Korean film ‘Target’ is a cautionary crime thriller

CEBU, Philippines —  Based on actual police cases, the upcoming Korean thriller “Target” is a cautionary thriller from real life experiences of buyers who fell prey to scams of organized online crimes and the terrifying possibilities of the encounter.

Focusing on the current social phenomenon of second-hand deals fraud, director Park Hee-kon wanted to tell a story where the reality is the movie. To achieve its realistic impression on the audience, the director met with various police officers and detectives to learn about the process of arresting criminals and the difficulties they faced in the process.

“Target” features Shin Hae-sun in the lead role along with Kim Sung-kyun and Kang Tae-oh, Korea’s most talented stars who have gained global following and acclaim with their works in highly-engaging and popular dramas.

Shin Hae-sun stars as the movie’s lead who has proven her versatility in various genres such as “Collectors”, “Mr. Queen” and “Still 17”. Hae-sun as Soo-hyun in the movie is the protagonist who becomes the target after purchasing a defective second-hand washing machine. Shin immerses the audience by expressing Soo-hyun’s emotions as she goes from an ordinary office worker to the target of a killer whose life falls apart as she is anonymously threatened.

From the anger of being scammed in a used item purchase, to the fear that someone is watching her every move, and the despair of not being able to escape the criminal’s watch, Shin delicately expresses the various emotions with a three-dimensional, compelling performance. Portraying not just a victim who is unconditionally targeted, but a woman who takes action to find the culprit, Shin leads the audience with her intense performance.

“When something like this happens, there must be people who want to solve the problem in the same way. I could really identify with the main character who struggles to deal with it. And the atmosphere created by the art and props set up in Soo-hyun’s house, helped me get into my role,” shares Hae-sun.

Fresh from the success of “Moving”, actor Kim Sung-kyun (also known for his role in the iconic “Reply 1988”) takes on the role of veteran detective Joo in “Target” as part of the cybercrime unit who is tasked to investigate on the case. While routinely dealing with hundreds of online crimes daily, he is assigned to investigate Soo-hyun’s case but soon finds himself in unsettling situations while solving the crime.

“It was very refreshing to read a piece that portrayed reality in an era where we have become numb to exchanging personal information,” says Sung-kyun of his latest movie.

Kang Tae-oh, who gained attention for his role in the drama “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” takes on the role of junior detective Na who doesn’t miss a trace. Na is a rookie who is overwhelmed by the hundreds of cases he deals with every day but still approaches each case with enthusiasm.

“The movie felt so realistic because it was based on used goods deals that are easily available to everyone. While reading the scenario, I could relate to it and became worried,” Tae-oh says, expressing high empathy and satisfaction with the film’s realistic setting.

Set within the contemporary world of e-commerce, a woman’s life falls apart after buying a used item online. The film takes action when a woman buys a defective washing machine and leaves angry comments on the shop’s website. Soon enough, strange things start to happen to her and becomes the sole target of a relentless psycho killer.

Soo-hyun (Hae-Sun) buys a used washing machine online after moving into her new place. When she receives a broken machine, she realizes she’s been scammed and decides to make sure the seller doesn’t get away with it. Eventually, Soo-hyun succeeds in finding the seller’s online account, then leaves warnings that he is a fraudster under all his posts to stop him from selling.

From then on, terrifying things start to happen to Soo-hyun. She led an ordinary life with an ordinary job, but everything in her daily life begins to fall apart, and an investigation is set in motion to find the seller. With the help of detectives Joo (Sung-kyun) and Na (Tae-oh), Soo-hyun sets off to stop the psycho seller who has invaded her life.

“The audience will be captivated by the main character, whose life is destroyed by a second-hand transaction, and the intense suspense and thrills of the chase until her suffocating confrontation with a mysterious, unidentifiable killer,” shares director Park.

“Target”, set to open on October 18 in Philippine cinemas, is from Encore Films to be distributed by Warner Bros.