In an era where simple and clear action movies without cinematic depth are flooding in, this is the birth of ‘well-made action cinema’ that catches two birds with one stone: drama and action.It is expected to create an unforgettable ripple effect in the hearts of viewers, as it does not make the mistake of missing the original’s deep story and delicate emotional line while being intoxicated by the ‘pleasure of violence’ that only action movies can provide, nor does it make the mistake of failing to satisfy the genre pleasure of action movies in order to save the drama.

‘Breakthrough’, which was released on the 30th of last month, is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by author Koo Byung-mo, and tells the story of ‘Jogak’, a 60-year-old female killer who was once called a ‘legend’ but is losing her ‘usefulness’.Under the teachings of her benefactor and teacher Ryu(Kim Moo-yeol), who took her in when she had nowhere to go as a child, Jogak grew into an excellent killer, and has lived for 40 years without making a single mistake, dealing with humans like cockroaches.Although he boasted such great skills that he was called ‘Godmother’, he could not avoid the flow of time and grew old and decrepit.When two young men appear in front of Jogak, who feels a sense of crisis as a killer, his daily life begins to crack.Kang Seon-saeng(Yeon Woo-jin), a kind veterinarian who even finds ‘usefulness in the old and sick’, and Tou(Kim Sung-chul), a young killer who threatens him by treating him like trash.

The most interesting part of this movie, which is overflowing with action, is the unique relationship between Ryu, Mr.Kang, the three bullfighters, and the sculpture that cannot be easily defined.This interesting and unique relationship alone is enough to warrant watching the movie ‘Breakthrough’.

Ryu, who raised Chogak and Chogak as killers, may seem like a father-daughter relationship, but at first glance, they seem like dangerous lovers who try not to cross the line.The same goes for their relationship with Mr.Kang.Chogak is not only grateful to Mr.Kang for saving his life.He feels a strange love for Mr.Kang, who helped him find his old self’s usefulness, and Ryu, who gave him the direction of his life as a child.

The character who forms the most unique relationship with sculpture is definitely the bull.From the beginning, the bull treats the sculpture as trash, and unlike the sculpture that is the ‘setting sun’, the bull seems like the ‘rising sun’, but somehow gives the impression of not being able to move forward, and arouses the curiosity of the audience.Although he seems to hate the sculpture, he cannot arbitrarily punish it, and although he spits venomous words at the sculpture, he continues to ask, ‘Do you really not know me?’ , longing for the sculpture’s attention.The bull’s appearance is sometimes like a child seeking his mother’s attention, and sometimes like an abandoned man who has let go of the woman he loves.

Kim Sung-chul’s outstanding acting, which builds up the mysterious look and expression with this unknown emotion of the bullfight, is the most dazzling strength of this film.After the ‘secret’ of the bullfight, which is full of deficiency, longing, and a twisted desire for recognition, is revealed, it is definitely thanks to Kim Sung-chul’s acting that the audience’s heart can be filled with deep sadness and regret.The acting is so good that the time the bullfight spent walking to meet the sculpture, which is not properly depicted in the film, passes by like a panorama in the audience’s head.

Lee Hye-young, who completed the ‘all-time female character’ called Chogak, needs no explanation.With the sharp eyes and majestic voice that are no less than those of someone in her 20s, she embodies the ‘legendary killer Chogak’ with her whole body, and she seamlessly adds the appearance of an aged ‘old woman’.From the destructive action scenes where she sees through the opponent’s empty team, she shows ‘100% character synchronization’ that seems to have come straight out of the original novel by writer Koo Byung-mo.


Reporter Seungmi smlee@donga.com

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.