The Front Line (Korean Movie)

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Movie: The Front Line
Revised romanization: Gojijeon
Hangul: 고지전
Director: Jang Hun
Assistant Director: Park Hong-Soo
Writer: Park Sang-Yeon
Producer: Lee Woo-Jung, Jung Won-Chan
Cinematographer: Kim Woo-Hyung
Release Date: July 20, 2011
Runtime: 133 min.
Genre: Action / War / Period-1950 / Best Film-Movie of the Year
Distributor: Showbox
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

Towards the end of the Korean War an uneasy ceasefire is ordered, but out on the Eastern front line of the Aerok Hills fierce fighting continues. A race to capture a strategic point to determine a new border between the two Koreas is the ultimate prize.

A bullet is then found in the body of dead company commander of the South Korean army. The bullet that killed the company commander belongs to the South Korean army. Lieutenant of the Defense Security Command Kang Eun-Pyo (Shin Ha-Kyun) is ordered to go out into the Eastern front line and investigate the murder. When Kang Eun-Pyo arrives in the Aerok Hills he is surprised to find his old friend Kim Soo-Hyuk (Ko Soo) commanding troops in the Aerok Hills. Kang Eun-Pyo believed Kim Soo-Hyuk was dead.

In their younger years, Kim Soo-Hyuk was a meek student, but he eventually became the leader of Aerok company as a lieutenant. The situation in the Aerok company raises many flags in the eyes of Kang Eun-Pyo. Soldiers wear North Korean uniforms inside due to the cold weather, a 20-year-old leads troops as a captain and the reappearance of his old friend Kim Soo-Hyuk. The countdown to the ceasefire begins as the lives of countless soldiers fall to the wayside ...

Cast



Ko Soo	Shin Ha-Kyun	Kim Ok-Vin	Ryoo Seung-Ryong
Kim Soo-Hyuk	Kang Eun-Pyo	Cha Tae-Kyung	Hyun Jung-Yoon



Lee Je-Hoon	Ko Chang-Seok	Ryu Seung-Soo	David Lee
Shin Il-Young	Yang Hyo-Sam	Oh Ki-Young	Nam Sung-Sik

Additional Cast Members:

Jung In-Gi - Lee Sang-Eok
Park Young-Seo - Hwang Sun-Chil
Choe Min - North Korean Military Officer
Kim Kang-Il - North Korean battalion commander
Kim Tae-Yoon - South Korean P.O.W.
Ji Young-San - South Korean P.O.W.
Hong Seo-Baek - liaison soldier
Jang In-Ho - 2p fire soldier
Ha Soo-Ho - platoon leader
Han Seung-Do - Pohang company commander
Gyul Hwi - squad commander
Seo Joon-Yeol - cigarette soldier
Seo Hyun-Woo - North Korean solider in Chuncheon
Kim Kyoung-Il - crocodile soldier
Song Ha-Rim - soldier urinating

Trailers

Image Gallery

Film Festivals

2011 (30th) Vancouver International Film Festival - September 29-October 14, 2011 - Dragons and Tigers *International Premiere
2011 (16th) Busan International Film Festival - October 6-14, 2011 - Korean Cinema Today: Panorama
2011 (31st) Hawaii International Film Festival - October 13-23, 2011 - Opening Night Film
2011 (6th) The London Korean Film Festival - November 4-10, 2011 - Contemporary Korean Cinema
2012 (14th) Udine Far East Film - April 20-April 28, 2012 *Italian Premiere
2012 (3rd) Korean Film Festival in Australia - August 22-September 30, 2012 - Panorama

Awards

2011 (48th) Daejong Film Awards - October 17, 2011
- Best Film
- Best Cinematography
- Best Lighting
- Best Production
Critics' Choice Awards - October 30, 2011
- Best Film
- Best Director
- Best Screenplay
- Best New Actor (Lee Je-Hoon)
2011 (32nd) Blue Dragon Film Awards - November 25, 2011
- Best Cinematography
- Best Art Design

Q&A (Busan International Film Festival)

Press conference for "The Front Line" took place at the 2011 Busan International Film Festival on October 8, 2011. Appearing as speakers are actors Ryu Seung-Soo, Ko Soo (pictured), Lee Je-Hoon (pictured), Ko Chang-Seok (pictured), Lee Da-Wit (pictured) and director Jang Hun. AsianWiki editor Ki Mun was there and transcribed/translated the session.

Moderator - Hello, could the director introduce himself first?

Jang Hun (director) - Hello, nice to meet you at the Busan International Film Festival. (talks to cast) Let's say hello to audience. All attention ... bow. I am Jang Hun, the diector of "The Front Line." Thank you for the welcome and I will now pass the mic to the actors. Here is Lee Da-Wit who played Nam Sung-Sik. He is the darling of "The Front Line."

Lee Da-Wit (actor) - Hello, I'm Lee Da-Wit who played Private Nam Sung-Sik. Thank you for coming and watching the movie. Did you enjoy the movie?

Audience replies yes.

Lee Da-Wit (actor) - Thank you. I am so happy to come to the Busan International Film Festival. Hope you enjoy.

Ko Chang-Seok (actor) - Hi, I am Ko Chang-Seok. Compared to the size of the other actor's faces, I look like I am standing 2 steps ahead of them, but I'm actually standing behind them. Thank you for watching the "The Front Line."

Lee Je-Hoon (actor) - Hi, I am Lee Je-Hoon who played Captain Shin Il-Young. Thank you for watching the movie and I am so happy to see you in Busan. I hope you have a good time today. Thank you.

Ko Soo (actor) - Hello, I am Ko Soo who played Kim Soo-Hyuk in "The Front Line." Nice to meet you. This is my first time coming to the Busan International Film Festival. It is way better than I expected. I didn't expect so many people here. There's also a lot of cameras here. Please take good pictures of me. You have all watched the movie. After the movie was released, I went to the theaters to say hello for a good while. It's been a whlie since saying hi to you. Thank you.

Ryu Seung-Soo (actor) - Hello, I am Ryu Seung-Soo who played Oh Ki-Young in "The Front Line." There is a whole lot of people here taking pictures. I feel like we are greeting the audience when the movie was first released. The Busan International Film Festival is special and Lee Da-Wit said to enjoy. So I will show you something for your enjoyment. Lee Da-Wit come forward (Ryu Seung-Soo walks forward and Lee Da-Wit comes forward as well). Let's hear "The Front Line Serenade" (전선야곡). The song you sang in the movie.

Lee Da-Wit (actor) - I haven't sang a song for a while and I can't sing good, but I will go ahead and sing the song for you (Lee Da-Wit sings the song and the audience enthusiastically applauses).

Ryu Seung-Soo (actor) - Ok, now sing a pop song.

Lee Da-Wit (actor) - (pauses) I'll sing SECRET's "Secret Moonlight" (he sings the pop song).

Ryu Seung-Soo (actor) - Thank you Lee Da-Wit.

Audience Question - Hello, I am a Busan resident who watched "The Front Line" seven times so far. Welcome to Busan. A common mistake made by a lot of war movies is that they get over emotional before the audience does. "The Front Line" doesn't make that mistake. One of the reasons why I like the movie so much is because of this. When I read the end credits I noticed the music director is Jang Young-Gyu. I know he is in charge of the music, but did you give any directions to him as the movie director? I also want to know why you chose the song "The Front Line Serenade" which appears throughout the movie?

Jang Hun (director) - "The Front Line Serenade" was already in the scenario when I was asked to direct the movie. I then talked it over with our screen writer Park Sang-Yeon and we concluded that "The Front Line Serenade" did fit the movie the most among historical songs. Sometimes music can make the movie emotional, but since we filmed a war that was still ongoing we worried if the song would make the movie feel too commercial. I talked with the staff and we set a tone to balance it out. We didn't use moving cameras to follow the characters or the grenades.

Audience Question - Question is for director Jang Hun. I liked your previous films, but I loved "The Front Line." There's mostly favorable comments about the movie's anti-war message. I don't know whether you know it or not, but there's a fan made video called "The Adult version of Aerok Hills." Ko Soo and Shin Ha-Kyun are in love with each other and then Lee Je-Hoon becomes involved in the relationship. The story ends with their downfall. The fan made video is comprised of still images from the movie. This could happen. In your movies, the charms of the male actors are amplified. I'm curious how you communicated with the male actors, who all seem to have different personalities, and give them direction on the shooting set? Also, I hope Lee Je-Hoon wins all the best new actor prizes at the film awards. I think your going to join the army next year? I really want to take your place in the army instead of you (person speaking is a female). I love you totally!

Jang Hun (director) - I didn't know about this adult version of Aerok Hills. So far I've made 3 films and they are all centered around male characters. I guess it's because of a comfort level and being familiar with that view point. When working with the actors they are all different and must be prodded in different ways. It really depends on the actor.

Audience Question - Who gave you the hardest time?

Jang Hun (director) - Ryu Seung-Soo, because he had so many ideas. On the shooting set, he gave so many suggestions. There's one scene where his character grabs human feces and that was his idea.

Audience Question - This question is for Ko Soo. I think your character Kim Soo-Hyuk is quite complicated. I think the director created the character and you had to interpret the character. Were there any differences in opinions about him and did you have to make any compromises? Also, which scene was the most difficult to perform?

Ko Soo (actor) - Thank you. When I read the original script I though Kim Soo-Hyuk had a lot of charisma. Very manly (audience laughs). I drank a lot of alcohol yesterday. I think if I stay in Busan longer I will become trashed. Yes, I thought Kim Soo-Hyuk had a macho persona, but as I talked more with director Jang Hun I realized my character wasn't so macho. Kim Soo-Hyuk took care of his unit. Early in the filming, director Jang Hun talked with me a lot about my character, but a month later he didn't say much to at all about him. I think we built a level of trust by then.

Audience Question - To Ko Chang-Seok, in the beginning portions of the film, before the battle scenes, you gave something to Ryu Seung-Soo and Lee Da-Wit to eat. Do you remember what it was?

Ko Chang-Seok (actor) - Yes, that is a kudzu root. The scene is before the battle scene. Kudzo root isn't for eating. I gave them the kudzu root to chew on and clog their ears with. After several takes the kudzu root became really short.

Audience Question - I have some questions for Ko Soo. Me and my group stayed overnight in Centum City to come see you. I'm curious what grade you would give yourself for your performance? Also, were there any scenes you had difficulties with and if so which ones? Also, have you recorded the commentary for your character yet? Lastly, what's next on your schedule and when are you going back to Seoul?

Ko Soo (actor) - Thank you. During the filming, the thing I thought about the most was having a close bond with the actors. We filmed the movie in rural areas for several months and I tried to do everything with the other actors. Then, in front of the camera, hopefully our camaraderie felt genuine? About grading myself. I'm content with my performance and I recommend the film to others that haven't watched it. We have not done the DVD commentary yet. When we do, I'll speak more and faster than now. About our schedule after this. We will have dinner together.

Audience Question - Where are you going to have dinner at?

Ko Soo (actor) - I don't know where. There wasn't such a scene in the movie. I don't understand (smiles).

Audience Question - Question for director Jang Hun. In the movie good and evil is mixed, like it's beyond good and evil. Also, in the movie Saint Wonhyo's skull water is mentioned several times. Why was that? There's still a historical wound in Korea, how did you decide to approach that? Last question is for Lee Je-Hoon. After the movie have you experienced changes?

Jang Hun (director) - The story of Saint Wonhyo was put in the movie because of Ryu Seung-Soo's character. When we filmed "The Front Line," I didn't think about good and evil. I consider South Korea and North Korea to be the same and wanted to shoot the war as it is. I think war itself is evil and not the people fighting the war. The soldiers have no choice but to fight and fight for their survival. I wanted to show that in "The Front Line." Our country is still recovering from that period. The older generation went through a lot more pain, more than we can imagine. I think our generation has to find a way for peace. We have a lot of things to think about and sort out.

Lee Je-Hoon (actor) - While shooting the movie, I was nervous and felt a lot of pressure. There were moments where I kind of shut myself away from the others. I was isolated, but the other actors helped me out a great deal. During the filming, I realized I could get energy and help by working together with the other actors. In the future, If I can talk and communicate more I will do so. The movie made me realize the benefits of that.

Comments

Monette Sep 02 2022 5:02 am I have been searching for this movie and finally got to watch it!

As i always say, when it's Lee Je hoon, it's worth to watch!

Story and cinematography... Superb! Just a bit sad since only one have succeed to stay alive of tne main characters.

Shin Ha Kyun, Ryoo Seung Ryong, Ko chang Seuk, and many many oppaneun with lee je hoon!

Then i am watching later Bleak Light which is also lee je hoon movie and released on the same year!

bibi Aug 22 2021 1:49 am Great movie!! This is such an eye-opening war movie. 'War itself is the evil' said the director in qna session, and he brought us to see one of the reason behind those words. The upperhand keep giving orders, them who fight in the frontline did everything. They don't even know what are they fighting for anymore, it's heartbreaking.

nisaanc Feb 04 2020 9:39 am I already watch this movie. Amazing movie and i can feel the emotion of the soldiers when they were in the war. They kill people or they will be killed.

Amberle Jan 21 2018 6:19 am This movie is awesome. The depictions of the characters in all their fears and flaws really moved me. These are not brave soldiers out for glory, they are brave because they want to stay alive, to go home. The war affects both side.

It is really sad to watch scenes of both parties, playing pranks on each other, asked for favours after battles, and then next day in another battle, killed each other.

That last battle scene when the North army sang that song about wanting to go home, of which the lyrics were given to them by that young South soldier was really haunting. When both side cried because they know they are not likely to go home, I cried with them.

This movie is awesome for showing the humanity that they fought so hard to maintain.

Syntia Nov 11 2016 4:59 am Just finished watching the movie. This is definitely one of the best korean war movies. great storyline! Thanks for making this movie.

Aj Oct 12 2014 8:13 am Simply brilliant and deeply moving. The film won many top awards and should have won the Academy Award for best foreign film. The Koreans are the best in world cinema today, and they will capture the AA when Hollywood finally catches up with the audiences who already know how good they are.

ceylan koksal Feb 07 2014 12:20 am Thanks for the fantastic film. You people now how to make movies. From Belgium, Antwerpen. An Turkish man

Pawel Jan 25 2014 11:25 pm I was very suprised in good way. Movie is just good done, great story, very universal.

Nicole Apr 13 2013 8:02 pm This movie made me cry. not the like, "oh-im-going-to-cry" crying but like, ohmygodsendhelpim sobbing" crying. It was intense and the director did an amazing job portraying the characters. I love how he depicted war as the enemy, not north or south Koreans. He simply just shows that war itself is bad. Also, how he gets you to really like the characters and how they were so well developed- It added to the emotion during the movie. I was beyond impressed with this and I will be watching more movies from this director and from the other actors because that's how much I loved this movie.

Pelle Jan 09 2013 9:51 am I saw the movie (i'm 13) and it made me almost cry. It let me realize even more that soldiers are the bravest men in the world. I want a link to the song that North and South Korea singed just before the final battle. This makes me braver and gives me the strenght to make it trough live. War is pointless, and it only ends when both sides realize that its useless and only people die and have it hard to survive because of it

Richard Brazeau Jun 24 2012 6:50 am I'm canadian I lost my father this year he was 85. My father spend 15 month in Korea as a foot slodier. He never talked about the war,Well in is dream he was fitghting every night,I could not sleep with him wen I was young to dangerous,He was a happy Man ( to be Alive ) He just talk about how the Korean people were so brave and so strong. I saw all the war movie ,but Frontline is the best War Movie ever.The Brother hood of war was good. but Frontline is so strait to the Heart. The Persons that are negotiating the reunification of Koryo should wtach that movie. There should be only one Korea. Sabum Brazeau

iimman Nov 06 2011 8:04 am 5 stars for this movie!! Strong characters and great storyline, like it!

brahim Jul 29 2011 6:09 am wawwww i like this movie

Ki Jul 28 2011 2:51 am Enjoyed THE FRONT LINE - movie gives an up & close portrayal of the horrors experienced by grunt soldiers during the Korean War. Ko Soo gave a strong charismatic performance & Kim Ok-Bin is already my pick for best supporting actress in 2011. Storyline attempts to dig deeper than just the depiction of war scenes. I think in this regard it was successful. I understand Park Sang-Yeon wrote the screenplay & he also wrote the original novel which Park Chan-Wook's JSA is based on. A little similarities exist with soldiers from both sides in THE FRONT LINE leaving packages for each side whenever the all important AERO-K spot on a mountain was taken over by the other side. Movie also sends out a clear message about the senseless killing of Koreans by Koreans and how both sides are both ultimately both part of the human race (nod again to JSA). Small complaints goes to a few too many extended sappy death scenes & the deranged character played by Jeong In-Gi I thought should have been edited out of the film entirely. With that said, the movie will appeal to large audience. Even though Kim OK-Bin had very little actual screen time in the movie she really stole the film in my eyes. When its all said and done, the impressive battle scenes to take Aero-K will stay in your memory long after end credits finish. Worth checking out.

The Front Line (Korean Movie)

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Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

Cast

Trailers

Image Gallery

Film Festivals

Awards

Q&A (Busan International Film Festival)

Comments

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