2023 ‘유령’ Directed by Lee Hae-young
Set in 1933 during the Japanese colonization of Korea, "Ghost" will be an espionage action film written and directed by Lee Hae-young. It will tell the story of five people suspected of being a mysterious "ghost," a spy for an anti-Japanese resistance group. Trapped inside an isolated hotel, the five characters must use their wits to survive and escape while suspecting one another.
Lee Hae-young's PHANTOM kicks off the Korean film calendar with a bang. This elegant and energetic Japanese Colonial Era spy thriller begins as a brooding and tense chamber piece before exploding into a breathless bacchanal of action and double crosses.
Awash in reds and greens, the film is captivatingly stylish. Costumes are a highlight, including striking footwear that adroitly introduces its characters. Also loved the female-centric action staging and toned-down nationalism. It's a wonderful big-screen experience.
Sul Kyung-gu continues a run of rich roles, Park Hae-soo is on form and indie stalwart Seo Hyun-woo shines in an amusing turn. However, PHANTOM belongs to its actresses, from a stolid Lee Ha-nee and fiery Park So-dam down to the brief but lingering presence of Esom. #유령
