[FILM REVIEW] THE CHILDE (2023)

Fans of Kim Seon Ho rejoice! The actor has made his big screen debut in the movie The Childe, a neo-noir action thriller film featuring other stars like Go Ara and Kim Kang Woo. Directed by Park Hoon Jung, The Childe is a movie which has been highly anticipated for ever since it was confirmed that Kim Seon Ho was casted as one of the lead actors! It came as a surprise to a lot of people when it was revealed that Kim Seon Ho was making his acting comeback as an assassin, though it did trigger curiosity in the minds of many. However, there will be more opportunities to see the talented actor in other dramas and films as well, so stay tuned. Other than Kim Seon Ho, the audience can expect to see Go Ara as well.

Kim Seon Ho is not the only one who is making his movie debut in The Childe. Up-and-rising actor Kang Tae Joo who stars alongside him, also showcases his acting chops in the film. It was said that he had to undergo a few rounds of audition for the film, where competition was fierce and adaptation skills were necessary. His perseverance paid off, and his talent and grit got him to where he is now.

An Unfortunate Life

In the movie, Marco (Kang Tae Joo), a boxer of Korean-Filipino descent, goes around attending illegal underground fights in the Philippines to raise money to fund his mother’s surgery. Desperate for help, he employs the help of Kim Seon Saeng (Lee Ki Young) who runs an orphanage for Kopinos (a term to refer to a person with a mix of Korean and Filipino blood). However, the orphanage owner returns Marco’s money, admitting that he is unable to help. After an accident, where Marco was hit by Yoon Ju‘s (Go Ara) car, he was approached by his father’s lawyer who urged him to fly to Korea for some reason. He even assures Marco that his mother will be taken care of while he is in Korea.

While on the plane ride to Korea, Marco encounters the Nobleman (Kim Seon Ho), who mocks and taunts him. He keeps making Marco wonder about the real reason why his father is looking for him, after all this time. It makes him uncertain and wary about the lawyer who is bringing him to his father, especially when the Nobleman makes fun of how Marco will be killed soon. Little by little, Marco begins to doubt that he is being brought to Korea only because his biological father is looking for him.

Wild Goose Chase

Marco keeps getting chased down by the Nobleman, who is determined to catch him. However, in this game of cat and mouse, the Nobleman seems to be having fun running after Marco. True to his name, he tries his best not to get himself injured, or to let his appearance be affected in the midst of catching up with the younger man. Unlike the usual assassin, the Nobleman can be seen coughing drastically as he tries his best to keep up with the athletic Marco.

After a while, it gets more and more obvious that he has more than one person hot on his heels. Dashing through the forests and empty roads, the audience will see Marco attempt to escape from the various people who are trying to catch him. His half-siblings get intertwined into the mess, as they sought capture Marco for their own selfish reasons. It stumps Marco, as he realises that this was not what he signed up for when he said that he wanted to meet his biological father. Look forward to intense fighting scenes as the story unravels, and as Marco realises that it may have been better to stay in the Philippines.

Review

The audience can expect to see moments where the Nobleman acts unlike an assassin, getting out of breath as he loses track of his prey. Unlike the usual cold-blooded assassin, the Nobleman does crack a joke every so often, which dispels the tension in the theatre. Kim Seon Ho’s character does justice to the role that he is playing, considering that it is not often that he takes up such characters.

It was a pleasure seeing Go Ara and Kim Seon Ho back on the big screen after a long time. Movie-goers will have to keep an eye out for the twists and turns that will be unveiled near the end of the movie. It may come as no surprise to everyone that Kim Seon Ho is an amazing actor, however Kang Tae Joo did an amazing job as well. As one of the main characters in The Childe, he manages to showcase his acting chops and prove to everyone that he is a competent newbie.

The lack of variety of scenes may throw the audience off a little. With Marco running all over the place and the assassins going after him relentlessly, the number of chasing scenes on the roads may seem endless after a while. As it is ultimately a neo-noir movie, the lack of vibrancy is to be expected, along with the somewhat sombre mood. The bits of humour sprinkled here and there does lighten the mood when needed!

The Childe will start playing from 28 June 2023 onwards at Golden Village cinemas islandwide. Do not miss out on seeing Kim Seon Ho and Kang Tae Joo in their first movie debut!

BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE
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Running Time: 118 minutes
The Seoul Story’s Rating: 3.5/5 

We would like to extend our huge thanks to Golden Village Pictures for the invite!

Written by: Aqilah
Photos by: Golden Village Pictures

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