The Point Men (2023 film)

{{Infobox film

| name = The Point Men

| image = The Point Men film poster.jpg

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| native_name = {{Infobox Korean film name

| hangul = 교섭

| hanja = 交涉

| rr = Gyoseob}}

| director = Yim Soon-rye

| producer = {{Plainlist|

Shin Bum-Soo
Nam Jeong-il}}

| writer = Ahn Yeong-su

| screenplay =

| based_on =

| starring = Hwang Jung-min
Hyun Bin
Kang Ki-young

| music = Jeong Hyeon-su

| cinematography =

| editing = Kim Sun-min

| studio = {{Plainlist|

Watermelon Pictures Co.
One Take Film}}

| distributor = Megabox Plus M

| released = {{Film date|2023|1|18|}}

| runtime =

| country = South Korea

| language = Korean

| budget =

| gross = {{USD|13.5 million}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/boxOffice_Yearly.jsp?mode=BOXOFFICE_YEAR&selectDt=2023&category=ALL&country=K|title=KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office: Korean films of 2023|access-date= February 23, 2023 |work=KOFIC}}

}}

The Point Men ({{ko-hhrm|교섭|交涉|rr=Gyoseob|lit=Bargaining}}) is a 2023 South Korean action thriller film directed by Yim Soon-rye and starring Hwang Jung-min and Hyun Bin.{{cite web|url=https://channels.vlive.tv/EBF267/vtoday/1.12898158|title=After "Crash Landing on You", Huyn Bin hits big screen with "Bargaining"|date=February 21, 2020|website=JTBC Plus|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=February 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225102018/https://channels.vlive.tv/EBF267/vtoday/1.12898158|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hancinema.net/hancinema-s-news-hyun-bin-confirmed-for-bargaining-138940.html|title=[HanCinema's News] Hyun Bin Confirmed for "Bargaining"|first=William |last=Schwartz|date=February 21, 2020|website=HanCinema}} The film is based on the 2007 South Korean hostage crisis in Afghanistan and the subsequent rescue mission.{{cite web|url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/hollywood/hyun-bin-and-hwang-jung-min-head-jordan-shoot-bargaining-will-adhere-local-quarantine-procedures-548817|title=Hyun Bin and Hwang Jung Min head to Jordan to shoot for Bargaining; Will adhere to local quarantine procedures|website=Pink villa|date=July 13, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=September 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929085227/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/hollywood/hyun-bin-and-hwang-jung-min-head-jordan-shoot-bargaining-will-adhere-local-quarantine-procedures-548817|url-status=dead}}

{{Cite web|url=https://www.hancinema.net/korean_movie_Bargaining.php|title=Bargaining Movie (2020)|first=William |last=Schwartz|website=HanCinema}} It was released on January 18, 2023, in South Korea and screened in Dolby Atmos.{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/312/0000590434 |title= 황정민·현빈의 긴박한 '교섭'…돌비 애트모스로 완성된 리얼함 |trans-title= Hwang Jung-min and Hyun Bin's urgent 'negotiation'... Realism with Dolby Atmos |author= Kang Min-kyung |work=Ten Asia |publisher= Naver |date= January 10, 2022 |access-date= January 10, 2022 |language=ko}}

Premise

A story about a diplomat and a National Intelligence Service (NIS) agent who struggle and risk their lives on foreign soil to save Korean hostages that have been abducted in Afghanistan. The film is based on true events of 2007 South Korean hostage crisis in Afghanistan, when 23 South Korean missionaries were captured and held hostage in Afghanistan. Hyun Bin playing a NIS agent conducts a rescue operation and negotiations with the help of diplomat played by Hwang Jung-min.

Cast

Hwang Jung-min as Jung Jae-ho, diplomat{{Cite web|url=https://www.onemusic.ph/news/bargaining-to-star-hyun-bin-and-hwang-jung-min-5760|title=New Action Film "Bargaining" To Star Hyun Bin And Hwang Jung Min|date=2020-07-14|first=LILY |last=GRACE TABANERA|website=One Music|access-date=2020-09-30}}
Hyun Bin as Park Dae-sik, NIS agent{{Cite web|url=https://www.cosmo.ph/entertainment/hyun-bin-new-movie-bargaining-a2520-20200221|title='Crash Landing On You' Star Hyun Bin Is Working On A New *Action* Film|date=2020-02-21|first=LILY |last=GRACE TABANERA|website=Cosmo|access-date=2020-09-30}}
Kang Ki-young as Qasim / Lee Bong-han{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=416&aid=0000290183|author=Kim Ji-hye|title=최악의 피랍 사건"…황정민x현빈 '교섭', 내년 1월18일 개봉|trans-title=The Worst Kidnapping Case"... Hwang Jung-min x Hyun Bin's 'Negotiation' will be released on January 18 next year|publisher=SBS Entertainment News|via=Naver|date=December 7, 2022|access-date=December 7, 2022|language=ko}}
Jung Jae-sung as Vice Minister Kim{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=057&aid=0001712169|author=Lee Nam-kyung|title=정재성, '교섭' 출연→황정민X현빈과 호흡…원칙주의 외교부 팀장 役(공식) |trans-title=Jung Jae-seong, appeared in 'Negotiation' → breathing with Hwang Jung-min X Hyun Bin... Principled Ministry of Foreign Affairs team leader role (official)|website=MBN|via=Naver|date=December 28, 2022|access-date=December 28, 2022|language=ko}}
Kwon Hyuk as Secretary
Baek Joo-hee as Debate program pd{{cite web|url=https://www.newssunday.co.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=news&wr_id=152028|title='유어 아너' 백주희, 권력에 굴하지 않는 부두파 두목으로 변신해 화제|website=Sunday Newspaper|date=August 24, 2024}}
Bryan Larkin as Abdula{{Cite news|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=437&aid=0000330552 |author=Kim Seon-woo |title=박형수·안창환·전성우·브라이언 라킨…'교섭' 빛낸 조연진 |trans-title=Hyungsoo Park, Changhwan Ahn, Sungwoo Jeon, Brian Larkin... Jo Yeon-jin shines in 'Negotiation' |date=January 31, 2023 |access-date=January 31, 2023 |work=JTBC |publisher=Naver |language=ko}}
Jeon Sung-woo as Secretary Cha
Fahim Fazli Taliban leader
Lee Seung-chul as Minister Choi
Iyad Hajjaj as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan
Ahn Chang-hwan as Sim Bo-jung
Park Hyung-soo as Park Jeon-ryak

Production

The film inspired by a true story of 23 South Korean Christian volunteers taken hostage by Taliban militants in Afghanistan in 2007, was to commence its filming in late March 2020, in Jordan, but due to the COVID-19 outbreak the shooting was postponed.{{cite web|last=Kim|first=Joon-suk|title=코로나19 한국발 입국 제한→황정민X현빈 '교섭' 측 "촬영 지장 없도록 노력"[공식]|trans-title=Corona 19 entry restrictions from Korea → Hwang Jung-min x Hyun-bin'negotiation' side "Efforts not to interfere with shooting" [Official]|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003534899&|date=February 24, 2020|website=Sports Chosun|publisher=Naver|accessdate=October 23, 2020}} After normalisation principal photography began in late April 2020. The actors and production team flew in July for Jordan schedule of filming.{{cn|date=June 2023}} The shooting at Jordan was wrapped up in September 2020.{{cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/hollywood/south-korean-star-hyun-bin-lands-in-jordan-to-shoot-1.72603252|title=South Korean star Hyun Bin lands in Jordan to shoot|work=Gulf News|date=July 15, 2020|accessdate=September 30, 2020}}

Release

The film was originally slated to be released in September 2022, but was postponed due to aftermath of COVID-19 and busy schedule of lead actors.{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/241/0003250835 |title= '교섭' 황정민 현빈, 홍보 인터뷰 안한다 '왜?'|trans-title= 'Bargaining' Hwang Jung-min and Hyun-bin, no PR interview 'why?'|author= Lee Hyun-ah |work= Ilgan Sports |publisher=Naver |date=January 10, 2023|access-date=January 10, 2023|language=ko}} In December 2022, with the release of trailer the theatrical release date of the film was announced for January 18, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/117/0003680557 |title= 덥수룩한 수염의 현빈, 사막 한가운데서 포착 ('교섭') |trans-title= Hyun Bin with a bushy beard, caught in the middle of the desert ('Negotiation') |author= Kim Nara |work= My Daily |publisher=Naver |date=December 23, 2022|access-date=December 23, 2022|language=ko}} After the domestic release, the film is slated to release in North America on January 27, in Hong Kong and Macau on February 2, in Taiwan on February 3, in Philippines on February 8, in Cambodia on March 3, and in Thailand on March 23.{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/609/0000677390 |title= 황정민X현빈 '교섭' 북미→아시아·중동·아프리카서도 개봉|trans-title= Hwang Jung-min X Hyun-bin's 'Negotiation' is released in North America → Asia, the Middle East and Africa|author= Bae Hyo-joo |work= Newsen |publisher=Naver |date=January 13, 2023|access-date=January 13, 2023|language=ko}} The film was released in select theaters in the United States and Canada on January 27, 2023, by 815 Pictures.{{Cite web|url=https://filmcombatsyndicate.com/the-point-men-trailer-hyun-bin-and-hwang-jung-min-battle-terrorists-in-north-american-theaters-this-month/ |title= THE POINT MEN Trailer: Hyun Bin And Hwang Jung-Min Battle Terrorists In North American Theaters This Month!|author= Lee B. Golden III|date=January 6, 2023|access-date=January 31, 2023 |website=Film Combat Syndicate |language=en}}

Reception

=Box office=

The film was released on January 18, 2023, on 1289 screens.{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/films/index/filmsView.jsp?movieCd=20190808 |title=KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) Box office: The Point Men (2023) |access-date=January 22, 2023|work=KOFIC}} It opened at 1st place at the Korean box office with 104,798 admissions.{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/003/0011650786 |title= 황정민·현빈 '교섭' 첫 날 1위 출발…'아바타' 4위로 |trans-title= Hwang Jung-min and Hyun-bin start at No. 1 on the first day of 'Negotiation'... 'Avatar' 4th place |author= Son Jeong-bin |work= Newsis |publisher=Naver |date=January 19, 2023|access-date=January 19, 2023|language=ko}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.kobis.or.kr/kobis/mobile/main/findRealTicketList.do |title=실시간 예매율 |trans-title=Real-time reservation rate (box office)|work=Korean Film Council |publisher=KOBIS |date=January 19, 2023 |access-date=January 20, 2023 |language=ko}} The film topped the weekly collection on Korean box office for the week January 16 ~ 22 by collecting US$5,478,201 and 659,022 viewers.{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/boxOffice_Weekly.jsp?mode=BOXOFFICE_WEEKLY&startYMD=20230101&endYMD=20230122&searchFrom=52th&searchTo=3th&week=Weekly&category=ALL&country=ALL# |title=KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) Box office: Weekly/Weekend for the week Jan 16, 2023 ~ Jan 22, 2023 |access-date=January 23, 2023|work=KOFIC}} The film surpassed 1 million viewers in 7 days of its release. It recorded 1,023,232 cumulative audience on January 24.{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/117/0003690352 |title= '아빠' 현빈, 성공적 본업 복귀…'교섭', 7일만 100만 돌파 [공식]|trans-title= 'Dad' Hyun Bin, successfully returning to his main job... 'Negotiation' surpassed 1 million views in 7 days [Official]|author= Kim Nara |work= My Daily |publisher=Naver |date=January 24, 2023|access-date=January 24, 2023|language=ko}}

{{As of|2023|2|22|df=US|}}, with gross of US$13,471,119 and 1,721,111 admissions, it is the second highest-grossing Korean film of 2023.

=Critical response=

Lee Da-won of Cine21 reviewing the film praised the performances of Hwang Jung-min and Hyun Bin, writing, "Thanks to the stable breathing of the two people, the attraction of the movie increases even more." Lee opined that though director Im Soon-rye's narration is "as expected neat and clear", but "the lack of catharsis in the 'narrative of defeating evil and rescuing the weak' is a major weakness that does not ensure the success of the film".{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/144/0000861326 |title= '교섭' 성공률 70%[편파적인 씨네리뷰] |trans-title= 'Negotiation' success rate 70% [biased Cine Review] |author= Lee Da-won|work= Cine21 |publisher=Naver |date=January 14, 2023|access-date=January 14, 2023|language=ko}} Han Hyeon-jeong reviewing for Maeil Economy wrote that "there is little catharsis even in the more perfect coordination of the two perfect protagonists." Han liked the climax and Kang Ki-young's energy but felt film was "insipid". In conclusion, she wrote that "I don't think I'd like to recommend it to someone or experience it again."{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/009/0005075939 |title= 황정민·현빈의 첫 '교섭'[한현정의 직구리뷰]|trans-title= Hwang Jung-min and Hyun Bin's first 'negotiation' [Han Hyun-jung's direct review]|author= Han Hyeon-jeong |work= Maeil Economy |publisher=Naver |date=January 17, 2023|access-date=January 18, 2023|language=ko}}

Awards and nominations

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" \|+ Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination ! scope="col" \| Award ceremony ! scope="col" \| Year ! scope="col" \| Category ! scope="col" \| Nominee / Work ! scope="col" \| Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" \| {{abbr\|Ref.\|Reference(s)}}
scope="row" rowspan="1" \| Baeksang Arts Awards \| rowspan="1" \| 2023 \| Best Supporting Actor – Film \| Kang Ki-young \|{{nom}} \| align="center" rowspan="1" \|{{Cite web\|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=437&aid=0000338421\|author=Cho Yeon-kyung\|title=제59회 백상예술대상, TV·영화·연극 최종 후보 공개\|trans-title=59th Baeksang Arts Awards, TV/Film/Play Finalists Revealed\|work=JTBC\|via=Naver\|date=April 7, 2023\|access-date=April 29, 2023\|language=ko}}{{Cite web\|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=609&aid=0000718413 \|title='헤어질 결심' 대상→더 글로리' 3관왕, 이변 없는 수상[백상예술대상①] \|trans-title='Decision to break up' Daesang→The Glory' 3 crowns, no surprises [Baeksang Arts Awards ①] \|author=Park Soo-in \|date=April 29, 2023 \|access-date=April 29, 2023 \|work=Newsen \|language=ko \|via=Naver}}
scope="row" rowspan="2" \| Buil Film Awards \| rowspan="2" \| 2023 \| Best Director \| Yim Soon-rye \| {{nom}} \| align="center" rowspan="2" \|{{cite news\|url=https://n.news.naver.com/article/082/0001229145 \|title=누가 받아도 될 정도로 훌륭한 후보들, 그중 최고는 누구? \|trans-title=There are so many good candidates that anyone can accept them, who is the best? [2023 Buil Film Awards]\|last1=Nam\|first1=Yoo-jung\|last2=Lee \|first2=Woo-young \|publisher=Busan Ilbo\|via=Naver \|date=August 27, 2023\|access-date=September 4, 2023\|language=ko}}
Best Supporting Actor \| Kang Ki-young \| {{nom}}
scope="row"\| Monterrey International Film Festival \| 2023 \| Achievement Award \| rowspan=2\|Yim Soon-rye \| {{won}} \| align="center" \| {{cite web\|url=https://entertain.naver.com/movie/now/read?oid=018&aid=0005573789\|last=Kim\|first=Bo-young\|title=교섭' 임순례 감독, 몬테레이국제영화제 공로상 받는다\|trans-title='Negotiation' director Lim Soon-rye, Monterey International Film Festival Merit Award\|publisher=E-Daily\|via=Naver\|date=September 13, 2023\|access-date=September 13, 2023\|language=ko}}
scope="row" rowspan="2" \| Grand Bell Awards \| rowspan="2" \| 2023 \| Best Director \| {{Pending}} \| align="center" rowspan="2" \|{{cite web\|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/312/0000633698 \|title= 제59회 대종상영화제, 남우주연상→여우주연상 후보 및 각 부문별 선정 \|trans-title= 59th Grand Bell Awards, Best Actor → Best Actress Award nominations and selection in each category \|author= Ha-neul Lee \|work= Ten Asia \|publisher=Naver\|date= October 24, 2023\|access-date= October 24, 2023\|language=ko}}
Best Supporting Actor \| Kang Ki-young \| {{Pending}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"

|+ Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination

! scope="col" | Award ceremony

! scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Category

! scope="col" | Nominee / Work

! scope="col" | Result

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}

scope="row" rowspan="1" | Baeksang Arts Awards

| rowspan="1" | 2023

| Best Supporting Actor – Film

| Kang Ki-young

|{{nom}}

| align="center" rowspan="1" |{{Cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=437&aid=0000338421|author=Cho Yeon-kyung|title=제59회 백상예술대상, TV·영화·연극 최종 후보 공개|trans-title=59th Baeksang Arts Awards, TV/Film/Play Finalists Revealed|work=JTBC|via=Naver|date=April 7, 2023|access-date=April 29, 2023|language=ko}}{{Cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=609&aid=0000718413 |title='헤어질 결심' 대상→더 글로리' 3관왕, 이변 없는 수상[백상예술대상①] |trans-title='Decision to break up' Daesang→The Glory' 3 crowns, no surprises [Baeksang Arts Awards ①] |author=Park Soo-in |date=April 29, 2023 |access-date=April 29, 2023 |work=Newsen |language=ko |via=Naver}}

scope="row" rowspan="2" | Buil Film Awards

| rowspan="2" | 2023

| Best Director

| Yim Soon-rye

| {{nom}}

| align="center" rowspan="2" |{{cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/article/082/0001229145 |title=누가 받아도 될 정도로 훌륭한 후보들, 그중 최고는 누구? |trans-title=There are so many good candidates that anyone can accept them, who is the best? [2023 Buil Film Awards]|last1=Nam|first1=Yoo-jung|last2=Lee |first2=Woo-young |publisher=Busan Ilbo|via=Naver |date=August 27, 2023|access-date=September 4, 2023|language=ko}}

Best Supporting Actor

| Kang Ki-young

| {{nom}}

scope="row"| Monterrey International Film Festival

| 2023

| Achievement Award

| rowspan=2|Yim Soon-rye

| {{won}}

| align="center" | {{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/movie/now/read?oid=018&aid=0005573789|last=Kim|first=Bo-young|title=교섭' 임순례 감독, 몬테레이국제영화제 공로상 받는다|trans-title='Negotiation' director Lim Soon-rye, Monterey International Film Festival Merit Award|publisher=E-Daily|via=Naver|date=September 13, 2023|access-date=September 13, 2023|language=ko}}

scope="row" rowspan="2" | Grand Bell Awards

| rowspan="2" | 2023

| Best Director

| {{Pending}}

| align="center" rowspan="2" |{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/312/0000633698 |title= 제59회 대종상영화제, 남우주연상→여우주연상 후보 및 각 부문별 선정 |trans-title= 59th Grand Bell Awards, Best Actor → Best Actress Award nominations and selection in each category |author= Ha-neul Lee |work= Ten Asia |publisher=Naver|date= October 24, 2023|access-date= October 24, 2023|language=ko}}

Best Supporting Actor

| Kang Ki-young

| {{Pending}}

References

External links

{{hancinema film}}
{{IMDb title}}
[http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/films/index/filmsView.jsp?searchKeyword=&userId=&peopleCd=&mode=INDEX_FILMS_LIST&movieCd=20190808&pageRowSize=10&pageIndex=1&strMenuId=010401 The Point Men on Kofic]
{{Kmdb film}}
{{Rotten tomatoes}}
[https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt21111120/ The Point Men] at Mojo

Category:Films directed by Yim Soon-rye

Category:2023 films

Category:South Korean action thriller films

Category:South Korean crime drama films

Category:Films shot in Jordan

Category:2020s Korean-language films

Category:South Korean films based on actual events

Category:Films about hostage takings

Category:Film productions suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Category:Films about diplomats

Category:Films about the National Intelligence Service (South Korea)

Category:Films set in 2006

Category:Films set in Afghanistan

Category:Films set in Karachi

Category:Films set in Seoul

Category:Works about the Taliban

Category:Plus M Entertainment films