Hero (2022 South Korean film)

This article is about the film. For the TV series, see Hero (2009 TV series).

Hero (Korean: 영웅; Hanja: 英雄; RR: Yeong-ung) is a 2022 South Korean historical musical drama film directed by Yoon Je-kyoon, starring Jung Sung-hwa, Kim Go-eun, and Na Moon-hee. Based on the stage musical of the same name [ko], the film follows the true story of An Jung-geun, a Korean-independence activist who assassinated Itō Hirobumi, the first Prime Minister of Japan and Resident-General of Korea in 1909.^[2] It was released theatrically on December 21, 2022.^[3][4]

Hero
Theatrical release poster
Hangul	영웅
Hanja	英雄
Revised Romanization	Yeong-ung
Directed by	Yoon Je-kyoon
Screenplay by	Han Ah-reum Yoon Je-kyoon
Based on	Hero by Yoon Ho-jin
Produced by	Jeon Min
Starring	Jung Sung-hwa Kim Go-eun Na Moon-hee
Cinematography	Cho Sang-yoon
Production companies	JK Film ACOM Co., Ltd.
Distributed by	CJ Entertainment
Release date	December 21, 2022 (2022-12-21)
Country	South Korea
Languages	Korean Japanese Russian
Box office	US$24.8 million[1]

Plot

Leaving his mother, Jo Maria [ko], and his family behind, An Jung-geun, the leader of the Korean righteous army, departs his hometown.

Together with his comrades, An strengthens his resolve for national independence by forming the Danji Alliance, an oath sealed by severing the fourth finger. Sworn in blood, he vows to assassinate Itō Hirobumi, the mastermind behind Japan’s invasion of Joseon, within three years or take his own life if he fails.

To fulfill his promise, Ahn Jung-geun travels to Vladivostok. Alongside his longtime ally Woo Deok-soon, sharpshooter Cho Do-seon, the youngest member of the independence army Yoo Dong-ha, and comrade Ma Jin-joo, who cares for the troops, he begins preparations for the mission.

Meanwhile, Seol-hee, an intelligence operative of the independence army, conceals her identity and infiltrates Itō Hirobumi’s circle. Risking her life to gather information deep in enemy territory, she urgently relays a top-secret report that Hirobumi will soon visit Harbin for a meeting with Russia.

Finally, on October 26, 1909, the day An Jung-geun has been awaiting arrives. At Harbin Station, he unhesitatingly pulls the trigger on Itō Hirobumi upon his arrival. Captured at the scene, An Jung-geun faces trial not as a prisoner of war but as a criminal under Japanese law, not Joseon's.

Cast

• Jung Sung-hwa as An Jung-geun^[5]
• Kim Go-eun as Seol-hee^[5]
• Na Moon-hee as Cho Maria^[5]
• Jo Jae-yoon as Woo Deok-soon^[5]
• Bae Jung-nam as Cho Do-seon^[5]
• Lee Hyun-woo as Yoo Dong-ha^[5]
• Park Jin-joo as Ma Jin-joo^[5]
• Jo Woo-jin as Ma Do-sik^[6]
• Lee Il-hwa as Empress Myeongseong^[6]
• Kim Seung-rak as Ito Hirobumi^[7][8]
• Jang Young-nam as Lady Kim Ah-ryeo^[9]
• Kim Joong-hee as Wada^[10]
• Nojima Naoto as Chiba (Japanese-Korean interpreter & prison guard)^{[citation needed]}

Production

Principal photography began on September 10, 2019, with South Korea and Latvia as the main shooting location.^[2] The filming wrapped on December 15, 2019.^[11]

Release

The first poster and teaser trailer debuted on March 26, 2020.^[12] It was slated to release theatrically in July 2020, but due to COVID-19 Pandemic its release was delayed.^[13]

Philanthropy

On December 15, 2022, Film Hero donated 8.15 million won to 815 Run to renovate the homes of the children of freedom fighters.^[14]

Accolades

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

Award ceremony	Year	Category	Nominee / Work	Result	Ref.
Buil Film Awards	2023	Best Cinematography	Cho Sang-yoon	Nominated	[15]
		Best Music	Hwang Sang-jun	Nominated
Director's Cut Awards	2023	Best Director in film	Yoon Je-kyoon	Nominated	[16]
		Best Actor in film	Jung Sung-hwa	Nominated
		Best Actress in film	Kim Go-eun	Nominated
		Best New Actress in film	Park Jin-joo	Nominated
Golden Cinema Awards	2023	Best Cinematography	Cho Sang-yoon	Silver	[17]
Grand Bell Awards	2023	Best Supporting Actress	Na Moon-hee	Nominated
		Best Music	Hwang Sang-jun	Nominated
		Best Sound	Park Ju-kang	Nominated
		Best Costume Design	Shim Hyun-seob	Nominated
		Best Editing	Lee Seon-min	Nominated
		Public Attention Award	Jung Sung-hwa	Won	[18]
Marie Claire Asia Star Awards	2023	Marie Claire Award	Kim Go-eun	Won	[19]
Blue Dragon Film Awards	2023	Best Music	Hwang Sang-jun	Nominated

References

1. "KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office: Korean films of 2022". KOFIC. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
2. Pierce Conran (September 25, 2019). "Hitmaker JK YOUN Returns with HERO". Korean Film Council. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
3. Jo Ji-young (October 26, 2022). "[공식] '쌍천만 흥행' 윤제균 감독 韓최초 오리지널 뮤지컬 영화 '영웅', 12월 개봉 확정" [[Official] 'Two million hits' Director Yoon Je-gyun's first original musical movie 'Hero' in Korea confirmed for release in December]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved October 26, 2022 – via Naver.
4. Kang Min-kyung (November 24, 2022). "[공식] 정성화→김고은 '영웅', 12월 21일 개봉…'아바타2'와 일주일 차" [[Official] Jung Sung-hwa → Kim Go-eun 'Hero', released on December 21st... One week difference from 'Avatar 2']. 10Asia (in Korean). Retrieved November 24, 2022 – via Naver.
5. Ryu Ji-yoon (November 24, 2022). "영웅', 12월 21일 개봉…정성화·김고은 등 7인 포스터 공개" [Hero', released on December 21st... Posters of 7 members, including Jung Seong-hwa and Kim Go-eun, are released]. Dailian (in Korean). Retrieved November 24, 2022 – via Naver.
6. Kim Soo-young (December 22, 2022). "[인터뷰] '영웅' 윤제균 감독, "도전은 나의 성향" [[Interview] ‘Hero’ director Jekyun Yoon, “Challenge is my inclination] (in Korean). Cine21. Retrieved December 22, 2022 – via Naver.
7. Choi Young-joo (December 22, 2022). "韓 뮤지컬 영화 '영웅' 개봉…'알라딘'·'라라랜드' 넘었다" [Korean musical movie 'Hero' released... Beyond 'Aladdin' and 'La La Land]. No Cut News (in Korean). Retrieved December 22, 2022 – via Naver.
8. Hwang Seo-yeon (December 22, 2022). "신파 빼고 개연성 더한 '영웅', 영리한 취사선택 [씨네뷰]" ['Hero' with more probabilities without Shinpa, clever choice of food [Cineview]]. TV Daily (in Korean). Retrieved December 22, 2022.
9. Jung Yu-mi (December 19, 2022). "[시네마 데이트] '영웅', 대중의 취향 제대로 저격한 윤제균의 저력" [[Cinema Date] 'Hero', Yoon Je-gyun's ability to snipe the public's taste properly]. IZE (in Korean). Retrieved December 22, 2022 – via Naver.
10. Kwak Myung-dong (December 27, 2022). "영웅', 천의 얼굴 장영남부터 국적을 뛰어넘는 열연의 김승락·김중희까지 "스크린 압도" ['Hero', from Jang Young-nam with a thousand faces to Kim Seung-rak and Kim Joong-hee with passionate performances that transcend nationalities, "overwhelming the screen]. My Daily (in Korean). Retrieved December 27, 2022 – via Naver.
11. Cho Ji-young (December 26, 2019). "[공식] "韓영화 새로운 도전"…윤제균 감독X정성화 만난 '영웅', 3개월 촬영 크랭크업". Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved June 19, 2022.
12. Cho Ji-young (March 26, 2020). "[공식] 정성화X윤제균 감독 만난 韓최초 뮤지컬 영화 '영웅', 여름 개봉 확정". Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved June 19, 2022.
13. Bae Hyo-joo (June 11, 2020). "CJ 측 "윤제균 신작 '영웅' 개봉 일정 변경, 적기 찾을 것"(공식입장)". Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved June 19, 2022.
14. Lee Jung-yeon (December 16, 2022). "영화 '영웅', 독립유공자 후손 돕기 815만원 기부 [연예뉴스 HOT]" [The movie ‘Hero’, donated 8.15 million won to help the descendants of independence activists [Entertainment News HOT]]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Retrieved December 17, 2022 – via Naver.
15. Nam, Yu-jeong (August 27, 2023). "누가 받아도 될 정도로 훌륭한 후보들, 그중 최고는 누구? [2023 부일영화상]" [There are so many good candidates that anyone can accept them, who is the best? [2023 Buil Film Awards]]. Busan Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved October 6, 2023 – via Naver.
16. Kim, Bo-young (February 9, 2023). "제21회 '디렉터스컷 어워즈', 3년 만에 오프라인 개최 [공식]" [The 21st 'Director's Cut Awards' held offline for the first time in 3 years [Official]]. E-Daily (in Korean). Retrieved February 17, 2023 – via Naver.
17. Kim, Young-woong (October 21, 2023). "제43회 황금촬영상시상식 성료". Job Post (in Korean). Retrieved October 27, 2023.
18. Lee, Myeong-ju (November 15, 2023). "콘유', 대종상 6관왕 달성...이병헌X김서형, 남녀 주연상". Dispatch (in Korean). Retrieved October 16, 2023.
19. Lee, Seo-hyun (October 6, 2023). "마리끌레르 아시아스타어워즈 2023" [Marie Claire Asia Star Awards 2023] (in Korean). Marie Claire. Retrieved October 6, 2023 – via Naver.

External links

• Hero at HanCinema
• Hero at the Korean Movie Database (in Korean)