Hostage: Missing Celebrity
{{short description|2021 South Korean thriller film}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Hostage: Missing Celebrity
| image = Hostage Missing Celebrity.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| native_name = {{Infobox Korean film name/auto
| hangul = ^인질
| hanja = 人質
}}
| director = Pil Kam-sung
| producer = Kang Hye-jung
| writer =
| screenplay = Pil Kam-sung
| based_on = {{Based on|Saving Mr. Wu|Ding Sheng}}
| starring = Hwang Jung-min
| music =
| cinematography = Choi Young-hwan
| editing = Kim Chang-ju
| studio = Secret Warrior
Filmmaker R&K
| distributor = Next Entertainment World
| released = {{Film date|2021|8|18}}
| runtime = 94 minutes
| country = South Korea
| language = Korean
| budget = {{KRW}}8 billion{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/076/0003742264 |author= Jo Ji-young |title= [SC초점] '발신제한'→'블랙 위도우'→'모가디슈'까지 여름 텐트폴 완성, 극장 떠난 관객 돌아올까 |trans-title= [SC Focus] Summer tent poles from 'Send Restriction' → 'Black Widow' → 'Mogadishu', will the audience return from the theater? |work=Sports Chosun |publisher=Naver |date= June 14, 2021 |access-date= June 16, 2021 |language=ko}}
| gross = {{USD|13.1 million}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/boxOffice_Yearly.jsp?mode=BOXOFFICE_YEAR&selectDt=2021&category=ALL&country=K|title=KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office of Korean films (2021)|access-date= December 12, 2021|work=KOFIC}}
}}
Hostage: Missing Celebrity ({{Korean/auto|hangul=^인질|rr=yes}}) is a 2021 South Korean action thriller film, written and directed by Pil Kam-sung in his directional debut. It is based on the 2015 Chinese film Saving Mr. Wu.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ksilbo.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=903181 |author= Hong Young-jin |script-title=ko:황정민의 목숨건 탈출…액션스릴러 '인질' 여름 극장가 달군다 |trans-title= Hwang Jung-min's life-threatening escape... Action thriller 'Hostage' heats up in summer theaters |work= Gyeongsang Ilbo |date= June 11, 2020 |access-date= June 16, 2021 |language=ko}} Starring Hwang Jung-min, the film follows the kidnapping of Korean top film star Hwang Jung-min, who initially believes it's a prank until he realizes the kidnappers are demanding a huge ransom within 24 hours. The film was scheduled for release in 2020 but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hancinema.net/hancinema-s-news-hostage-missing-celebrity-set-for-summer-release-152021.html |title= [HanCinema's News] "Hostage: Missing Celebrity" Set for Summer Release |author= William Schwartz |date= June 10, 2021 |access-date= June 16, 2021 |website= HanCinema}}
Hostage: Missing Celebrity was theatrically released on August 18, 2021.{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/076/0003754633 |script-title=ko:[공식] "여름 황정민 온다"…황정민 원맨쇼 '인질', 8월 18일 개봉 확정 |trans-title= [Official] "Summer Jungmin Hwang is coming" Hwang Jung-min's one-man show 'Hostage' to be released on August 18th |author= Jo Ji-young |work=Sports Chosun |publisher=Naver |date=July 14, 2021|access-date=July 14, 2021}}
Synopsis
After a film premiere, a famous actor is kidnapped in the middle of Seoul. Thinking it is a prank, the actor is relaxed, but when he faces cruelty, he realizes the gravity of the situation. He tries to find an escape route as kidnappers demand a huge ransom within 24 hours. Then the struggle begins, which is very different from what he has seen in films.
Cast
- Hwang Jung-min as himself, a Korean top film star who is taken hostage by five people{{Cite news|url=https://entertain.naver.com/movie/now/read?oid=076&aid=0003740649 |author= Jo Ji-young |script-title=ko:[공식] 황정민 주연 '인질'도 여름 개봉 확정..'모가디슈'와 2파전 예고| trans-title= [Official] 'Hostage' starring Hwang Jung-min is also confirmed for summer release.. 2nd match with 'Mogadishu' |publisher=Naver|work=Sports Chosun |date=June 10, 2021|access-date=June 10, 2021|language=ko}}
- Kim Jae-beom as Choi Ki-wan{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/311/0001333469 |script-title=ko:'인질' 김재범→이호정, 황정민을 인질로 잡은 겁 없는 인질범 5인방 |trans-title= 'Hostage' Kim Jae-beom → Lee Ho-jung, Hwang Jeong-min are five fearless hostage criminals |author=Kim Yoo-jin |work= Export News |publisher=Naver|date= August 11, 2021 |access-date= August 11, 2021 |language=ko}}
- Lee Yoo-mi as Ban So-yeon{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/108/0002981838 |script-title=ko:이유미 "1000대 1 뚫고 캐스팅 된 '인질', 박스오피스 1위 기분 좋아"[인터뷰①]|trans-title= Lee Yu-mi, "I feel good about 'Hostage', which was cast through 1000-to-1, and took first place at the box office" [Interview ①] |author= Kang Min-kyung |work=Star News |publisher=Naver |date= August 19, 2021 |access-date= August 19, 2021 |language=ko}}
- Ryu Kyung-soo as Yeom Dong-hun {{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/109/0004454192 |script-title=ko:[류경수→이호정, '인질' 황정민에 맞선 인질범 5인방 [Oh!쎈 예고] |trans-title= Ryu Kyung-soo → Lee Ho-jeong, 5 hostage criminals against Hwang Jung-min in 'Hostage' [Oh! Strong Notice] |author= Kim Bo-ra |work=OSEN |publisher=Naver|date= August 11, 2021 |access-date= August 11, 2021 |language=ko}}
- Jung Jae-won as Yong-Tae
- Lee Kyu-won as Go Young-rok
- Lee Ho-jung as Saet-byeol
- Baek Joo-hee as Detective Oh{{cite web|url=http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1111643184|script-title=ko:'인질' 한규원, 고군분투 스틸 공개…하반기 활약 '기대'|website=OSEN|date=July 18, 2022}}
- Park Sung-woong as 'Brother'
Production
The film is a remake of the 2015 Chinese film Saving Mr. Wu.{{Cite news |url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/640/0000014099 |title= A thriller coming to theaters |author= Shin Min-hee |work= Korea JoongAng |publisher=Naver |date= July 15, 2021|access-date= July 15, 2021}} It is a reality action film in which actor Hwang Jung-min is playing himself. In a press conference, Hwang Jung-min said, "I think it would be easy to play myself, but it is rather difficult to reveal myself." He further said, "I think the audience enjoyed the situation where Hwang Jung-min and Hwang Jung-min coexist in a movie more realistically."{{Cite news |url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/001/0012527176 |script-title=ko:"실제 황정민과 영화 속 황정민의 접점 맞추느라 고민" |trans-title= I was worried about the contact point between the real Hwang Jung-min and Hwang Jung-min in the movie |author= Han Mi-hee |work=Yonhap News Agency |publisher=Naver |date= July 15, 2021|access-date= July 15, 2021|language=ko}} The film was shot in idle area of the military base in Gandong-myeon, Hwacheon County, Donghae Police Station, and around Namsan-myeon and Sabuk-myeon in Chuncheon.{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/087/0000856517 |script-title=ko:강원도내서 촬영 영화 '싱크홀·인질' 주목 |trans-title= Focus on the movie 'Sinkhole Hostage' filmed in Gangwon-do |author= Lee Hyun-jung |work= Gangwon Ilbo |publisher=Naver |date= August 18, 2021 |access-date= August 18, 2021 |language=ko}}
Release
The film was released on August 18, 2021,{{Cite news |url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/609/0000480192 |script-title=ko:오늘(18일) 개봉 '인질' 황정민표 마라맛 맨손 탈주 스릴러 |trans-title= 'Hostage' released today (18th) Hwang Jung-Min-Pyo Maramat Bare-handed escape thriller|author= Bae Hyo-joo |work= Newsen |publisher=Naver |date= August 18, 2021|access-date= August 18, 2021|language=ko}} on 1289 screens.{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/films/index/filmsView.jsp?movieCd=20192194 |title=KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office 2021|access-date= August 29, 2021|work=KOFIC}}
The film was officially invited to the US Fantastic Fest, a genre film festival held from 23 to September 30, 2021, in Austin, Texas, United States.{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/108/0002987010 |script-title=ko:'인질', 美 판타스틱 페스트 공식 초청 |trans-title= 'Hostage' officially invited to the US Fantastic Fest
|author= Kim Mi-hwa |work=Star News |publisher=Naver |date= September 8, 2021 |access-date= September 8, 2021 |language=ko}}
Hostage: Missing Celebrity was invited to 41st Hawaii International Film Festival in 'Spotlight on Korea' (Korean film sector) section. The festival was held in Hawaii, US, from November 4 to November 28, 2021.{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/213/0001193736 |script-title=ko:"영리한 스릴러"…'인질', 하와이 국제 영화제 공식 초청 |trans-title= "A clever thriller"... 'Hostage' officially invited to Hawaii International Film Festival |author= Yoon-hee Lee |work= TV Report |publisher=Naver |date= August 31, 2021 |access-date= August 31, 2021 |language=ko}} It has also been invited at 16th Paris Korean Film Festival, which will be held from October 26 to November 2. It was showcased in 'Evenement' section of the festival program.{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/018/0005048464 |script-title=ko:황정민 '인질', 제16회 파리한국영화제 초청…잇단 해외 러브콜 [공식] |trans-title= Hwang Jung-min's 'Hostage' invited to the 16th Paris Korean Film Festival... Successive overseas love calls [Official] |author= Kim Bo-young |work=Edaily |publisher=Naver |date= September 30, 2021 |access-date= September 30, 2021 |language=ko}} In April 2022 it was invited at the 24th edition of Far East Film Festival at Udine held from April 22 to 30 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://windowsonworlds.com/2022/04/20/udine-far-east-film-festival-confirms-lineup-for-24th-edition/ |title= Udine Far East Film Festival Confirms Lineup for 24th Edition|date= 20 April 2022 |access-date= 7 June 2022 |website= Windows on Worlds |language=en}}
Reception
=Box office=
According to the Korea Film Council's integrated computer network data, the film ranked number 1 at the Korean box office by recording 97,097 audience on its opening day.{{Cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/312/0000495569 |script-title=ko:[공식] "여름엔 황정민"…'인질' 개봉일 1위·좌석판매율 1위 등극 |trans-title= [Official] "Hwang Jung-min in summer"... 'Hostage' ranked first in opening date and number one in seat sales |author= Kim Ji-won |date= August 19, 2021 |access-date= August 19, 2021 |work= Ten Asia |publisher=Naver |language=ko}} Maintaining its top position at Korean box office for the second{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/468/0000784845 |script-title=ko:'인질' 이틀 연속 박스오피스 1위…흥행 열기 주말까지 이어질까 |trans-title= 'Hostage' topped the box office for two days in a row... Will the box office fever last until the weekend? |author= Kim Seon-woo |work=Sports Seoul|publisher=Naver |date= August 20, 2021 |access-date= August 20, 2021 |language=ko}} third{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/421/0005554058 |script-title=ko:'인질', 3일째 1위 누적관객수 26만명↑…주말 흥행 이을까 [Nbox] |trans-title= 'Hostage' ranked first for the third day in cumulative audience of 260,000 ↑... Is it a weekend hit [Nbox]|author= Jung Yoo-jin |work= News 1|publisher=Naver |date= August 21, 2021 |access-date= August 21, 2021 |language=ko}} and fourth day,{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/421/0005554787 |script-title=ko:황정민 '인질' 4일째 1위…'싱크홀'·'모가디슈' 삼파전 [Nbox] |trans-title= Hwang Jung-min's 'Hostage' 1st for 4th day... 'Sinkhole'·'Mogadishu' three-way battle [Nbox] |author= Hyo-Jeong Yoon |work= News 1|publisher=Naver |date= August 22, 2021 |access-date= August 22, 2021 |language=ko}} it recorded 1 million cumulative audiences on 10h day of its release, thereby becoming the 3rd Korean film of 2021 to cross 1 million mark.{{Cite news |url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/312/0000497232 |script-title=ko:'인질' 100만 관객 돌파, 황정민 친필 감사 인사 |trans-title= 'Hostage' surpasses 1 million viewers, Hwang Jung-min's handwritten thanks |author= Shin So-won|work= Ten Asia |publisher=Naver |date= August 28, 2021 |access-date= August 28, 2021 |language=ko}}
{{As of|2021|12|22|df=us|}} it is at 3rd place among all the Korean films released in the year 2021, with gross of US$13.07 million and 1,638,437 admissions.
=Critical response=
Lee Yu-na reviewing the film for YTN praised the debutant director Phil Gam-seong for his apt handling of the film and Hwang Jung-min for his performance. Yu-na opened the review writing, "A film with a simple plot wins with Hwang Jung-min's unrivaled acting skills. In terms of completeness, it is a masterpiece that never lags behind among the tentpole films this summer." She opined that the film has 'heightened the reality' by portraying Hwang Jung-min's character as himself.{{Cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/052/0001623991 |title= [Y리뷰] '인질' 천상 배우 황정민, 마지막 시선에 숨이 멎는다 |trans-title= [Y Review] 'Hostage' heavenly actor Hwang Jung-min, stops breathing at the last glance |first= Yu-na |last=Lee|date= August 6, 2021|access-date= August 8, 2021 |work=YTN|publisher=Naver|language=ko}}
Kim Mi-hwa reviewing for Star News wrote that the film is from a new genre of 'reality action' setting where the main actor is acting himself. Praising the direction of Phil Gam-seong, she said, "Even though it is a feature film by a new director, it does not stop breathing and boasts a smooth flow." Praising the performance of Hwang Jung-min in reality action setting, Mi-hwa opined, "As Hwang Jung-min said, if you watch the movie, you will find yourself cheering for him." She concluded, "Just seeing the discovery of new actors is enough reason to watch Hostage: Missing Celebrity."{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/108/0002978622 |author= Kim Mi-hwa |script-title=ko:[리뷰] '인질' 군더더기 없는 황정민의 극한 탈출기 |trans-title= [Review] Hwang Jung-min's extreme escape from 'hostage' |work=Star News |publisher=Naver |date= August 6, 2021 |access-date= August 8, 2021 |language=ko}}
Kim Ji-won of Ten Asia opened the review writing, "The movie Hostage: Missing Celebrity took the reality of 'acting veteran Hwang Jung-min' as the setting of the movie. Realism and fiction are properly blended to bring out a high level of immersion." Ji-won praised the performance of new actors and opined that this ensemble as hostage-takers has added to the sublimity of the film. Analysing the depth of reality and fiction in the reality-action film, she wrote that narrative of the film was well ordered and Hwang Jung-min's acting kept the watchers engrossed in the film. She wrote, "It [the film] also has the virtues of an entertainment movie with unrefined realistic action scenes and quick control through appropriate screen transitions."{{Cite news |url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/312/0000493996 |title= [TEN 리뷰] '인질' 된 황정민, 진짜라 믿게되는 '200% 몰입도' |trans-title= [TEN Review] Hwang Jung-min who was 'hostage', '200% immersion' that you believe is real |author= Kim Ji-won |work= Ten Asia |publisher=Naver |date= August 9, 2021|access-date= August 9, 2021|language=ko}}
Park Jeong-seon of JTBC wrote that the reality-action of the film made it appealing and kept the audience engrossed. She gave credit of this to director Phil Gam-seong and opined, "The realistic direction of director also played a big part in this reality." She praised the performance of lead actor and the cast of new actors, as she wrote, "Although they are newcomers who are still unfamiliar with the screen, they each do their job well." Park opined that though the production cost of the film is just about 8 billion won, still "[..] the best possible content was created." Park concluded, "It is a wise film that is well suited to current theaters and audiences."{{Cite news |url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/437/0000273899 |script-title=ko:[리뷰] '인질', 황정민이 납치됐다고?…픽션과 다큐 사이 |trans-title= [Review] 'Hostage', Hwang Jung-min was kidnapped?… Between fiction and documentary |work=JTBC |publisher=Naver |date= August 17, 2021|access-date= August 17, 2021|language=ko}}
Awards and nominations
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{hancinema film|Hostage_2p__Missing_Celebrity}}
- {{kmdb film|22244}}
{{Next Entertainment World}}
Category:2021 action thriller films
Category:2021 crime thriller films
Category:South Korean action thriller films
Category:South Korean crime thriller films
Category:2020s Korean-language films
Category:Films postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Category:Films about kidnapping