Troll Factory
{{Short description|2024 film by Ahn Gooc-jin}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Troll Factory film poster.png
| alt = The film poster for Troll Factory featuring the four main characters
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| native_name = {{Infobox Korean film name/auto|hangul=^댓글_부대|hanja=댓글部隊|lk=Comment Army}}
| director = Ahn Gooc-jin
| screenplay = Ahn Gooc-jin
| based_on = {{Based on|The Comments Army|Chang Kang-myoung}}
| producer = Seo Yeon
| starring = {{PL|
}}
| cinematography = Cho Hyung-rae
| editing = Han Mi-yeon
| music = Cho Young-wook
| studio = {{PL|
- Cinematic Moment
- Dmix Studio
- Oneweek
}}
| distributor = Acemaker Movieworks
| released = {{Film date|2024|03|27}}
| country = South Korea
| language = Korean
| budget =
| gross = {{USD|6.7}}{{nbsp}}million{{Cite Box Office Mojo|id=31315820|title=Troll Factory|access-date=September 15, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/boxOffice_Yearly.jsp?mode=BOXOFFICE_YEAR&selectDt=2024&category=ALL&country=K|title=KOBIZ - Korean Film Biz Zone : Yearly BoxOffice [2024]|website=KOFIC|access-date=September 15, 2024|archive-date=July 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240708182638/http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/boxOffice_Yearly.jsp?mode=BOXOFFICE_YEAR&selectDt=2024&category=ALL&country=K|url-status=live}}
}}
Troll Factory ({{Korean|댓글부대}}) is a 2024 South Korean crime thriller film directed and written by Ahn Gooc-jin, and starring Son Suk-ku, Kim Sung-cheol, Kim Dong-hwi, and Hong Kyung. Based on the novel of the same Korean name by Chang Kang-myoung, a work based on the National Intelligence Service's illegal election intervention case. The film is about a public opinion manipulation company that infiltrates Internet sites and manipulates public opinion by leaving malicious comments. It was released on March 27, 2024.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:손석구 기자 됐다...영화 '댓글부대' 3월27일 공개|trans-title=Son Suk-ku became a reporter...Movie 'The Comments Army' released on March 27th|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=003&aid=0012348550|via=Naver|publisher=Newsis|language=ko|last=Son|first=Jung-bin|date=January 31, 2024|access-date=March 25, 2024|archive-date=March 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325090039/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=003&aid=0012348550|url-status=live}}
Plot
A talented but overly conceited journalist, Im Sang-jin, is investigating corporate corruption involving the conglomerate Manjeon. However, his report is later revealed to be false, leading to his suspension. One day, a mysterious informant approaches him, claiming to have manipulated public opinion online.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:손석구 기자 됐다...영화 '댓글부대' 3월27일 공개|trans-title=Son Suk-ku became a reporter...Movie 'The Comments Army' released on March 27th|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=003&aid=0012348550|via=Naver|publisher=Newsis|language=ko|last=Son|first=Jung-bin|date=January 31, 2024|access-date=March 25, 2023|archive-date=March 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325090039/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=003&aid=0012348550|url-status=live}}
Cast
- Son Suk-ku as Im Sang-jin, a newspaper reporter seeking reinstatement after being suspended for writing an article exposing the tyranny of a large corporation.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:"여론 조작" 손석구·김성철·김동휘·홍경 '댓글부대' 3월 27일 개봉|trans-title="Public Opinion Manipulation" Son Suk-ku, Kim Sung-cheol, Kim Dong-hwi, Hong Kyung's 'The Comments Army' opens on March 27th|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=437&aid=0000377659|via=Naver|publisher=JTBC|language=ko|last=Cho|first=Yeon-gyeong|date=January 31, 2024|access-date=March 25, 2024|archive-date=March 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325090039/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=437&aid=0000377659|url-status=live}}
- Kim Sung-cheol as Jjingppeotking, the de facto leader who takes the lead in manipulating public opinion.
- Kim Dong-hwi as Chattatkat, an anonymous writer who creates hooked stories and an informant.
- Hong Kyung as Paeptaek, a keyboard warrior who becomes increasingly addicted to the power of online public opinion manipulation.
- Lee Seon-hee as Pyo Ha-jeong, editor-in-chief of a newspaper company.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:이선희, '댓글부대' 출연 확정…손석구와 호흡(공식)|trans-title=Lee Sun-hee confirmed to appear in 'The Comments Army'...Working with Son Suk-kyu (Official)|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=057&aid=0001730286|via=Naver|publisher=MBN|language=ko|last=Lee|first=Nam-kyung|date=March 22, 2024|access-date=March 25, 2024}}
- Kim Jun-han as Nam Ki-hong, the head of the public opinion team.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:[시네마 데이트] 온라인 여론조작의 희생양 손석구의 고군분투기, '댓글부대'|trans-title=[Cinema Date] Son Suk-ku's struggle as a victim of online public opinion manipulation, 'The Comments Army'|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=465&aid=0000007765|via=Naver|publisher=Ize|language=ko|last=Jung|first=Soo-jin|date=March 21, 2024|access-date=March 25, 2024|archive-date=March 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325111623/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=465&aid=0000007765|url-status=live}}
- Oh Ye-ju as Lee Eun-chae, a college student.{{cite web|url=https://sports.khan.co.kr/article/202403270212003|script-title=ko:신예 오예주, 영화 '댓글부대'로 충무로 데뷔···이은채 역|work=Sports Kyunghyang|language=ko|date=March 27, 2024|access-date=December 15, 2024|archive-date=December 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215173710/https://sports.khan.co.kr/article/202403270212003|url-status=live}}
Production
=Development=
The film developed under the working title The Comments Army and director Ahn Gooc-jin, who directed Alice in Earnestland (2015) took the megaphone.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:손석구 측 "'댓글부대' 출연 제안 받고 검토 中" [공식입장]|trans-title=Son Suk-ku's side "We have received an offer to appear on 'Comment Unit' and are considering it" [Official Position]|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0001482402|via=Naver|publisher=Sports News|language=ko|last=Lee|first=Chang-gyu|date=July 29, 2022|access-date=March 25, 2024}}
It is produced by Cinematic Moment and distributed by Acemaker Movieworks.
=Casting=
Son Suk-ku was offered the role of the main character in July 2022.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:[단독] '대세' 손석구, 장강명 소설 원작 영화 '댓글부대' 주연 물망|trans-title=[Exclusive] 'Trend' Son Suk-ku is expected to star in 'The Comments Army', a movie based on Chang Kang-myoung's novel|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=421&aid=0006249292|via=Naver|publisher=News1|language=ko|last=Jung|first=Yoo-jin|date=July 29, 2022|access-date=March 25, 2024|archive-date=March 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325090042/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=421&aid=0006249292|url-status=live}}
The appearance of Son along with Kim Dong-hwi were confirmed in January 2023.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:[단독] '대세' 손석구, 차기작 '댓글부대' 확정...계묘년 열일ing|trans-title=[Exclusive] 'Trend' Son Suk-ku confirms his next work 'The Comments Army'...Year of the Black Rabbit working hard|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=312&aid=0000593476|via=Naver|publisher=Ten Asia|language=ko|last=Choi|first=Ji-ye|date=January 27, 2023|access-date=March 25, 2024|archive-date=March 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325090044/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=312&aid=0000593476|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|script-title=ko:[단독] '충무로 라이징' 김동휘, '댓글부대' 주연 캐스팅...손석구와 호흡|trans-title=[Exclusive] 'Chungmuro Rising' Kim Dong-hwi cast as lead role in 'The Comments Army'...Working with Son Suk-ku|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=312&aid=0000593477|via=Naver|publisher=Ten Asia|language=ko|last=Choi|first=Ji-ye|date=January 27, 2023|access-date=March 25, 2024|archive-date=August 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829050624/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/312/0000593477|url-status=live}} Followed by Kim Sung-cheol and Hong Kyung in February 2023.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:[단독] '대세' 김성철 '댓글부대' 합류...손석구 만난다|trans-title=[Exclusive] 'Trend' Kim Sung-cheol joins 'The Comments Army'...Meet Son Seok-gu|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=437&aid=0000332793|via=Naver|publisher=JTBC|language=ko|last=Cho|first=Yeon-gyeong|date=February 20, 2023|access-date=March 25, 2024|archive-date=March 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325090040/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=437&aid=0000332793|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|script-title=ko:[단독] '약한영웅' 홍경, '댓글부대' 캐스팅…손석구·김동휘 연기 호흡|trans-title=[Exclusive] 'Weak Hero' Hong Kyung, cast in 'The Comment Unit'...acting together with Son Suk-ku and Kim Dong-hwi|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004793265|via=Naver|publisher=OSEN|language=ko|last=Kim|first=Bo-ra|date=February 20, 2023|access-date=March 15, 2024|archive-date=March 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325090041/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004793265|url-status=live}}
=Production design=
Art Director Hong Joo-hee, who worked on The School Nurse Files (2020), My Name (2021) and The Moon (2023), contributes to the film's unique visual identity with a realistic and original production design. Costume Designer Jo Sang-kyung, who worked on Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017), Squid Game (2020–present), and Hunt (2022), brings her expertise to craft unique and distinct character portrayals through the costumes.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:'댓글부대', '오징어게임'→'콘유' 제작진 뭉쳤다|trans-title='The Comments Army', 'Squid Game'→'Concrete Utopia' production crew unite|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=213&aid=0001289039|via=Naver|publisher=TV Report|last=Kim|first=Yeon-ju|date=March 13, 2024|access-date=March 25, 2024|archive-date=March 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325101402/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=213&aid=0001289039|url-status=live}}
=Filming=
Principal photography began on March 6, 2023.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:[공식] 손석구X김성철X김동휘X홍경 '댓글부대'로 뭉쳤다..6일 크랭크인|trans-title=[Official] Son Suk-ku X Kim Sung-cheol X Kim Dong-hwi X Hong Kyung, united in 'The Comments Army'..Crank in on the 6th|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003978525|via=Naver|publisher=Sports Chosun|language=ko|last=Cho|first=Ji-young|date=March 7, 2023|access-date=March 25, 2024|archive-date=August 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829050707/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/076/0003978525|url-status=live}}
=Visual effects=
Cinematographer Cho Hyung-rae, who worked on The Merciless (2017), Kingmaker (2022), Kill Boksoon (2023) and Concrete Utopia (2023), and Lighting Director Lee Gil-gyu who worked on Tune in for Love (2019), Kingmaker (2022), Concrete Utopia (2023) and Citizen of a Kind (2024) have combined their talents to craft the film's overall visual concept.
Music
Music Director Cho Young-wook, who worked on A Taxi Driver (2017), The Man Standing Next (2020), Hunt (2022), Decision to Leave (2022), Narco-Saints (2022) and Honey Sweet (2023), will compose the score, creating a unique atmosphere for the film to take place.
Accolades
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
! scope="col" | Award ceremony ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Nominee ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Ref heading}} |
| scope="row" | Director's Cut Awards
| style="text-align:center" | 2025 | Best New Actor (Film) | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center" |{{cite web|url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/108/0003322300|date=April 22, 2025|author=Kim Mi-hwa|work=Star News|publisher=Naver|script-title=ko:유아인, 남자배우상 후보→여자배우상은 김고은vs김고은 [디렉터스컷 어워즈]|language=ko|access-date=April 22, 2025}} |
|---|
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{KMDb film}}
- {{IMDb title}}
- {{HanCinema film}}
Category:2020s South Korean films
Category:2020s Korean-language films
Category:2024 crime drama films
Category:South Korean crime drama films