Kingmaker (film)

For the 2019 film, see The Kingmaker (film).

Kingmaker (Korean: 킹메이커; RR: Kingmeikeo) is a 2022 South Korean political drama film, written and directed by Byun Sung-hyun for Seed Film and starring Sol Kyung-gu, Lee Sun-kyun and Yoo Jae-myung. It was scheduled to be theatrically released on December 29, 2021, but due to rapid increase in COVID-19 pandemic it was released on January 26, 2022, to coincide with Korean New Year holidays. The film was also officially invited in competition section at the 24th Udine Far East Film Festival held from April 22 to 30, 2022.^[4]

Kingmaker
Promotional poster
Hangul	킹메이커
Revised Romanization	Kingmeikeo
Directed by	Byun Sung-hyun
Screenplay by	Byun Sung-Hyun Kim Min-soo
Produced by	Lee Jin-hee Park Jun-ho
Starring	Sol Kyung-gu Lee Sun-kyun
Cinematography	Jo Hyung-rae
Edited by	Kim Sang-bum
Music by	Kim Hong-jip Lee Jin-hee
Production company	Seed Film
Distributed by	Megabox JoongAng PlusM
Release date	January 26, 2022 (2022-01-26)
Running time	123 minutes
Country	South Korea
Language	Korean
Budget	US$12.78 million[1]
Box office	US$6.05 million[2][3]

Premise

The film is based on anecdotal accounts of the working relationship between Kim Dae-jung and his political strategist Uhm Chang-rok during his political career.^[5] Seo Chang-dae is a political strategist who prioritizes winning above all else, while Kim Woon-beom is a politician with ambitions to become president so that he can change the country for the better.

Cast

Main

• Sol Kyung-gu as Kim Woon-beom: the fictional lead character based on Kim Dae-jung, who later became the 8th President of South Korea^[6]
• Lee Sun-kyun as Seo Chang-dae: based on Uhm Chang-rok, a political strategist

Supporting

• Yoo Jae-myung as Kim Young-ho: the character based on Kim Young-sam, who later became the 7th President of South Korea^[7]
• Jo Woo-jin as Director Lee: the character based on Lee Hu-rak, who served as the KCIA director from 1970 to 1973
• Park In-hwan as Kang In-san: the character based on Yu Chin-san
• Kim Sung-oh as Secretary Park: based on a composite of people who were Kim Dae-jung's vassals
• Jeon Bae-soo as Lee's assistant
• Seo Eun-soo as Soo-yeon, support staff^[8]
• Kim Jong-soo as President: the character based on Park Chung-hee, the 3rd President of South Korea
• Yoon Kyung-ho as Mr. Kim: the character based on Kim Hyong-uk, who served as the KCIA director from 1963 to 1969^[9]
• Lee Hae-Young as Lee Han-Sang: the character based on Yi Cheol-seung
• Park Hyung-soo as Jeong-hyeon
• Kim Sae-byuk as Myung-sook
• Jung Woo-hyuk as Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
• Lee Hwa-ryong as opposition lawmaker
• Yoon Se-woong as secretary Kim Woon-beom
• Son Kyung-won as New Democratic Party campaigner

Special appearance

• Bae Jong-ok as Hee-ran: the character based on Lee Hee-ho, Kim Dae-jung's wife
• Jin Seon-kyu as Farmer
• Kim Joo-ryoung as Professor Kang
• Jang In-sub

Production

Sol Kyung-gu was cast in the film in July 2018 as politician and Lee Sun-kyun as political strategist. Director Byun Sung-Hyun and Sol Kyung-gu are working together after 2017 crime thriller film The Merciless.^[10] On March 29, 2019, on completion of cast line-up the script reading site was revealed by releasing photos.^[11]

Director Byun Sung-Hyun worked with his old team for the film. Art director Han Ah-reum, Kim Hong-jip and Lee Jin-hee (music) and Lee Gil-gyu, director of Lighting have worked with him on The Merciless.^[12] The film was produced with an estimated cost of ₩12 billion.^[1]

Principal photography began on March 25, 2019.^[13] and It ended in July 30, 2019.

Release

The film was scheduled for release on December 29, 2021^[14] but due to fresh wave of COVID-19 pandemic it has been postponed to January 2022 to coincide with Korean New Year holiday.^[15] It was released on January 26, 2022.^[16]

The film was officially invited in competition section of the 24th Udine Far East Film Festival held from April 22 to 30, 2022.^[4]

Home media

The film was made available for streaming on IPTV (Olleh TV, SK Btv, TV, LG U+TV), Home Choice, TVING, Naver TV, WAVVE, Google Play, KT skylife, Cinefox and KakaoPage from February 24, 2022.^[17]

Reception

Box office

The film was released on 1184 screens on January 26, 2022.^[18] As per Korean Film Council (Kofic) integrated computer network, the film opened at 2nd place with 58,974 admissions at the Korean box office.^[19] It maintained its no 2 position at the Korean box office for consecutive 14 days after its release.^[20]

As of September 10, 2022^[update], it is at 12th place among all the Korean films released in the year 2022, with gross of US$6.00 million and 775,583 admissions.^[18][3]

Critical response

Song Kyung-won of Cine21 wrote that the film differed from other political dramas and films as it focused on the relationships between the main characters rather than politics or the actual plot, given the fact that the storyline itself was a thinly-veiled reference to Kim Dae-jung's presidential election campaign. Song appreciated the direction of Byun Seong-hyeon's writing, "From the stylish scenes, sensuous shooting, and the strong chemistry between the characters, the director's talents are still alive." Concluding the review, Song observed that Seo's use of negative campaigning to help Kim win raised a fundamental question about whether the end justifies the means.^[5]

Accolades

Year	Award	Category	Recipient(s)	Result	Ref.
2022	58th Baeksang Arts Awards	Best Film	Kingmaker	Nominated	[21][22][23]
		Best Director	Byun Sung-hyun	Won
		Best Actor	Sol Kyung-gu	Won
			Lee Sun-kyun	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actor	Jo Woo-Jin	Won
		Best Screenplay	Byun Sung-hyun and Kim Min-soo	Nominated
		Best Cinematography Award	Jo Hyung-rae	Nominated
		Best Technical Award (Art)	Han Ah-reum	Nominated
	Chunsa Film Art Awards 2022	Best Director	Byun Sung-hyun	Nominated	[24]
		Best Actor	Sol Kyung-gu	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actor	Jo Woo-Jin	Nominated
	31st Buil Film Awards	Best Director	Byun Sung-hyun	Nominated	[25]
		Best Actor	Sol Kyung-gu	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actor	Jo Woo-jin	Nominated
	43rd Blue Dragon Film Awards	Best Film	Kingmaker	Nominated	[26]
		Best Director	Byun Sung-hyun	Nominated
		Best Actor	Sol Kyung-gu	Nominated
		Best Screenplay	Byun Sung-hyun, Kim Min-soo	Nominated
		Best Editing	Kim Sang-beom	Nominated
		Best Cinematography and Lighting	Jo Hyung-rae, Lee Gil-gyu	Nominated
		Best Art Direction	Han Ah-reum	Won
	58th Grand Bell Awards	Best Film	Kingmaker	Nominated	[27][28]
		Best Director	Byun Sung-hyun	Won
		Best Actor	Sol Kyung-gu	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actor	Jo Woo-Jin	Nominated
		Best Screenplay	Byun Sung-hyun, Kim Min-soo	Nominated
		Best Art Direction	Han Ah-reum	Nominated
		Best Lighting	Lee Gil-gyu	Nominated
		Best Costume Design	Jo Hee-ran	Nominated

References

1. Jeong Hyung-hwa (January 26, 2022). "'해적:도깨비깃발' '킹메이커' 개봉, 설연휴 韓영화 흥행 기대↑ [종합]" ['Pirates: Goblin Flag' and 'Kingmaker' release, Korean movie box office expectations for the Lunar New Year's holiday ↑ [General]]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
2. "Kingmaker". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
3. "KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office: Korean films of 2022". KOFIC. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
4. Kim Kyung-hee (February 23, 2022). "'킹메이커' 제24회 이탈리아 우디네 극동영화제 공식 초청!" ['Kingmaker' officially invited to the 24th Italian Far East Film Festival in Udine!]. MBC Entertainment (in Korean). Retrieved February 23, 2022.
5. Song Kyung-won (January 26, 2022). "[리뷰] 세상을 바꾸려면 우선 이겨야 한다 '킹메이커'" [[Review] To change the world, you must first win 'Kingmaker']. Cine21 (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
6. Park Jae-hwan (November 16, 2021). ""사람을 믿지 말고 욕심을 믿으세요!" 설경구 대선도전 '킹메이커" ["Don't trust people, trust your greed!" Seol Kyung-gu's presidential election 'Kingmaker']. KBS Media (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
7. Jeong Hwa (November 22, 2021). "'킹메이커' 설경구 "유재명 출연..천군만마 얻은 기분"" ['Kingmaker' Seol Kyung-gu, "Yoo Jae-myung's appearance.. I feel like I've gained thousands"]. Star News. Naver. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
8. Schwartz, William (March 29, 2019). "[HanCinema's News] Seo Eun-soo Confirmed for "Kingmaker"". HanCinema. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
9. Kim Myung-mi (April 1, 2019). "윤경호 '킹메이커' 출연확정, 설경구-이선균과 호흡 (공식입장)" [Yoon Kyung-ho confirmed to appear in 'Kingmaker', working with Seol Kyung-gu and Lee Seon-gyun (official position)]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
10. Pierce Conran (July 30, 2018). "SUL Kyung-gu & BYUN Sung-hyun Reunite for KINGMAKER: THE FOX OF THE ELECTION". Korean Film Biz Zone. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
11. "Photos + Cast Update] First Reading Stills Added and Cast Updated for the Upcoming Korean Movie "Kingmaker"". HanCinema. March 29, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
12. Jo Ji-young (November 18, 2021). "'불한당'→'킹메이커' 이선균 "지금껏 본 적 없는 시대극 탄생"" ['Rogue' → 'Kingmaker' Lee Seon-gyun "The birth of a historical drama like you've never seen before"]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
13. Jeong Hyung-hwa (December 10, 2021). "'킹메이커' 故김대중 대통령 실화 모티프 공식 발표..전면승부 택했다 [종합]" ['Kingmaker' The late President Dae-Jung Kim's true story motif was officially released.. I chose an all-out game [Comprehensive]]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
14. Kim Ji-won (December 7, 2021). "[공식] 설경구X이선균 '킹메이커', 12월 29일 개봉 확정" [[Official] Seol Kyung-gu X Lee Seon-gyun 'Kingmaker' confirmed for release on December 29th]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
15. Kim Na-yeon (December 17, 2021). "'킹메이커'→'비상선언' 개봉 연기..영화계 불어닥친 한파 [★NEWSing]" ['Kingmaker' → 'Emergency Declaration' release postponed.. Cold wave in the film industry [NEWSing]]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
16. Jeong Hyung-hwa (December 31, 2021). "'킹메이커' 1월26일 개봉..But 영화관 영업시간 제한이 변수" ['Kingmaker' will be released on January 26th..But movie theater business hours are a variable]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
17. Kwak Myeong-dong (February 24, 2022). "'킹메이커', 오늘(24일) IPTV와 OTT! 극장 동시 VOD 서비스 오픈" ['Kingmaker', today (24th) IPTV and OTT! Simultaneous theater VOD service opened]. My Daily (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
18. "KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) Box office: Kingmaker (2022)". KOFIC. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
19. "일별 박스오피스" [Daily box office]. Korean Film Council (in Korean). KOBIS. February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
20. Hyung-hwa Jeong (February 5, 2022). "'해적:도깨비깃발' 10일 연속 1위..100만 눈앞 [★무비차트]" ['Pirates: Goblin Flag' 1st place for 10 days in a row.. 1 million in front of [★Movie Chart]]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
21. "제 58회 백상예술대상" [58 Nominees · Works]. Baeksang Arts Awards (in Korean). April 11, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
22. Ahn Byung-gil (April 11, 2022). "58회 백상예술대상 후보 공개…영광의 주인공은?" [58th Baeksang Arts Awards nominations revealed... Who is the hero of glory?]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
23. Park Seo-yeon (May 6, 2022). "[제58회 백상]'모가디슈' 류승완-'오겜' 대상 영예..이준호X김태리 '2관왕'(종합)" [[58th Baeksang] 'Mogadishu' Ryu Seung-wan - 'Ogem' Grand Prize ... Jun-ho Lee X Tae-ri Kim 'Two Crowns' (Comprehensive)]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
24. "후보자(후보작) 리스트" [Candidate (Nominations) List]. Chunsa Film Festival (in Korean). August 26, 2022. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
25. Nam Yoo-jung (October 6, 2022). "2022 부일영화상, 박해일·탕웨이 '최고의 별'" [2022 Buil Film Awards, Park Hae-il and Tang Wei's 'Best Stars']. Busan Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved October 6, 2022 – via Naver.
26. "43회 청룡영화상 후보 발표, 박찬욱 감독 '헤어질 결심' 13개 부문 최다 노미네이트" [Nominations announced at the 43rd Blue Dragon Film Awards, Director Park Chan-wook's 'Decision to break up' received the most nominations in 13 categories]. KBS Star (in Korean). Naver. November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
27. Park, Jae-hwan (October 12, 2022). "제 58회 대종상 영화제 내달 9일 개최... '헌트' 12개, '헤어질 결심' – '한산' 11개 부분 노미네이트" [The 58th Daejong Film Festival to be held on the 9th of next month... 12 nominations for 'Hunt', 'Decision to break up' – 11 parts for 'Hansan] (in Korean). KBS Media. Retrieved October 12, 2022 – via Naver.
28. Han Hyeon-jeong (December 9, 2022). "'대종상' 작품상은 '헤어질 결심'..박해일·염정아 주연상[종합]" ['Daejongsang' Best Picture is 'Decision to break up'..Park Hae-il · Yeom Jung-ah Best Actor]. Maeil Economy (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved December 9, 2022.

External links

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