The Man From Nowhere
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From AsianMediaWiki
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User Rating
Current user rating: 95/100 (217 votes)
Profile
- Movie: The Man From Nowhere (International English title)
- Revised romanization: Ahjeosshi
- Hangul: 아저씨
- Director: Lee Jeong-Beom
- Writer: Lee Jeong-Beom
- Producer: Lee Tae-Hun, Kim Sung-Woo
- Cinematographer: Lee Tae-Yoon
- Release Date: August 5, 2010
- Runtime: 119 min.
- Production Company: Opus Pictures
- Distributor: CJ Entertainment
- Ticket Sales: 6,170,611
- Language: Korean
- Country: South Korea
Plot
A heroin deal is set to occur at a nightclub. Undercover police are also in the nightclub waiting to make their move. A nightclub employee takes the heroin into the locker room. While the nightclub employee changes out of his uniform he is tazered from behind. Hyo-Jeong (Kim Hyo-Seo), a dancer at the nightclub, walks off with the heroin.
Cha Tae-Sik (Won Bin), known only as "ajusshi" in his neighborhood, runs a dilapidated pawn shop in a seedy part of town. He associates little with those around him except a young girl named So-Mi (Kim Sae-Ron). So-Mi lives near Cha Tae-Sik's pawn shop and often comes over when her junkie mother Hyo-Jeong has men over. One day, So-Mi's mother Hyo-Jeong comes into the pawn shop. She pawns off to Cha Tae-Sik a bag with a camera, which he will hold until she pays him back. Cha Tae-Sik is unaware that in the bag is the heroin she stole from the nightclub.
In a few days vicious mafia men come looking for So-Mi's mother knowing she stole the drugs. In the process they break into Cha Tae-Sik's pawn shop and holds him up. He hears on a cellphone young So-Mi's screaming voice and then gives the gangsters the bag that was brought to him by So-Mi's mother. The gangsters leave the pawn shop, but before they leave they shoot one of their own men dead. The gangsters also drive off with So-Mi and her mother.
Cha Tae-Sik must now go after the dangerous mobsters who stole So-Mi. In the process, Cha Tae-Sik must also face off against the police and his own mysterious past …
Notes
- Korean title "Ajusshi" means literally "mister".
- Director Lee Jeong-Beom started writing the screenplay in January, 2010. The first draft was finished in 3 months.
- Initially the main character was written as a 60 year old North Korean agent, but then revised to a 40 year old man. By chance actor Won Bin read the script and wanted to play the main character. The main character was then re-written to accomodate his younger age and his background as well.
- Yang Ik-Jun was originally cast to play a detective, but due to differences with the production staff dropped out of the film. In his place actor Kim Tae-Hun took over his role.
- Filming began December, 2009.
- The notable scene with actor Won Bin jumping out of a window while being pursued by police officers was actually filmed in several takes. A cameraman ran behind the actor as he jumped out the window and both used wires.
- "The Man From Nowhere" opened #1 at the South Korean box office collecting 702,631 admissions on its opening August 6 - 8 weekend. The movie took the #1 spot for ticket sales for 5 weeks straight & currently sold a total of 6,170,611 tickers.[1]
Cast
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| Won Bin | Kim Sae-Ron |
| Cha Tae-Sik | So-Mi |
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| Kim Hee-Won | Kim Sung-Oh | Kim Tae-Hun | Lee Jong-l | Thanayong Wongtrakul |
| Man-Sik | Jong-Suk | Det. Kim Chi-Gon | Det. No | Ramrowan |
Additional Cast Members:
- Kim Hyo-Seo - Hyo-Jeong (So-Mi's mother)
- Song Young-Chang - Oh Myung-Gyu
- Baek Su-Ryeon - comic book store lady
- Nam Kyeong-Eup - section chief
- Park Seong-Taek - loan shark boss
- Jo Seok-Hyeon - Moon Dal-Seo
- Jo Jae-Yun - Jang Doo-Sik
- Hong So-Hee - Yeon-Soo
- Hwang Min-Ho - Nam Sung-Sik
- Jung Min-Sung - information bureau
- Kwak Byung-Kyu - Det. Kim
- Ryoo Ui-Hyun - delivery boy
Trailers
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Image Gallery
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Film Festivals
- 2010 (29th) Vancouver International Film Festival - Sept. 30-Oct. 15, 2010 - Dragons and Tigers *Canadian Premiere
- 2010 (15th) Pusan International Film Festival - October 7-15, 2010 - Korean Cinema Today: Panorama
- 2010 (30th) Hawaii International Film Festival - October 14-24, 2010 - Spotlight on Korea *Hawaii Premiere
- 2010 (19th) Philadelphia Film Festival - October 14-24, 2010 - The Graveyard Shift
- 2010 (5th) The London Korean Film Festival - November 5-23, 2010
- 2010 (5th) Korean Film Festival In Paris - November 9-November 16 - Feature Films
- 2011 (35th) Hong Kong International Film Festival - March 20 - April 5, 2011 - Gala Presentation
- 2011 (13th) Udine Far East Film - April 29-May 7, 2011 *Italian Premiere
- 2011 (10th) New York Asian Film Festival - July 1-14, 2011 - Sea of Revenge: New Korean Thrillers
- 2011 (2nd) Korean Film Festival in Australia - August 24-29, 2011
- 2011 (17th) L'Etrange Festival - September 2-11, 2011
- 2011 (5th) Seoul-Stockholm Korean Filmfestival - September 10-15, 2011
Awards
- 2010 (19th) Philadelphia Film Festival - October 14-24, 2010
- "Graveyard Shift Special Mention"
- 2010 (47th) Daejong Film Awards - October 29 , 2010
- 2010 (8th) Korean Film Awards - November 18, 2010
- "Best Actor" (Won Bin)
- "Best New Actress" (Kim Se-Ron)
- "Best Cinematography"
- "Best Lighting"
- "Best Editing"
- "Best Visual FX"
- "Best Music"
- 2010 (31th) Blue Dragon Film Awards - November 26, 2010
- "Technical Award"
- "Most Popular Film (by ticket sales)"
- "'Most Popular Stars" (Won Bin)
- 2010 (13th) Director's Cut Awards - December 17, 2010
- "Best Producer" (Lee Tae-Hun)
- 2010 (2nd) Film of the Year Awards - January 27, 2011
- "Best Actor" (Won Bin)
- 2011 (47th) PaekSang Arts Awards - May 26, 2011
- "Best Movie"
- 2011 (33rd) Golden Cinematography Awards - September 1, 2011
- "Gold Medal Cinematography"
Consus Says:
Feb 08 2012 12:41 am
Good movie so far. Kim Song Oh is not the sweet heart in this movie he's a great sadist. Can't wait to see how it'll play out.
Consus Says:
Feb 08 2012 12:40 am
Good movie so far. Kim Song Oh is not the sweet heart in this movie. Can't wait to see how it'll play out.
May Says:
Jan 23 2012 8:19 pm
I just got done re-watching this movie and love it even more. Won Bin's acting is amazing. There are little things he does that are so subtle and brilliant and really adds rich and complex layers to the character. Absolutely superb acting. Now, I know it is just a movie, but does anyone else think Tae-Sik is not going to prison at the end? Because in the scene when the government officials were talking to the local detectives, and the local detectives thought the government official were going to take credit for bringing down the bad guys, the government officials said something like, "You have no idea..." and then proceeded to tell about how heroic Tae-Sik was in his service to the government. I would like to think that they will guarantee that he is not harmed or prosecuted. I know it's only fiction, but I was totally pulled into it. So glad to have come across such a great movie.
Bao Says:
Sep 01 2011 1:17 am
I can not stress enough on how much I recommend this movie
for viewers to watch! Won Bin is such a good actor and
i will forever be a fan!
Binus Says:
May 21 2011 9:37 am
It's one of the best movie i've ever seen and one of the greatest actor in a decade.
Karo Says:
Apr 30 2011 3:13 pm
Well, this is one of the successful movies of Won Bin. I never doubt in his acting. Whatever or whomever he acts, he does it greatly! WB u r the BEST FOREVER!!! All girls from Uzbekistan love & support u!^.^
Anonymous Says:
Apr 24 2011 7:54 pm
I love this movie..!
chie Says:
Apr 09 2011 12:10 pm
Wow .. So many award .. *goodjob
A little bit violence, but the story it's real happen in real life, in the other dark side of this world.
Good Joob
richy Says:
Mar 15 2011 8:41 am
I love it
Riisa Says:
Mar 14 2011 9:07 pm
This movie had very good fight choreography. Won Bin mostly did all the stunts on his own!
Temberh Says:
Mar 10 2011 12:01 pm
I love this movie so much...
Abby (^_*) Says:
Jan 19 2011 5:41 am
My student introduce this movie last year and only in this year I was able to watch it.
I must say that it is extremely splendid. I am from Philippines and I am very happy to experienced what Korean movie really like. And of course, not only Won Bin did a great job but as well as the other characters who did their part neither good or bad.
All of the personnel is worth praising.
Congratulations guys.
Even though, I watched this movie just now, well, It's worth watching for not a single episode was dull.
God speed guys!!!!
Kim Tae-Hyun Says:
Jan 06 2011 2:01 pm
From the second I heard about this movie I wanted to see it. I waited and waited for months and when I finally got the chance, I was not disappointed in the least. I'm from the US and this is one of the first few Korean movies that I have been able to see and the others are no match to this one. Absolutely amazing.
If you can handle the large amount of violence and bloody action scenes, then I highly recommend this movie for you.
Banu Says:
Dec 27 2010 4:20 pm
I just watched the movie.. really i gave a 100000 of 10... Awesome movie.. enjoyed every sec.. not even bit boring..
Must watch Won Bin such a great actor loved him in Autumn in my Heart... he should make more lead and action movies... he was like James Bond but hotterrrrr...
I would have cast him in Iris 3... he is awesome..
^__^
Violera Says:
Dec 27 2010 3:00 pm
Three words: best movie ever! (I mean it) ♥
Banu Says:
Dec 18 2010 5:35 am
That little girl is so lucky.. ^__^ if she grows up and still be making movie.. or famous.. she would be so proud of herself that she was in this movie.. with WON BIN... O__O awesome..
looking forward to watch this movie..
munah za Says:
Oct 09 2010 4:41 am
is the beast
S@lly Says:
Sep 05 2010 10:52 pm
I hope they release the DVD soon because I'm planning on buying it, Won Bin you SEXY BEAST, and Kim Se Ron is absolutely adorable! I'm willing to stomach the heavy violence, but I probably won't even notice it because my eyes will be on Won Bin the whole time! hahahahahaha
Ki Says:
Aug 05 2010 9:48 am
If you're able to stomach the heavy violence and some of the grim subject material in the film then you'll be blown away by "The Man From Nowhere". Due to heavy interest in the film, the screening I went to in Daegu, South Korea had only seats left in the front row (the size of the theatre & screen was massive). While walking to my seat I wondered "I am going to see boogers in Won Bin's nose?" and "can my neck actually support my big head at a 45 degree angle for 2 hours?" Well when when the film started all that didn't matter.
Stylistically you can compare "The Man From Nowhere" with Kim Ji-Woon's "A Bittersweet Life" and Park Chan-Wook's "Oldboy". Stylish, slick, heavily saturated colors leaning towards the dark. There's also gangsters, drug dealers, black market organ dealers and whole lot of scummy villains.
Won Bin also strikes an incredibly charismatic figure in the movie. Personally I felt Bong Joon-Ho's "Mother" was a great film in spite of Won Bin's mediocre performance. In "The Man From Nowhere" the film is a great film because of Won Bin's superb performance. The man takes over the screen in a way I last saw by So Ji-Sub in 2008's "Rough Cut". But I do have one axe to grind with the film - they did push Won Bin's striking image to the limits in too many magazine like poses. Girls may not mind, but I did become mildly annoyed with one or three too many panoramic shots of Won Bin in contemplation mode while gazing away into the distance. With that said, it's a very minor quibble in a vast sea of positives for the film.
There's also Kim Se-Ron who turns in a eye popping performance as the young girl stuck in a dead end life. Something about her expressions went way beyond her young years. Excellant casting choice. Also, all the ancillary performances were also on the money.
The action is slick and really keeps you on the edge of your seat. As stated earlier there's also oodles of blood spewed by razor sharp knives, glock hand guns, punches and kicks. Excessive? Depends on your taste. It teetered perilously close to my limits but by the end of the film, the means seemed to justify the end. Did I mention there's a helluva a lot of bloody action in this film?
Seriously if you can stomach heavy violence and want to see a great action/thriller check out "The Man From Nowhere". It's a heck of a movie.