medal of honour and recognition, away from where Dong Hyeok is kept captive. However, while Officer Ri gets distracted by the guests and Sun Woo Min (Song Kang), Kyu Nam plots his next steps.

There is no way he is not taking the chance to get away.

Tensions Rise Amidst Chaos

Left and right, Officer Ri entertains small talks from the other members of society, as they ask him about his expecting wife. While Kyu Nam plots, Officer Ri shows off his flair as a pianist, while Sun Woo Min has his eyes on him the whole time. Time is ticking, and Kyu Nam has to get to Dong Hyeok and escape soon.

When Officer Ri realises that Kyu Nam is not abandoning his plans to defect, he summons his men and begins his mission of hunting down Kyu Nam. Viewers will be gripping the edge of their seats during the entire chase, as Kyu Nam leads the group of men on a merry chase.

However, just when freedom seems to be within reach, Kyu Nam and Officer Ri Hyun Sang face each other again.

Review

Fast-paced and packed with action from the very start, there is never a dull moment for movie goers. Koo Kyo Hwan exudes charisma and compels everyone with his magnetic leadership. Lee Je Hoon and Hong Xa Bin make sure that the audience knows how desperate they are to defect, in other to achieve their respective goals.

It is interesting to see the relationship between Koo Kyo Hwan and Song Kang’s characters, as viewers pick up crumbs from the short flashbacks of their time overseas, and the brief exchanges during the social party.

Lee Je Hoon, Koo Kyo Hwan, and Hong Xa Bin’s stellar acting is complemented by the acting of various other actors like Esom, Song Kang, and Lee Ho Jung. Movie goers can expect to enjoy an action-packed film filled with brilliant acting and heart-stopping suspense.

Want to know if Im Kyu Nam and Kim Dong Hyeok managed to escape Officer Ri Hyun Sang’s clutches? Click on the link below to book your tickets now!

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Running Time: 94 minutes
The Seoul Story’s Rating: 5/5 

Written by: Aqilah
Photos by: Purple Plan

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