Hard Hit Explained

Hard Hit
Native Name:
Hangul:발신제한
Hanja:發信制限
Rr:Balsinjehan
Director:Kim Chang-ju
Producer:Kim Hyun-chul
Lee Dae-hee
Kim Kwon-sik
Min Kyung-wook
Music:Kim Tae-seong
Cinematography:Kim Tae-soo
Editing:Kim Chang-ju
Studio:TPS Company
CJ Entertainment
Distributor:CJ Entertainment
Runtime:94 minutes[1]
Country:South Korea
Language:Korean
Budget:7 billion
Gross:US$6.7 million[2]

Hard Hit is a 2021 South Korean action crime film directed by Kim Chang-ju and starring Jo Woo-jin, Lee Jae-in and Ji Chang-wook. The film depicts the unpredictable circumstances the members of an ordinary family have to deal with after a mysterious phone call puts them in a horrific situation.[3] It is a remake of Retribution, a 2015 Spanish action thriller film directed by Dani de la Torre.

The film was theatrically released on June 23, 2021.[4] It grossed $6.7 million domestically, becoming the fifth-highest-grossing Korean film of 2021.[5] [6]

Plot

Seong-gyu (Jo Woo-jin), a manager of a branch of a bank in Busan, heads to work in his car with his daughter Hye-in (Lee Jae-in), who is about to take her entrance examination, and son. He gets a call, on a phone he discovers in the car's glove compartment, with a restricted caller ID (also known by the slang ‘black call’). The mysterious caller informs him that there is a bomb under his seat and if he tries to get out of the car it will explode. This triggers the beginning of a nightmare situation for the Seong-gyu family in the middle of downtown Busan.

It is later revealed the mysterious caller is Jin-woo, a former employee of the chemical factory where Seong-gyu scammed all the employees of the factory in an investment that gives him the position of branch manager. Despite the effort of the employees in suing the bank, they were unable to receive back their money which caused some of them to commit suicide after losing all their life savings. It turned out that Jin-Woo's wife committed suicide along with her unborn child because of this incident. Consequently, Jin-Woo is seeking revenge against Seong-gyu for his embezzlement that cost the life of his wife and unborn child.

After forcing Seong-gyu to commit suicide by driving the car into the river, Seong-gyu decides to save both of them from drowning and surrendering himself to the police for his past crime and exposing the scam the bank has committed.

Cast

Production

Casting

On January 13, 2020, Ji Chang-wook was confirmed to be starring in the film alongside Jo Woo-jin. Ji Chang-wook last appeared on the big screen in the 2017 film Fabricated City.[11] It was also Kim Ji-ho's first appearance on screen after a four year break; she last appeared in the 2017 film Steel Rain.[12]

The film is produced by TPS Company, with a production cost of 7 billion, and is distributed by CJ Entertainment.[13] With this film, Kim Chang-joo made his debut as a director.[14]

Filming

Filming began in early February 2020 in Haeundae City, a district of Busan, and wrapped in May 2020. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city's roads were not crowded so the chase scenes were able to be filmed comfortably. Photos of the film being shot in Busan were released on June 23, 2021, the day of the film's release.[15]

Release

The film was released theatrically in South Korea on June 23, 2021, on 1010 screens.

It was released theatrically in Taiwan on July 22, 2021.[16]

The film was screened at the 10th Korean Film Festival Frankfurt on October 23, 2021.[17]

Home media

The film was made available for streaming on IPTV, TVING, Naver TV, GOM Player, Google Play, One Store, and KakaoPage from July 20, 2021.[18]

Reception

Box office

According to the integrated computer network for movie theater admissions by the Korea Film Council (KoFiC), the film attained first place at the Korean box office. As of June 23, 2021, it had amassed 57000 admissions, which was the best opening record among Korean films released in 2021.[19] The film maintained its first place during the first week by mobilising 39,277,[20] 47,505,[21] 105,496[22] 100,912,[23] 35,743[24] and 35,114 admissions on the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh days, respectively. The admission total at the end of the seventh day was 421,581.[25]

According to the Korean Film Council, as of November 15, 2021, it stands at fifth place among all the Korean films released in the year 2021, with a gross of US$7.78 million and 955,809 admissions.[26]

Critical response

Lee Da-won, writing for Sports Trend, opined that the power of the story lay in the conveyance of the message of 'human morality' and 'family love' alongside the thrills. Da-won praised Jo Woo-jin for expressing tension, remorse, and apologetic feelings with facial expressions as for 80% of the film he acts from the confined space of a driver's seat. She felt that Ji Chang-wook is a new find in completely different role in this film, and recommended that audiences head back to the theatre to see the film.[27]

Yang So-young, writing for Star Today, praised the performance of actors Lee Jae-in and Jo Woo-jin. Writing about Jo Woo-jin, So-young said, "Jo Woo-jin persuasively portrays the fear, tension, urgency, and fatherly love that Seong-gyu feels in a confined and enclosed space." In conclusion, So-young wrote, "Literally no smoke holes, the second half may be disappointing depending on the audience, but you can enjoy 94 minutes."[28]

Kim Young-sik, reviewing for Within News, praised the performance of Jo Woo-jin and wrote, "A work that definitely stands out for actor Jo Woo-jin's passionate performance." Young-sik also praised the car chase scenes, and noted that these are a standout for a solo lead.[29]

Choo Seung-hyun of Seoul Economy praised the performances of Jo Woo-jin and Lee Jae-in. Highlighting the strengths of director Kim, who has previously worked as a film editor, Seung-hyun wrote, "The audience follows the same timeline as the main character, giving the impression of being right next to each other..." Seung-hyun liked the runtime of the film and wrote, "The running time of 94 minutes, which is neither too long nor too short, was expressed plainly without any fuss."[30]

Jeon Hyeong-hwa, reviewing for Star News, wrote that the film is a familiar scenario so, to make it seem more fresh, the film was kept pacey. He praised the performances of Jo Woo-jin and Lee Jae-in. He noted that the charm of Busan is fully captured on a large screen, and concluded, "A movie proves that it tastes good only when it is seen in a theatre."[31]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardsCategoryRecipientResultRef.
202130th Buil Film AwardsBest Supporting ActressLee Jae-in[32]
42nd Blue Dragon Film AwardsBest New DirectorKim Chang-ju[33]
Best Editing Award
202258th Baeksang Arts AwardsBest New Director[34] [35]

Notes and References

  1. News: '발신제한', 멈출 수 없는 94분의 스릴..짜릿한 도심 추격 . Kim Mi-hwa . 'Call Restriction', the thrill of 94 minutes that can't be stopped.. Exciting city chase . Star News . . June 14, 2021 . June 14, 2021 . ko.
  2. Web site: KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) HARD HIT (2021). December 12, 2021. KOFIC.
  3. News: '발신제한' 김창주 감독 - 해운대 질주의 스릴과 서스펜스 . Jo Hyunna . 'Restricted Calls' Director Kim Chang-joo-The thrill and suspense of running at Haeundae . . January 23, 2021. May 18, 2021. ko.
  4. News: '발신제한' 6월 23일 개봉 확정…조우진 "건강하게 극장에서 만나요" . 'Send Restriction' to be released on June 23rd... Jo Woo-jin "See you at the theater in good health" . Kim Yoo-jin . Export News . Naver. June 7, 2021. June 7, 2021. ko.
  5. News: '발신제한' 10일째 만에 50만 돌파…올 개봉 한국영화 중 처음 "감사" [Nbox] ]. Jung Yoo-jin . 'Outgoing Restriction' exceeded 500,000 in 10 days... "Thank you" for the first time among Korean films released this year [Nbox] . News 1 . . July 2, 2021 . July 2, 2021 . ko.
  6. Web site: KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) Year 2021 (All films ranking). December 12, 2021 . KOFIC.
  7. News: '조우진 주연 '발신제한', 6월 개봉…'내 차에 폭탄이 있다' . 'Restricted Calls' starring Jo Woo-jin, released in June... 'I have a bomb in my car' . Jeong Yu-jin . News1 . May 17, 2021. May 18, 2021. ko.
  8. News: Jeon Hyung-hwa . [단독]진기주 '미드나이트' 티빙 공개-지창욱 '발신제한' 극장 개봉..변화의 시작 [종합]]. [Exclusive] Jin Ki-joo'Midnight' Teabing Revealed-Ji Chang-wook's'Restricted Calls' Theater Opened.. Beginning of Change [Comprehensive] . Star News . May 10, 2021. May 18, 2021. ko.
  9. News: '발신제한' 진경x김지호x류승수, 명품 조연진의 시너지 폭발 . Synergy explosion of 'Send Restriction' Jinkyung x Kim Jiho x Ryu Seungsu, and luxury Jo Yeonjin . Kim Bo-ra . Osen . Naver. June 9, 2021. June 9, 2021. ko.
  10. News: 진경·김지호·류승수, '발신제한'의 신스틸러들 . Jin-kyung, Kim Ji-ho, and Ryu Seung-soo, new stealers of 'Send Restriction' . KPark Jeong-seon . Daily Sports . Naver. June 9, 2021. June 9, 2021. ko.
  11. News: 지창욱 측 "차기작 '응징' 출연 확정"…조우진과 호흡 맞춘다 . Kim So-yeon . Ji Chang-wook side "confirmed to appear in the next film,'Retribution" Breathe with Woojin Jo . Daily Economic Star . Naver. January 13, 2020 . May 18, 2021 . ko.
  12. News: 김지호 '발신제한'으로 4년만에 스크린 컴백…조우진 아내 役 [공식] ]. Noh Gyu-min . Kim Ji-ho makes a screen comeback after 4 years with 'Send Restriction'... Jo Woo-jin as wife [Official] . Ten Asia . . June 15, 2021 . June 16, 2021 . ko.
  13. News: [단독] 지창욱 차기작은 '응징'..조우진 손잡고 스크린行 ]. Moon Ji-yeon . [Exclusive] Ji Chang-wook's next small 'retribution' ..Jo Woo-jin joins hands on the screen 行 . . Naver. January 13, 2020 . May 18, 2021 . ko.
  14. Web site: [Movie] Ji Chang Wook becomes a person of unknown identity in "Restricted Call" ]. Ji Chang Wook's Kitchen . January 11, 2021 . May 18, 2021 . en.
  15. News: 부산 올로케 촬영 도심 추격 스릴러 '발신제한' 개봉 . Lee Jong-min . Busan Oloque shooting city chase thriller 'Call Restriction' released . . . June 23, 2021 . June 23, 2021 . ko.
  16. News: '발신제한', 대만에서도 본다…'韓흥행 이어 한 달 만에 해외개봉' . 'Send Restriction' is also seen in Taiwan... 'Overseas release in a month after a hit in Korea' . Kang Hyo-jin . Sports TV News . . July 26, 2021. July 27, 2021. ko.
  17. News: Hard Hit / 발신제한 . Korean Film Festival Frankfurt . WordPress . October 23, 2021 . December 29, 2021 . June 27, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220627233616/https://projectkffm.de/en/hard-hit . dead .
  18. News: 조우진 '발신제한' "안방 극장에서 보세요" . Jo Woo-jin 'Call Restriction' "See it at the small screen" . Baek Seung-hoon . . . July 20, 2021 . July 27, 2021 . ko.
  19. News: 조우진 '발신제한' 개봉 첫날 1위…올해 韓영화 최고 오프닝 . Ji-eun Kim . Jo Woo-jin's 'Send Restriction' took first place on the first day of release... Best Korean movie opening of the year . . . June 24, 2021 . June 24, 2021 . ko.
  20. News: [공식] 조우진 '발신제한', 이틀 연속 흥행 1위 굳히기..10만 돌파 목전 ]. Jo Ji-young . [Official] Jo Woo-jin's 'Send Restriction' solidifies first place at the box office for two days in a row... nearing 100,000 mark . . . June 25, 2021 . June 25, 2021 . ko.
  21. News: '발신제한' 3일 연속 박스오피스 1위 독주…조우진 흥행 파워 계속 . Jo Eun-ae . 'Send Restriction' topped the box office for 3 days in a row... Jo Woo-jin's box office power continues . Sports Korea . Hankook . June 26, 2021 . June 26, 2021 . ko.
  22. News: '발신제한', 주말 관객도 꽉 잡았다…4일 연속 1위→20만 돌파 . Kim Ji-hye . 'Send Restriction' caught the weekend audience too... 1st place for 4 days in a row → exceeded 200,000 . SBS Entertainment News . . June 27, 2021 . June 27, 2021 . ko.
  23. News: 조우진 '발신제한', 韓 영화 개봉 주 최다 관객…누적 35만 돌파 . Kim Ji-hye . Jo Woo-jin's 'Send Restriction', the largest audience in a Korean movie release week... Cumulatively exceeded 350,000 . SBS Entertainment News . . June 28, 2021 . June 28, 2021 . ko.
  24. News: '발신제한', 이유 있는 40만 흥행…조우진·지창욱 연기 폭발 . Yu-min . 'Send Restriction', 400,000 hits for a reason... Jo Woo-jin and Ji Chang-wook's smoke explosion . . . June 29, 2021 . June 29, 2021 . ko.
  25. News: '발신제한' 7일 연속 1위…누적 42만↑ [Nbox] ]. Koh Seung-ah . 'Send Restriction' ranked first for 7 days in a row... Accumulated 420,000↑ [Nbox] . News 1 . . June 30, 2021 . June 30, 2021 . ko.
  26. Web site: KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) All Korean films box office ranking. November 15, 2021. KOFIC.
  27. News: '발신제한' 수신 환영 [편파적인 씨네리뷰] ]. Lee Da-won . Welcome to 'Send Restriction' [Unbiased Cinereview] . Sports Trend . . June 17, 2021 . June 17, 2021 . ko.
  28. News: '발신제한' 조우진 해냈다[리뷰] ]. Yang So-young . 'Send Restriction' Jo Woo-jin did it [Review] . Star Today . . June 17, 2021 . June 17, 2021 . ko.
  29. News: [리뷰] 배우 조우진의 열연이 돋보이는 작품. 영화 '발신제한' ]. Kim Young-sik . [Review] A work that stands out for actor Jo Woo-jin's passionate performance. Film 'Restricted Calls' . Within News . June 17, 2021 . June 17, 2021 . ko.
  30. News: '대박부동산' 10일 스페셜 방송 편성…미방분 영상 공개[공식] ]. Choo Seung-hyun . [Review] 'Send Restriction' 94 minutes with no time to breathe... Finally, it has come . Seoul Economy . . June 22, 2021 . June 22, 2021 . ko.
  31. News: [리뷰] '발신제한' 시작부터 갇히고 달린다 ]. Jeon Hyeong-hwa . [Review] Trapped and running from the start of 'Send Restriction' . Star News . . June 22, 2021 . June 22, 2021 . ko.
  32. Web site: 모가디슈' ·'자산어보' 13개 부문 중 8개 부문 후보에 올라. Jo Young-mi. Mogadishu’ and ‘Jasaneobo’ were nominated for 8 out of 13 categories. . Naver. August 26, 2021. September 3, 2021. ko.
  33. News: https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=117&aid=0003550938 . ko:[제42회 청룡영화상, 후보 발표…류승완 '모가디슈' 최다 부문 노미네이트 [공식]|trans-title= 42nd Blue Dragon Film Awards, nominations announced... Ryoo Seung-wan 'Mogadishu' Nominated for Most Category [Official] |author=Kim Nara |date=November 1, 2021 |access-date=November 1, 2021|work=My Daily |publisher=Naver|language=ko.
  34. News: 제 58회 백상예술대상. 58 Nominees · Works. April 11, 2022. April 11, 2022. Baeksang Arts Awards. ko.
  35. Web site: 58회 백상예술대상 후보 공개…영광의 주인공은?. 58th Baeksang Arts Awards nominations revealed... Who is the hero of glory? . Ahn Byung-gil. Sports Kyunghyang. Naver. April 11, 2022. April 11, 2022. ko.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Hard Hit".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.