[FILM REVIEW] PILOT (2024)

Directed by Kim Han Kyul, who successfully debuted with Crazy Romance in 2019, PILOT tells the story of renowned pilot Han Jung Woo (played by Cho Jung Seok) who gets blacklisted in the industry due to a careless mistake on his part.  While filled with moments of comedy, the movie does not stray away from important topics revolving around gender and sexuality. These topics do not dampen the mood within the movie but instead contribute to the plot.

Prepare to be in a theatre filled with raucous laughter and piercing giggles while watching Cho Jung Seok kill his role in PILOT! The movie is one that everyone has been anticipating, largely because Cho Jung Seok is known for his prowess as an actor. Undoubtedly, the rest of the actors alongside Cho Jung Seok in the movie match his energy as well.

Viewers can also expect to see Lee Ju Myung, Han Sun Hwa, and Shin Seung Ho showing off their acting chops in PILOT. Fans of the recently aired drama My Sweet Mobster may be familiar with Han Sun Hwa, who takes on the role of Han Jung Mi, Han Jung Woo’s sister who plays a big role in his transformation. There is no doubt that the audience will be in for a good time, from the moment the movie starts!

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

When Han Jung Woo impulsively applies for a job using his sister’s name in a drunken fit, he does not expect to be called for an interview the day after. Unable to let go of this chance to be a pilot again, Jung Woo prepares for his transformation as female pilot Han Jung Mi. Viewers will be entertained by Jung Woo’s attempts to transform himself into his sister, which involves a lot of tape usage to various parts of the body. With the help of his sister, both siblings reach a point where they are undoubtedly satisfied with the transformation.

However, for the sake of his son and livelihood, Jung Woo dresses up to the nines and attends the interview for the role of a female pilot. It was mind-numbing for the audience to see how Jung Woo transformed every single time he had to go out to work. At the same time, it was amazing to see Cho Jung Seok immersed in his role.

It is only when Jung Woo disguises himself as a female pilot, that he realises how differently pilots are treated according to their gender. While he carries out his duties professionally and with expertise, Jung Woo sees himself being sexually appraised by male colleagues and superiors. As his junior, Seo Hyun Suk (played by Shin Seung Ho) seems to find his co-pilot “Han Jung Mi” familiar. However, Hyun Suk dismisses the thought easily and tirelessly flirts with Han Jung Woo while in his guise.

Newfound Female Camaraderie

On the other hand, Yoon Seul Ki (played by Lee Ju Myung) is a fellow female pilot who gets closer to Han Jung Woo over time. Unlike other ladies who would rather agree to disagree and not make a fuss, Seul Ki stands up for herself and others in her position. She understands that it is tough to be a female pilot in a male-dominated aviation industry, and because of that, she has an iron exterior which makes her come off as brash and not as feminine.

However, as time passes, she gets closer to Han Jung Woo in his female guise. They spend time together and hang out as friends. Seul Ki feels like she has found a friend in “Jung Mi”. What happens when both of them find out things that they did not expect to know about each other?

Review

If ever one is looking for a way to de-stress, watching PILOT is one of the best ways to do that. Leave all worries behind and grab a popcorn, while watching this comedy movie with a friend or two! Han Sun Hwa matches Cho Jung Seok’s energy while acting as Han Jung Mi. Her comedic timing makes the show even more enjoyable to watch, and the audience can expect a lot of scenes where she has everyone cackling with glee over her antics. Lee Ju Myung’s character as Yoon Seul Ki will have everyone swooning over her as she gets protective and worries about Han Jung Woo in his female guise. While she is serious and fierce, Seul Ki is an entirely different person when it comes to her “Han Jung Mi unnie“.

Laughter is the best medicine, so why not take this opportunity to enjoy a few hours of entertainment with friends and family?

Find out how Han Jung Woo, a man who usually thinks of himself first, develops a rather different worldview as a female pilot. What happens next? Will life go on as usual? Or will all hell break loose someday?

PILOT is now out in cinemas nationwide in Singapore! Book your tickets now!

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Running Time: 111 minutes
The Seoul Story’s Rating: 5/5 

Written by: Aqilah
Photos by: Purple Plan

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