Man on the Edge | |
---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Jo Jin-kyu |
Screenplay by | Park Gyu-tae |
Produced by | Kim Woo-jae |
Starring | Park Shin-yang |
Cinematography | Jung Ki-won |
Edited by | Shin Min-kyung |
Music by | Jang Young-gyu Dalpalan |
Distributed by | Showbox |
Release date |
|
Running time | 128 minutes |
Country | South Korea |
Language | Korean |
Box office | US$21.9 million |
Man on the Edge (Korean: 박수건달; RR: Baksoogundal) is a 2013 South Korean film directed by Jo Jin-kyu. The story follows Gwang-ho (Park Shin-yang), the right-hand man of a powerful crime boss, as he struggles with the realization that he is destined to become a shaman. Man on the Edge is Jo's fifth film; his debut feature, My Wife Is a Gangster, is credited with sparking the popularity of gangster themes in Korean cinema. In a press conference for the film, lead actor Park Shin-yang told the audience that among his other preparations, he went to a shaman to learn more about the traditional practices.
Plot
After a knife wound alters the fate line on his palm, high-class gangster Gwang-ho experiences a series of strange events, including voices beckoning him and objects inexplicably moving around him. One such event occurs when a newspaper, seemingly blown by the wind, persistently follows Gwang-ho as he tries to run away. The newspaper features a large ad for a fortune teller, whom Gwang-ho decides to visit. The fortune teller reveals that the strange events are being caused by a spirit. In order to accept the spirit and begin fulfilling his destiny as a shaman, he must perform a ritual. Unable to escape his fate, Gwang-ho begins a double life, working as a fortune teller by day and a criminal by evening—a life that is increasingly difficult to maintain. Meanwhile, Tae-joo (Kim Jung-tae), a rival member of the gang, is plotting to get rid of Gwang-ho and take his place. Tae-joo's henchmen spy on Gwang-ho, and as they begin to discover his secret, they use their discoveries to try to destroy him.
Cast
- Park Shin-yang as Park Gwang-Ho
- Kim Jung-tae as Cha Tae-Joo
- Uhm Ji-won as Fortune Teller Myung
- Jung Hye-young as Dr. Choi Mi-Sook
- Yoon Song-yi as Han Soo-Min
- Kim Sung-kyun as Ko Choon-Bong
- Choi Ji-ho as Wang Dae-Sik
- Choi Il-hwa as the boss
- Park Jung-ja as the elder fortune teller
- Kim Hyeong-beom as Cha Tae-Joo's henchman
- Cho Jin-woong as the prosecutor
Release and reception
The film was released on January 9, 2013. It remained at #1 at the South Korean box office throughout the month, selling 3,897,969 tickets during its theatrical run.
It received mixed reviews, with audiences generally rating it higher than film critics. Many reporters described it as a fun movie with compelling performances; some criticized the story's unrealistic circumstances, while others hailed the story as unique and interesting.
When the film was released in Japan, Japanese production and distribution company SPO held a 'Park Shin-yang Festival 2014' at Toho Cinemas Roppongi Hills. The festival ran from February 1–14, screening other films featuring the actor in addition to the main feature.
Awards and nominations
Year | Awards | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | 49th Baeksang Arts Awards | Most Popular - Actor (Film) | Park Shin-yang | Nominated | |
Most Popular - Actress (Film) | Uhm Ji-won | Nominated | |||
22nd Buil Film Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated | |||
50th Grand Bell Awards | Nominated | ||||
Best New Actress | Chun Min-hee | Nominated |
References
- "Man on the Edge (2013)". Korean Film Council. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- Lee, Ju-suk (21 March 2021). "Comedy Starring Park Shin-yang". OrganicLife. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
- Kim, Ho-il (3 January 2013). "Baksoogundal: The gangster who became a shaman". Busan Ilbo. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
- "'Baksoogundal' Park Shinyang "I went to a shaman and studied"". Chosun Ilbo. 12 December 2012.
- Jeon, Ye-sol (11 November 2019). "Park Shin-yang's acting elicits laughter and emotion in the movie 'Baksoogundal'". Kookje International Newspaper. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
- Han, Sang-hyung (21 March 2021). "EBS Korean movie special 'Baksoogundal' "Why did God take over Me?" Starring Park Shin-yang, Kim Jong-tae, Kim Ji-won, and Chung Hye-young". Korea Lecturer News. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
- Conran, Pierce (7 February 2013). "Man on the Edge (박수건달, Baksoogeondal) 2012". Modern Korean Cinema. Archived from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
- "Mon on the Edge – Cast (Korean Movie, 2012, 박수건달)". HanCinema. Archived from the original on 2022-05-07. Retrieved 2022-05-07.
- "Box Office Rankings". The Korea Times. 24 January 2013. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
- "The gangster who became a shaman, the new movie 'Baksoogundal'". Seol Newspaper. 27 March 2013. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
- Jung, Young-sik (11 November 2019). "Critics say 'Baksoogundal' is disappointing, in the mid-range of 6 points". Jungbu Ilbo. Archived from the original on 11 November 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
- Im, Mi-na (30 December 2012). "(New Movie) The Gangster Who Became a Shaman: Baksoogundal". Yunhap News. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
- "Park Shin-yang's 'Baksoogundal' is a big hit... Over 2 million spectators". Hankyung News. 20 January 2013. Archived from the original on 6 May 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
- "'Park Shinyang Festival' in Japan to coincide with the release of 'Baksoogundal'". KBS News. 8 January 2014.
- "박수건달". Naver (in Korean). Archived from the original on 17 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
External links
- Man on the Edge at IMDb
- Man on the Edge at HanCinema
- Baksoogundal at Movist
- Man on the Edge (Baksugeondal) at the Korean Movie Database (in Korean)
- Man on the Edge at the Korean Film Council
- Baksoogundal at Daum
- Bak-su-geon-dal at Rotten Tomatoes