Kingmaker (film)
{{short description|2022 South Korean political drama film}}
{{for|the 2019 film|The Kingmaker (film)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Kingmaker
| image = Kingmaker film.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| native_name = {{Infobox Korean film name
| hangul = 킹메이커
| hanja =
| rr = Kingmeikeo
| lk = }}
| director = Byun Sung-hyun
| producer = {{ubl|Lee Jin-hee |Park Jun-ho}}
| writer = {{ubl|Byun Sung-Hyun|Kim Min-soo}}
| screenplay =
| based_on =
| starring = {{ubl|Sul Kyung-gu|Lee Sun-kyun}}
| music = {{ubl|Kim Hong-jip|Lee Jin-hee}}
| cinematography = Jo Hyung-rae
| editing = Kim Sang-bum
| studio = Seed Film
| distributor = Megabox Plus M
| released = {{Film date|2022|1|26|}}
| runtime = 123 minutes
| country = South Korea
| language = Korean
| budget = {{USD|12.8 million}}
| gross = {{USD|6}} million{{cite Box Office Mojo|title=Kingmaker|id=17491616|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813211659/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt17491616/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|archive-date=13 August 2022|access-date=13 August 2022}}
}}
Kingmaker ({{korean|킹메이커||Kingmeikeo}}) is a 2022 South Korean political drama film, written and directed by Byun Sung-hyun. Set against the backdrop of the 1970 presidential primary of the New Democratic Party, the film is based on real events involving Kim Dae-jung and his key strategist, {{ill|Uhm Chang-rok|ko|엄창록}}.
Kingmaker was scheduled to be theatrically released on December 29, 2021, but due to the COVID-19 resurgence, it was released on January 26, 2022 to coincide with the Korean New Year holidays. It was also officially invited in the competition section at the 24th Udine Far East Film Festival held from April 22 to 30, 2022.
Plot
A seasoned politician, Kim Woon-beom, who has faced four election defeats, takes on a new challenge to change the world. One day, Seo Chang-dae, a brilliant election strategist, approaches him, eager to join forces. Despite being at a disadvantage, Seo Chang-dae devises an unconventional and groundbreaking campaign strategy. As a result, Kim Woon-beom achieves a series of victories, eventually rising to become his party's presidential candidate.
With the presidential election approaching, they go all-in to secure the ultimate win. However, their journey takes a dramatic turn when an explosion occurs at Kim Woon-beom's residence. As suspicion falls on Seo Chang-dae, their once-unshakable partnership is thrown into uncertainty, leading to a high-stakes political showdown.
Cast
{{cast listing|
- Sul Kyung-gu as Kim Woon-beom, based on Kim Dae-jung{{cite web|url= https://entertain.naver.com/movie/now/read?oid=438&aid=0000040743 |author=Park Jae-hwan|title="사람을 믿지 말고 욕심을 믿으세요!" 설경구 대선도전 '킹메이커|trans-title="Don't trust people, trust your greed!" Seol Kyung-gu's presidential election 'Kingmaker'|work=KBS Media |publisher=Naver |date=November 16, 2021|access-date= November 27, 2021|language=ko}}
- Lee Sun-kyun as Seo Chang-dae, based on Uhm Chang-rok
- Yoo Jae-myung as Kim Young-ho, based on Kim Young-sam{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/108/0003006703 |title='킹메이커' 설경구 "유재명 출연..천군만마 얻은 기분"|trans-title='Kingmaker' Seol Kyung-gu, "Yoo Jae-myung's appearance.. I feel like I've gained thousands"|date=November 22, 2021|author=Jeong Hwa |work=Star News|publisher=Naver|access-date=November 27, 2021}}
- Jo Woo-jin as Director Lee, based on Lee Hu-rak
- Park In-hwan as Kang In-san, based on Yu Chin-san
- Kim Sung-oh as Secretary Park
- Jeon Bae-soo as Lee's assistant
- Seo Eun-soo as Soo-yeon{{Cite web|url=https://www.hancinema.net/hancinema-s-news-seo-eun-soo-confirmed-for-kingmaker-128127.html|title=[HanCinema's News] Seo Eun-soo Confirmed for "Kingmaker" |first=William |last=Schwartz|date=March 29, 2019|access-date=November 27, 2021|website=HanCinema}}
- Kim Jong-soo as President, based on Park Chung-hee
- Yoon Kyung-ho as Mr. Kim, based on Kim Hyong-uk{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/609/0000085127 |title= 윤경호 '킹메이커' 출연확정, 설경구-이선균과 호흡 (공식입장) |trans-title= Yoon Kyung-ho confirmed to appear in 'Kingmaker', working with Seol Kyung-gu and Lee Seon-gyun (official position) |author= Kim Myung-mi |work= Newsen |publisher=Naver |date= April 1, 2019 |access-date= November 27, 2021 |language=ko}}
- Lee Hae-Young as Lee Han-Sang, based on Yi Cheol-seung
- Park Hyung-soo as Jeong-hyeon
- Kim Sae-byuk as Myung-sook
- Jung Woo-hyuk as Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Lee Hwa-ryong as opposition lawmaker
- Yoon Se-woong as secretary Kim Woon-beom
- Son Kyung-won as New Democratic Party campaigner
- Bae Jong-ok as Hee-ran, based on Lee Hee-ho
- Jin Seon-kyu as Farmer
- Kim Joo-ryoung as Professor Kang
- Jang In-sub
}}
Production
Sul Kyung-gu was cast in the film in July 2018 as politician and Lee Sun-kyun as political strategist. Director Byun Sung-Hyun and Sol Kyung-gu are working together after 2017 crime thriller film The Merciless.{{cite web|url=http://koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/news.jsp?pageIndex=1&blbdComCd=601006&seq=4918&mode=VIEW&returnUrl=&searchKeyword=|title=SUL Kyung-gu & BYUN Sung-hyun Reunite for KINGMAKER: THE FOX OF THE ELECTION|author= Pierce Conran|date=30 July 2018|access-date= November 27, 2021|website=Korean Film Biz Zone}} On March 29, 2019, on completion of cast line-up the script reading site was revealed by releasing photos.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hancinema.net/photos--cast-update-first-reading-stills-added-and-cast-updated-for-the-upcoming-korean-movie-kingmaker-128104.html|title=Photos + Cast Update] First Reading Stills Added and Cast Updated for the Upcoming Korean Movie "Kingmaker"|date=March 29, 2019|access-date=November 27, 2021|website=HanCinema}}
Director Byun Sung-Hyun worked with his old team for the film. Art director Han Ah-reum, Kim Hong-jip and Lee Jin-hee (music) and Lee Gil-gyu, director of Lighting have worked with him on The Merciless.{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/076/0003803652 |title= '불한당'→'킹메이커' 이선균 "지금껏 본 적 없는 시대극 탄생" |trans-title= 'Rogue' → 'Kingmaker' Lee Seon-gyun "The birth of a historical drama like you've never seen before" |author=Jo Ji-young |work=Sports Chosun|publisher=Naver|date= November 18, 2021 |access-date= November 27, 2021 |language=ko}} The film was produced with an estimated cost of {{KRW|12 billion}}.{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/108/0003023898 |title='해적:도깨비깃발' '킹메이커' 개봉, 설연휴 韓영화 흥행 기대↑ [종합]|trans-title='Pirates: Goblin Flag' and 'Kingmaker' release, Korean movie box office expectations for the Lunar New Year's holiday ↑ [General]|author=Jeong Hyung-hwa|work=Star News|publisher=Naver|date=January 26, 2022|access-date=January 26, 2022|language=ko}}
Principal photography began on March 25, 2019.{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/108/0003011795 |title= '킹메이커' 故김대중 대통령 실화 모티프 공식 발표..전면승부 택했다 [종합] |trans-title= 'Kingmaker' The late President Dae-Jung Kim's true story motif was officially released.. I chose an all-out game [Comprehensive] |author= Jeong Hyung-hwa |work= Star News |publisher=Naver|date= December 10, 2021|access-date= December 10, 2021 |language=ko}} and It ended in July 30, 2019.
Release
The film was scheduled for release on December 29, 2021{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/312/0000516338 |title= [공식] 설경구X이선균 '킹메이커', 12월 29일 개봉 확정 |trans-title=[Official] Seol Kyung-gu X Lee Seon-gyun 'Kingmaker' confirmed for release on December 29th|author=Kim Ji-won|work= Ten Asia|publisher=Naver|date= December 7, 2021|access-date= December 7, 2021|language=ko}} but due to fresh wave of COVID-19 pandemic it has been postponed to January 2022 to coincide with Korean New Year holiday.{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/108/0003013431 |title= '킹메이커'→'비상선언' 개봉 연기..영화계 불어닥친 한파 [★NEWSing] |trans-title= 'Kingmaker' → 'Emergency Declaration' release postponed.. Cold wave in the film industry [NEWSing] |author= Kim Na-yeon |work=Star News|publisher=Naver |date=December 17, 2021|access-date= December 17, 2021|language=ko}} It was released on January 26, 2022.{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/108/0003017294 |title='킹메이커' 1월26일 개봉..But 영화관 영업시간 제한이 변수|trans-title='Kingmaker' will be released on January 26th..But movie theater business hours are a variable |author=Jeong Hyung-hwa|work=Star News|publisher=Naver|date= December 31, 2021|access-date= December 31, 2021 |language=ko}}
The film was officially invited in competition section of the 24th Udine Far East Film Festival held from April 22 to 30, 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=408&aid=0000146877 |author=Kim Kyung-hee|date=February 23, 2022|title='킹메이커' 제24회 이탈리아 우디네 극동영화제 공식 초청!|trans-title='Kingmaker' officially invited to the 24th Italian Far East Film Festival in Udine! |access-date=February 23, 2022|website=MBC Entertainment |language=ko}}
=Home media=
The film was made available for streaming on IPTV (Olleh TV, SK Btv, TV, LG U+TV), Home Choice, TVING, Naver TV, WAVVE, Google Play, KT skylife, Cinefox and KakaoPage from February 24, 2022.{{Cite news |url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/117/0003579457 |title='킹메이커', 오늘(24일) IPTV와 OTT! 극장 동시 VOD 서비스 오픈|trans-title='Kingmaker', today (24th) IPTV and OTT! Simultaneous theater VOD service opened|author=Kwak Myeong-dong|work=My Daily |publisher=Naver|date= February 24, 2022 |access-date= February 24, 2022 |language=ko}}
Reception
=Box office=
The film was released on 1184 screens on January 26, 2022.{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/films/index/filmsView.jsp?movieCd=20188441 |title=KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) Box office: Kingmaker (2022)|access-date=February 6, 2022|work=KOFIC}} As per Korean Film Council (Kofic) integrated computer network, the film opened at 2nd place with 58,974 admissions at the Korean box office.{{Cite news|url=https://www.kobis.or.kr/kobis/mobile/main/findDailyBoxOfficeList.do |title=일별 박스오피스|trans-title= Daily box office|work=Korean Film Council |publisher=KOBIS |date=February 8, 2022|access-date= February 9, 2022|language=ko}} It maintained its no 2 position at the Korean box office for consecutive 14 days after its release.{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/108/0003026139 |title='해적:도깨비깃발' 10일 연속 1위..100만 눈앞 [★무비차트]|trans-title='Pirates: Goblin Flag' 1st place for 10 days in a row.. 1 million in front of [★Movie Chart]|author=Hyung-hwa Jeong |work=Star News |publisher=Naver |date=February 5, 2022|access-date=February 5, 2022|language=ko}}
{{As of|2022|9|10|df=US|}}, it is at 12th place among all the Korean films released in the year 2022, with gross of US$6.00 million and 775,583 admissions.{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/boxOffice_Yearly.jsp?mode=BOXOFFICE_YEAR&selectDt=2022&category=ALL&country=K|title=KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office: Korean films of 2022|access-date= July 31, 2022|work=KOFIC}}
=Critical response=
Song Kyung-won of Cine21 wrote that the film differed from other political dramas and films as it focused on the relationships between the main characters rather than politics or the actual plot, given the fact that the storyline itself was a thinly-veiled reference to Kim Dae-jung's presidential election campaign. Song appreciated the direction of Byun Seong-hyeon's writing, "From the stylish scenes, sensuous shooting, and the strong chemistry between the characters, the director's talents are still alive." Concluding the review, Song observed that Seo's use of negative campaigning to help Kim win raised a fundamental question about whether the end justifies the means.{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/140/0000046462 |title=[리뷰] 세상을 바꾸려면 우선 이겨야 한다 '킹메이커'|trans-title=[Review] To change the world, you must first win 'Kingmaker'|author=Song Kyung-won |work=Cine21|publisher=Naver|date=January 26, 2022|access-date=January 26, 2022|language=ko}}
Accolades
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{hancinema film|Kingmaker}}
- {{kmdb film|22103}}
Category:2020s Korean-language films
Category:Films postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Category:South Korean political drama films
Category:Films set in Gangwon Province, South Korea
Category:Films set in South Jeolla Province
Category:Films about politicians
Category:Films about presidential elections
Category:Political drama films based on actual events
Category:South Korean films based on actual events