| Man on the Edge | |
| Director: | Jo Jin-kyu |
| Producer: | Kim Woo-jae |
| Screenplay: | Park Gyu-tae |
| Starring: | Park Shin-yang |
| Music: | Jang Young-gyu Dalpalan |
| Cinematography: | Jung Ki-won |
| Editing: | Shin Min-kyung |
| Distributor: | Showbox |
| Runtime: | 128 minutes |
| Country: | South Korea |
| Language: | Korean |
| Gross: | [1] |
Man on the Edge (Korean: 박수건달; RR: Baksoogundal) is a 2013 South Korean film directed by Jo Jin-kyu. The story follows Gwang-ho (Park Shin-yang), the right-hand man of a powerful crime boss, as he struggles with the realization that he is destined to become a shaman.[2] Man on the Edge is director Jo Jin-kyu's fifth film; his debut feature, My Wife Is a Gangster, is credited with sparking the popularity of gangster themes in Korean cinema.[3] In a press conference for the film, lead actor Park Shin-yang told the audience that among his other preparations, he went to a shaman to learn more about the traditional practices.[4]
After a knife wound alters the fate line on his palm, high-class gangster Gwang-ho experiences a series of strange events, including voices beckoning him and objects inexplicably moving around him. One such event occurs when a newspaper, seemingly blown by the wind, persistently follows Gwang-ho as he tries to run away. The newspaper features a large ad for a fortune teller, who Gwang-ho decides to visit. The fortune teller reveals that the strange events are being caused by a spirit. In order to accept the spirit and begin fulfilling his destiny as a shaman, he must perform a ritual. Unable to escape his fate, Gwang-ho begins a double life, working as a fortune teller by day and a criminal by evening—a life that is increasingly difficult to maintain. Meanwhile, Tae-joo (Kim Jung-tae), a rival member of the gang, is plotting to get rid of Gwang-ho and take his place. Tae-joo's henchmen spy on Gwang-ho, and as they begin to discover his secret, they use their discoveries to try to destroy him.[5] [6] [7]
The film was released on January 9, 2013, and remained at #1 at the South Korean box office throughout the month,[9] selling 3,897,969 tickets during its theatrical run. It received mixed reviews, with audiences generally rating it higher than film critics. Many reporters described it as a fun movie with compelling performances; some criticized the story's unrealistic circumstances, while others hailed the story as unique and interesting.[10] [11] [12] [13] When the film was released in Japan, Japanese production and distribution company SPO held a 'Park Shin-yang Festival 2014' at Toho Cinemas Roppongi Hills. The festival ran from February 1–14, screening other films featuring the actor in addition to the main feature.[14]
| Year | Awards | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 49th Baeksang Arts Awards | Most Popular - Actor (Film) | Park Shin-yang | [15] | |
| Most Popular - Actress (Film) | Uhm Ji-won | ||||
| 22nd Buil Film Awards | Best Supporting Actress | ||||
| 50th Grand Bell Awards | |||||
| Best New Actress | Chun Min-hee | ||||