I Saw the Devil

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Movie: I Saw the Devil
Revised romanization: Akmareul Boattda
Hangul: 악마를 보았다
Director: Kim Jee-Woon
Assistant Director: Seok Min-Woo
Writer: Park Hoon-Jung
Producer: Kim Hyung-Woo, Jo Sung-Won, Kim Jae-Young, Kim Jung-Hwa
Cinematographer: Lee Mo-Gae
Release Date: August 11, 2010
Runtime: 141 min.
Genre: Suspense-Thriller / Award Winning / Best Film-Movie of the Year
Distributor: Showbox
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

A woman named Joo-Yun (Oh San-Ha) is stranded in her broken down car on a snowy night. She talks to her fiance on her cellphone while she awaits for a tow truck. Her fiance is So-Hyun (Lee Byung-Hun), an agent for the National Intelligence Service.

Meanwhile, a yellow van stops in front of the woman's broken down car. A man named (Choi Min-Sik) gets out of the van and knocks on the woman's window. He offers to help her get the car started. The preoccupied fiance Soo-Hyun, still on the phone with Joo-Yun, advises her to stay in the car until the tow truck arrives and gets called away on business matters. Joo-Yun tells the creepy man that she will wait for the tow truck and raises her window shut. Moments later, the creepy man named Kyung-Chul smashes the passenger window open with a sledgehammer and beats Joo-Yun unconscious. Kyung-Chul takes Joo-Yun to his home and decapitates the woman.

A few days later, an ear is found in a plastic bag by children playing near a river. When the police arrive, they later find Joo-Yun's head in the river. At this moment So-Hyun arrives at the crime scene and witnesses his fiance's decapitated head.

At the funeral for Joo-Yun, Soo-Hyun apologizes to her for not being there to protect her and also promises to inflict pain 1,000x worse to the man responsible for her death.

When Soo-Hyun tracks down his fiance's killer he beats the man severely. The killer awakens the next day bloodied, but still alive. There is also an envelope with money left on his belly. Soo-Hyun's plan for vengeance is just beginning ...

Notes

Early working title for the film was "Subtropical" / Ayeoldae (아열대).
Filming began in February, 2010, shooting in the Mok-dong neighborhood of Seoul, South Korea.
Choi Min-Sik & director Kim Jee-Woon previously worked together in the 1998 black-comedy film "The Quiet Family," while Lee Byung-Hun & Kim Jee-Woon previously worked together in the 2008 action film "The Good, The Bad, The Weird."
On July 27th, 2010 the Korea Media Rating Board applied the most restrictive rating 19+, known in Korea as "제한상영가," to "I Saw the Devil" for violent content. The movie was re-edited and submitted for the 2nd time to the Korea Media Rating Board. On August 4th, 2010, the Korea Media Rating Board again applied the most restrictive 19+ rating (제한상영가)[1]. Because of this, the advance press screening was delayed from August 5th to August 11th. The movie was then re-edited and submitted for the third time to the Korea Media Rating Board. On August 11th, 2010 the Korea Media Rating Board applied the less restrictive "teenager restricted (18+)" rating. The most restrictive 19+ rating (제한상영가) would have severely limited the release of "I Saw the Devil" in Korea because no theatres currently exist to show such films.
The final submission to the Korea Media Rating Board contained a total 1:30 seconds cut from the first submitted version.[2]
The production company then edited a total of 7 more scenes in fear of inspiring copy cat crimes. Scenes including cannibalism was edited out in particular. The dinner scene with Choi Min-Sik and his serial killer friend originally had body parts on their dinner table, but was modified in the final release to have beef.

Cast



Lee Byung-Hun	Choi Min-Sik	Jeon Kuk-Hwan	Oh San-Ha
Soo-Hyun	Kyung-Chul	Det. Jang	Joo-Yeon



Kim Yoon-Seo	Cheon Ho-Jin	Choi Moo-Sung	Kim Si-Woon
Se-Yeon	Det. Oh	Tae-Joo	Se-Jung

Additional Cast Members:

Jo Duk-Je - Det. Kang
Kim Kap-Soo - NIS Officer
Lee Joon-Hyuk - NIS Agent
Ha Seung-Ri - harbor female high school student
Lee Sol-Gu - taxi robber
Son Young-Soon - Kyung-Chul's mother
Choi Jin-Ho - planning director
Park Ji-Yeon - teacher at private institute
Kim Young-Sun - nun 1
Han Chul-Woo - Detective Park
Um Tae-Goo - Detective 4
Nam Hyun-Joo - Det. Oh's wife
Yoon Byung-Hee - Jang-Goo
Kim Kang-Il - Park Han-Ki
Yoon Chae-Young - Han Song-Yi (nurse)
Seol Chang-Hee - police officer on stakeout
Park Seo-Yeon - woman in cabin
Lee Hye-Rin - schoolgirl 1
Jung Mi-Nam - taxi robber 2
Kim Jae-Gun - elderly doctor
Sin Sin-Beom - elderly pharmacist

Trailers

Image Gallery

Film Festivals

2010 (35th) Toronto International Film Festival - September 9-19, 2010 - Special Presentations *North American Premiere
2010 (58th) San Sebastian International Film Festival - September 17-25, 2010 - Official Selection
2010 (15th) Pusan International Film Festival - October 7-15, 2010 - Midnight Passion
2010 (43rd) Sitges Film Festival - October 7-14, 2010 - Official Fantàstic Panorama Specials
2010 (21st) Stockholm International Film Festival - October 21-28, 2010 - Asian Images *Nordic Premiere
2010 (24th) AFI FEST - October 28-November 5, 2010
2010 (5th) The London Korean Film Festival - November 5-23, 2010
2010 (25th) Mar del Plata Film Festival - November 13-21, 2010 - Panorama - Midnight Screamings
2011 (31st) Fantasporto International Film Festival - February 21-March 6, 2011 - Cinema Fantástico (Competition)
2011 (21st) Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival - February 24-28, 2011 - Official Selection
2011 (13th) Deauville Asian Film Festival - March 9 - 13, 2011 - Panorama
2011 (35th) Hong Kong International Film Festival - March 20 - April 5, 2011 - Midnight Heat
2011 (29th) Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival - April 7-19, 2011 - International Competition
2011 (27th) Imagine: Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival - April 13-23, 2011

Awards

2010 (47th) Daejong Film Awards - October 29, 2010
- Best Lighting
2010 (31st) Blue Dragon Film Awards - November 26, 2010
- Best Lighting
2010 (31st) Blue Dragon Film Awards - November 26, 2010
- Best Music
2010 (13th) Director's Cut Awards - December 17, 2010
- Best Actor (Choi Min-Sik)
2011 (31st) Fantasporto International Film Festival - February 21-March 6, 2011
- Best Direction (Kim Jee-Woon)
- Best Film Orient Express Award
2011 (5th) Asian Film Awards - March 21, 2011
- Best Editing
2011 (29th) Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival - April 7-19, 2011
- The Golden Raven (Grand Prize)
2011 (47th) BaekSang Arts Awards - May 26, 2011
- Daesang Grand Award (Lee Byung-Hun)

Comments

KDramaLover Feb 17 2023 11:25 am Clearly, one of my favourite Korean movies, by far. A masterpiece, but not for the faint of heart indeed.

KST Dec 03 2022 10:57 am I just watched this movie today. The acting was really great but this movie has many scenes which uncomfortable to view anyhow this movie was so real in actions.

plantsrgud Apr 30 2020 6:09 am at first i thought the movie will be like those typical “chasing the serial killer” movies. But nooooo, I was shocked at first because there are a lottttt of uncensored scenes. The movie is definitely not for someone fainthearted or even someone who can’t stand gory scenes bc there’s definitely a lot of them lol.

jack Jun 13 2015 12:35 pm 'you think you're evil enough?' hha that something i've learned at this movie, i love this at the end, except when he grab the capsule at his shit eewww

Yogesh Odyssey Opera Jul 30 2012 10:32 am One word to say ......SHIT........ it wasted my time..... <<<>>>

Gasenadi Apr 12 2012 2:06 pm Lord. Have. Mercy! I've NEVER seen anything like this. Revenge as boomerang, in more ways than one. This had me trembling all the way through, squirming in my seat, pausing to catch my breath, peeking through my fingers, weeping at the end. You name it. SUPERB in every category: acting, directing, writing, lighting. Suggestion for the faint of heart who still want to try it: watch it during the daylight hours, not at night....

Bernard Oct 18 2011 12:49 am Best movie EVER!!!

eddie zee Sep 27 2011 12:45 pm The jacket link you have put up is close to the jacket that he wears but its not it. Does anyone know the exact jacket he wore in this movie? the brown one specifically. Thanks

JACKET!!! Aug 25 2011 10:10 pm This is the man's jacket, it's in black though. Pretty expensive

http://www.laredoute.co.uk/schott-padded-leather-jacket.htm?ProductId=324222875&t=6#

Ki May 26 2011 8:17 am @ Ge The house was broken into by the crazy couple. I don't recall that part exactly for second part of your question but I am going to guess the guy was talking about himself ... i.e. you saw me (i broke into your house) and ....

Ge Feb 01 2011 1:25 pm I have a question, the house of the "devil" 's friend lived, Is that his house or someone house they took by force? Also the "devil's" friend drags this lady and said you said you saw someone for short time. Who is this person he mentions?

Neguin Jan 13 2011 7:58 pm knows anyone were i can get the jacket or the name of the designer?

thx

falcon Dec 22 2010 3:11 am Lee Byung-hun provided a powerful and heartbreaking performance while Choi Min sik would make even anthony hopkins envious, this is probably the most intense film i've ever seen, highly recommended for those seeking a raw and emotional thriller and certainly not those for the faint of heart

Richard Lim Jr Nov 29 2010 1:07 am To Ki

RE: P.S. (perhaps minor spoiler here) - The flaw in logic is ... Why didn't he call his sister-in-law?

My take would be that he knew that the psychopath targets women and if he called his sister-in-law, he will be putting her in harm way if she rush to her dad's place. If she would to choose to call the police instead, wouldn't it be faster for him to call the police dept instead.

I don't think the Sister-in-Law lived with the Father. In the beginning, she was doing grocery for her dad. Usually family members who stay in the same household wouldn't mention it in such manner.

Just my 2 cents worth.

I Saw the Devil is another great rep for the hard hitting Korean film that does not shy away from the evil nature of man. Engaging Performance by Lee Byung Hun and Choi Min Sik. Highly Recommended.

Ki Aug 12 2010 3:52 am @moo the rape scene isn't like Straw Dogs per se, because the "victim" was actually the girlfriend/wife of another serial killer and likely a killer herself - minor difference perhaps but it didn't feel the same way as the scene in Straw Dogs did. Yet the scene in "I Saw the Devil" was still highly disturbing in of itself, especially considering the context of a serial killer movie and how those type types of fantasies may provoke such persons to take those actions. With that said ...

"I Saw The Devil" is a highly charged, tense film that left me exhausted by the end of the screening . I guess for people who have yet to see the film they may wonder how it compares to "The Chaser" one of the best films of the genre in recent years. Well ... it doesn't really compare because "The Chaser" is about chasing down a killer & "I Saw The Devil" is about inflicting pain/revenge on a killer. If looked in this way, the movie was more comparable to "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance" - the quintessential revenge flick for myself.

Script wise, I feel "I Saw the Devil" is a few notches below "The Chaser" or "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance" in complexity or creativity, but that's not to say the screenplay sucked. Storyline was fluid, swift, and did have me guessing throughout most of the movie. I guess I just felt it was less elegant than the two prior mentioned films & a little bit less fresh.

Action/Violence wise the film is juiced up like Mark McGwire circa 1998 - meaning its on a whole other level than those prior mentioned films. Is that a good or bad thing? Guess that's a personal thing. Having watched the film and grimaced & squirmed throughout it pretty much filled up my tolerance level for that. Any more and it would have felt gratuitous. So I'm actually grateful the film had to go through three different re-edits to get it to screen in Korea.

Performances by Lee Byung-Hun and Choi Min-Sik were as expected ace. Choi Min-Sik's performance in particular will likely be etched in people's mind. He could have played his character even more over the top which could have come across as hammy, but instead he came across as the pure incarnation of evil. Make no doubt about it, that dude is as scary as any boogie man you'll find in any horror movie.

If someone asks me if they should watch "I Saw the Devil" I would answer "definitely - as long as you can tolerate the gruesome violence". I have yet to watch a Kim Ji-Woon film that left me disappointed and "I Saw the Devil" certainly doesn't disappoint - just as long as you can stomach all that gore & violence. The production company did state that the film hoped to place the viewer within the viewpoint of the victims so they could experience the need for vengeance like Lee Byung-Hun's character did.

P.S. (perhaps minor spoiler here) - I did notice a lapse in the logic of the film pertaining to a scene in the latter part of the film where Byung Hun-Lee turns his car around and makes a phone call, but the other person doesn't answer the call and then he calls the police department to go to that person's house. The flaw in logic is ... Why didn't he call his sister-in-law? ("duh").

moo Aug 12 2010 1:24 am The "rape victim ends up enjoying the act" sounds right out of Straw Dogs;) Not sure if "Devil" really flirts with snuff film territory, but Amenábar's debut Thesis is a very thoughtful and original take on that tabooed "genre" going mainstream (on other side of Martyrs of course.) And of course not holding breath for the day a "banality of evil" like Spoorloos ever comes out of Korea...it's all in good fun, eh?

Dutch Tilt Feb 02 2010 1:26 am Lee Byung-hyun and Kim Ji-Woon tandem, yeah!

Fertry Jan 18 2010 12:42 pm woa.... ô.O Lee Byung Hun and Choi Min sik in one movie.....I can´t believe it. This one is going to be AWESOME.

References

'악마를 보았다', 제한상영등급 여파로 시사회 연, 'Chosun.com, August 4, 2010.
김지운 감독 "겨자 덜 묻힌 초밥 먹는 느낌", "Cine21," August 11, 2010.

I Saw the Devil

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Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

Notes

Cast

Trailers

Image Gallery

Film Festivals

Awards

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