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The Chaser (film)
Encyclopedia
The Chaser is a 2008 South Korean thriller film starring Kim Yoon-seok
and Ha Jeong-woo
. It was directed by Na Hong-jin
in his directional debut. The film, which was inspired by Korean serial killer Yoo Young-chul
, was shot on location around Mangwon
in the Mapo-gu
district, Seoul
.
who is in financial trouble because two of his girls
have gone missing. One night he sends Mi-Jin, one of his few remaining girls to a customer. But he later realises that this is the same person who was the last to see his missing girls. Believing that this man is reselling his women
, he goes to look for Mi-Jin. On the way he contacts his old police task force
to ask for some help. But they cannot assist because the Mayor of Seoul
, who they are guarding, has just been attacked with human feces during a walkabout. The police are now preoccupied with a media storm because they have suffered humiliation for failing to protect the mayor.
Mi-Jin wakes up tied in a dingy bathroom. Her "customer", Je Yeong-min, comes in with a bag of tools. He tells her that a previous victim had her tongue cut out for screaming too much. Using a hammer, he tries to drive a chisel into her head. But she resists and he hurts his hand, enraged, he hits her on the back of the head with the hammer. Moments later callers from the local church arrive at the house inquiring about its owner, Mr Park. Yeong-min has no time to finish off Mi-jin so he invites the elderly couple in and butchers them.
But while searching the area for a parking spot in an attempt to ditch their car, he collides with Joong-ho's vehicle in an alleyway. Joong-ho senses that the man, Yeong-min, is hiding something because he will not give him his phone number so they can sort the insurance out. Joong-ho calls the customer's number establishing this is the man he wants. Yeong-min tries to run away but is caught and badly beaten by Joong-ho. On returning to the collision, both men are arrested by a suspicious local cop. At the station, Yeong-min admits he has killed up to nine people but hints Mi-jin could still be alive. A fracas starts when competing divisions all want to investigate the previous high-profile unsolved murders in the area. The chief arrives and throws the book at everyone because of Yeong-min's injuries. He is concerned the beating will be picked up by the media following the night's earlier mayoral incident.
Despite his confession, the police have no physical evidence so they cannot detain Yeong-min for longer than 12 hours. In order to get some, Joong-ho goes to Mi-jin's apartment to collect DNA samples to match against the blood found on the suspect's clothing. In the apartment, he discovers Eun-ji, Mi-Jin's daughter, home alone. Reluctantly he takes her with him while he follows up a lead in Yeong-min's home town. There he learns the suspect had been sent to prison for three years for attacking
his own nephew. They return to the area where Mi-jin went missing. Following a lead, Joong-ho finds a place where Yeong-min had once been living. On the walls are a host of religious drawing. But while Joong-ho is away, Eun-ji wanders off after following a woman that looks like her mother. Off camera, she is apparently knocked down by a delivery driver on a moped in a hit and run. After a frantic search, Joong-ho finds her and takes her to a hospital. He signs the forms as her father.
Meanwhile time has run out for the police. The prosecutors office order that Yeong-min be released because the police have no evidence. Secondly the reopening of high-profile murder cases at a time when the police have been publicly shamed will not be accepted by the media. The prosecutor tells the police chief that the arrest, the suspect's suspicious injuries and rapid confession will be portrayed as the police's vapid attempt to save face. To avoid the political fallout, Yeong-min is released without charge. While at the same time, the chief orders the arrest of Joong-ho as a scapegoat because he attacked the suspect. Despite being taken, the former cop escapes from the police van to look for Mi-jin.
Unknown to anyone, Mi-jin freed herself and escaped from the house and the walled garden that is full of human remains. Badly injured but lucid, she finds help at the corner shop. Just as Yeong-min approaches the house he stops at the same shop to buy some cigarettes. The shop keeper innocently tells him what has happened to Mi-jin and that there is "maniac" loose. Taking a hammer, he kills the shop owner before killing and decapitating Mi-jin. Arriving at an undetermined time later, Joong-ho finds the street closed off by the task force police and the store a bloodbath.
The police realising that they have now been humiliated again throw everything into the search for Yeong-min. Meanwhile Joong-ho, who is bereft at what has happened, follows up his detective's hunch and visits the local church; a link between the house callers and the car that Yeong-min had been driving the night of the accident. Standing outside the church, Joong-ho notices that the statue of the crucified Jesus matched the drawings he had seen in the room. Inquiries with the deacon
lead him to the "assistant" who was staying at Mr Park's house.
On arrival Joong-ho discovers that a now smartly-dressed Yeong-min, with his bag of tools, is just about to leave. A massive fight ensues in which a fish tank containing the body parts of one of the previous prostitutes is smashed. Eventually Joong-ho prevails but just as he is about to bring a hammer down on Yeong-min's skull the police burst in and restrain the former policeman. As Joong-ho is pushed face down to the ground, he looks into the dead eyes of of the prostitute and sees images of Mi-Jin and her daughter.
The film ends with Joong-ho sitting silently in the hospital room alongside Eun-ji's bed. He takes her hand in his own.
on 14 February 2008. On its opening weekend it grossed $
3,914,847 and was ranked second at the box office, behind American film Jumper
. It then topped the box office for three consecutive weekends, and as of 1 June had grossed a total of $35,760,133. The Chaser received a total of 5,120,630 admissions nationwide, which as of September 2008 makes it the year's third most popular film in South Korea, after The Good, the Bad, the Weird
and Speedy Scandal
.
for $1 million. William Monahan
was in early discussions to write the script, with Leonardo DiCaprio
named as a potential star, though no deals have yet been set. Both were involved in Martin Scorsese
's The Departed
, a successful remake of Hong Kong
thriller Infernal Affairs
.
Kim Yoon-seok
Kim Yoon Suk is a South Korean film, television and stage actor.-Movies:* The Professionals *Punch *The Yellow Sea *Jeon Woo Chi *Running Turtle...
and Ha Jeong-woo
Ha Jeong-woo
Ha Jeong-woo is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his role in The Chaser, the 2008 film loosely based on serial killer Yoo Young-chul.-Career:Born as Kim Seong-hun, Ha Jeong-woo comes from an acting family...
. It was directed by Na Hong-jin
Na Hong-jin
Na Hong-jin is a South Korean film director and screenwriter. For his debut film The Chaser , Na won Best Director at the 45th Grand Bell Awards in 2008. The film also won the award for Best Film....
in his directional debut. The film, which was inspired by Korean serial killer Yoo Young-chul
Yoo Young-Chul
Yoo Young-chul is a South Korean serial killer and self-confessed cannibal. Although he admitted to murdering 21 people, mostly prostitutes and wealthy old men, the Seoul Central District Court convicted him of 20 murders . Yoo burned three and mutilated at least 11 of his victims, admitting he...
, was shot on location around Mangwon
Mangwon-dong
Mangwon-dong is a dong, or neighbourhood of the Mapo-gu district in Seoul, South Korea.-External links:* * at the Mapo-gu official website at the Mapo-gu official website...
in the Mapo-gu
Mapo-gu
Mapo-gu is a gu, or district, within Seoul, South Korea. It lies northwest of the Han River. Several universities and government buildings are located here. Mapo is especially well-known for the Hongdae club district around Hongik University. Seoul Metropolitan Subway Line 1, Line 5, and Line 6...
district, Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
.
Plot
Eom Joong-ho is a dishonest, ex-detective turned pimpPimp
A pimp is an agent for prostitutes who collects part of their earnings. The pimp may receive this money in return for advertising services, physical protection, or for providing a location where she may engage clients...
who is in financial trouble because two of his girls
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
have gone missing. One night he sends Mi-Jin, one of his few remaining girls to a customer. But he later realises that this is the same person who was the last to see his missing girls. Believing that this man is reselling his women
Human trafficking
Human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings for the purposes of reproductive slavery, commercial sexual exploitation, forced labor, or a modern-day form of slavery...
, he goes to look for Mi-Jin. On the way he contacts his old police task force
Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is the primary police force for the South Korean capital city of Seoul, and is one of 13 provincial police forces in the country, and is headquartered along with the National Police Headquarters in the city itself...
to ask for some help. But they cannot assist because the Mayor of Seoul
Mayor of Seoul
The mayor of Seoul is the head of government for Seoul, the capital and largest city of South Korea. The position is traditionally considered one of the most powerful in the country. Many Seoul mayors have gone on to hold ministerial office...
, who they are guarding, has just been attacked with human feces during a walkabout. The police are now preoccupied with a media storm because they have suffered humiliation for failing to protect the mayor.
Mi-Jin wakes up tied in a dingy bathroom. Her "customer", Je Yeong-min, comes in with a bag of tools. He tells her that a previous victim had her tongue cut out for screaming too much. Using a hammer, he tries to drive a chisel into her head. But she resists and he hurts his hand, enraged, he hits her on the back of the head with the hammer. Moments later callers from the local church arrive at the house inquiring about its owner, Mr Park. Yeong-min has no time to finish off Mi-jin so he invites the elderly couple in and butchers them.
But while searching the area for a parking spot in an attempt to ditch their car, he collides with Joong-ho's vehicle in an alleyway. Joong-ho senses that the man, Yeong-min, is hiding something because he will not give him his phone number so they can sort the insurance out. Joong-ho calls the customer's number establishing this is the man he wants. Yeong-min tries to run away but is caught and badly beaten by Joong-ho. On returning to the collision, both men are arrested by a suspicious local cop. At the station, Yeong-min admits he has killed up to nine people but hints Mi-jin could still be alive. A fracas starts when competing divisions all want to investigate the previous high-profile unsolved murders in the area. The chief arrives and throws the book at everyone because of Yeong-min's injuries. He is concerned the beating will be picked up by the media following the night's earlier mayoral incident.
Despite his confession, the police have no physical evidence so they cannot detain Yeong-min for longer than 12 hours. In order to get some, Joong-ho goes to Mi-jin's apartment to collect DNA samples to match against the blood found on the suspect's clothing. In the apartment, he discovers Eun-ji, Mi-Jin's daughter, home alone. Reluctantly he takes her with him while he follows up a lead in Yeong-min's home town. There he learns the suspect had been sent to prison for three years for attacking
Lobotomy
Lobotomy "; τομή – tomē: "cut/slice") is a neurosurgical procedure, a form of psychosurgery, also known as a leukotomy or leucotomy . It consists of cutting the connections to and from the prefrontal cortex, the anterior part of the frontal lobes of the brain...
his own nephew. They return to the area where Mi-jin went missing. Following a lead, Joong-ho finds a place where Yeong-min had once been living. On the walls are a host of religious drawing. But while Joong-ho is away, Eun-ji wanders off after following a woman that looks like her mother. Off camera, she is apparently knocked down by a delivery driver on a moped in a hit and run. After a frantic search, Joong-ho finds her and takes her to a hospital. He signs the forms as her father.
Meanwhile time has run out for the police. The prosecutors office order that Yeong-min be released because the police have no evidence. Secondly the reopening of high-profile murder cases at a time when the police have been publicly shamed will not be accepted by the media. The prosecutor tells the police chief that the arrest, the suspect's suspicious injuries and rapid confession will be portrayed as the police's vapid attempt to save face. To avoid the political fallout, Yeong-min is released without charge. While at the same time, the chief orders the arrest of Joong-ho as a scapegoat because he attacked the suspect. Despite being taken, the former cop escapes from the police van to look for Mi-jin.
Unknown to anyone, Mi-jin freed herself and escaped from the house and the walled garden that is full of human remains. Badly injured but lucid, she finds help at the corner shop. Just as Yeong-min approaches the house he stops at the same shop to buy some cigarettes. The shop keeper innocently tells him what has happened to Mi-jin and that there is "maniac" loose. Taking a hammer, he kills the shop owner before killing and decapitating Mi-jin. Arriving at an undetermined time later, Joong-ho finds the street closed off by the task force police and the store a bloodbath.
The police realising that they have now been humiliated again throw everything into the search for Yeong-min. Meanwhile Joong-ho, who is bereft at what has happened, follows up his detective's hunch and visits the local church; a link between the house callers and the car that Yeong-min had been driving the night of the accident. Standing outside the church, Joong-ho notices that the statue of the crucified Jesus matched the drawings he had seen in the room. Inquiries with the deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
lead him to the "assistant" who was staying at Mr Park's house.
On arrival Joong-ho discovers that a now smartly-dressed Yeong-min, with his bag of tools, is just about to leave. A massive fight ensues in which a fish tank containing the body parts of one of the previous prostitutes is smashed. Eventually Joong-ho prevails but just as he is about to bring a hammer down on Yeong-min's skull the police burst in and restrain the former policeman. As Joong-ho is pushed face down to the ground, he looks into the dead eyes of of the prostitute and sees images of Mi-Jin and her daughter.
The film ends with Joong-ho sitting silently in the hospital room alongside Eun-ji's bed. He takes her hand in his own.
Cast
- Kim Yoon-seokKim Yoon-seokKim Yoon Suk is a South Korean film, television and stage actor.-Movies:* The Professionals *Punch *The Yellow Sea *Jeon Woo Chi *Running Turtle...
... Eom Joong-ho, former police officer - Ha Jeong-wooHa Jeong-wooHa Jeong-woo is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his role in The Chaser, the 2008 film loosely based on serial killer Yoo Young-chul.-Career:Born as Kim Seong-hun, Ha Jeong-woo comes from an acting family...
... Je Yeong-min, serial killer - Seo Yeong-hie ... Kim Mi-jin
- Koo Bon-woong ... Oh-jot
- Kim Yoo-jeong ... Eun-ji, Mi-jin's daughter
- Jeong In-gi ... Detective Lee
- Park Hyo-joo ... Detective Oh
- Choi Jeong-woo ... Chief of Police
- Min Kyeong-jin ... Team chief
Reception
The Chaser was released in South KoreaSouth Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
on 14 February 2008. On its opening weekend it grossed $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
3,914,847 and was ranked second at the box office, behind American film Jumper
Jumper (film)
Jumper is a 2008 American science fiction film, loosely based on the 1992 science fiction novel of the same name by Steven Gould. The film is directed by Doug Liman and stars Hayden Christensen, Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Bell, Rachel Bilson, Max Thieriot, AnnaSophia Robb, and Diane Lane...
. It then topped the box office for three consecutive weekends, and as of 1 June had grossed a total of $35,760,133. The Chaser received a total of 5,120,630 admissions nationwide, which as of September 2008 makes it the year's third most popular film in South Korea, after The Good, the Bad, the Weird
The Good, the Bad, the Weird
The Good, the Bad, the Weird is a 2008 South Korean western film directed by Kim Ji-woon, starring Song Kang-ho, Lee Byung-hun, and Jung Woo-sung...
and Speedy Scandal
Speedy Scandal
Speedy Scandal is a 2008 South Korean film written and directed by Kang Hyeong-cheol and starring Cha Tae-hyun in the lead role. This was Director Kang's first film before Sunny and the highest grossing Korean film of the year.- Plot :...
.
Awards
- 2008 Puchon International Fantastic Film FestivalPuchon International Fantastic Film FestivalThe Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival , or PiFan, is an international film festival held annually in July in Bucheon, South Korea...
- Best Film
- Best Actress (Seo Yeong-hee)
- Asian Award
- 2008 Daejong Film Awards
- Best Film
- Best Director
- Best Actor
- Best Production
- Best Cinematography
- Popularity Award (Kim Yoon-seokKim Yoon-seokKim Yoon Suk is a South Korean film, television and stage actor.-Movies:* The Professionals *Punch *The Yellow Sea *Jeon Woo Chi *Running Turtle...
)
- 2008 Blue Dragon Film AwardsBlue Dragon Film AwardsThe Blue Dragon Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony that is presented annually by Sports Chosun for excellence in film in South Korea....
- Best Actor (Kim Yoon-seokKim Yoon-seokKim Yoon Suk is a South Korean film, television and stage actor.-Movies:* The Professionals *Punch *The Yellow Sea *Jeon Woo Chi *Running Turtle...
)
- Best Actor (Kim Yoon-seok
- 2009 Yubari International Fantastic Film FestivalYubari International Fantastic Film FestivalThe , also sometimes called YIFFF, is held in a resort-like environment in the small town of Yūbari on the northernmost Japanese island of Hokkaidō. From 1990 to 1999, the festival was known as the Yubari International Fantastic Adventure Film Festival.-History:...
- Yubari Fantaland grand-prix:
- 2009 Deauville Asian Film FestivalDeauville Asian Film FestivalThe Deauville Asian Film Festival takes place annually in Deauville, France since 1999 and focuses on Asian cinema...
- Best Action Asia Film
- 2009 Asian Film AwardsAsian Film AwardsThe Asian Film Awards are presented annually by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society to recognize excellence of film professionals in the film industries of Asian cinema.-History:...
- Best Editor (Kim Sun-min)
International remake
In March 2008, the remake rights to The Chaser were bought by Warner Bros.Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
for $1 million. William Monahan
William Monahan
William J. Monahan is an American screenwriter and novelist. His second produced screenplay was The Departed, a film which earned him a WGA award and an Academy award for Best Adapted Screenplay.-Writer and editor:...
was in early discussions to write the script, with Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio is an American actor and film producer. He has received many awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his performance in The Aviator , and has been nominated by the Academy Awards, Screen Actors Guild and the British Academy of Film and Television...
named as a potential star, though no deals have yet been set. Both were involved in Martin Scorsese
Martin Scorsese
Martin Charles Scorsese is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, actor, and film historian. In 1990 he founded The Film Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to film preservation, and in 2007 he founded the World Cinema Foundation...
's The Departed
The Departed
The Departed is a 2006 American crime thriller film, fashioned as a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs. The film was directed by Martin Scorsese and written by William Monahan...
, a successful remake of Hong Kong
Cinema of Hong Kong
The cinema of Hong Kong is one of the three major threads in the history of Chinese language cinema, alongside the cinema of China, and the cinema of Taiwan...
thriller Infernal Affairs
Infernal Affairs
Infernal Affairs is a 2002 Hong Kong crime-thriller film directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak. It tells the story of a police officer who infiltrates the triads, and a police officer secretly working for the same gang. The Chinese title means "the non-stop path", a reference to Avici, the lowest...
.