Phantom (2023 film)

This article is about the film. For the Russian drama series, see Phantom (Russian TV series). For the South Korean TV series, see Phantom (South Korean TV series).

Phantom (Korean: 유령; Hanja: 幽靈; RR: Yuryeong) is a 2023 South Korean period spy action thriller film based on Mai Jia's 2007 novel, Feng Sheng.^[2] It was directed by Lee Hae-young, starring Sul Kyung-gu, Lee Hanee, Park So-dam, Park Hae-soo, and Seo Hyun-woo.^[3] The film was released theatrically on January 18, 2023.^[4]

Phantom
Theatrical release poster
Hangul	유령
Hanja	幽靈
Revised Romanization	Yuryeong
Directed by	Lee Hae-young
Screenplay by	Lee Hae-young
Based on	Sound of the Wind by Mai Jia
Starring	Sul Kyung-gu Lee Hanee Park So-dam Park Hae-soo Seo Hyun-woo
Edited by	Yang Jin-mo
Music by	Dalpalan
Production company	The Lamp
Distributed by	CJ Entertainment
Release date	January 18, 2023 (2023-01-18)
Running time	133 minutes
Country	South Korea
Languages	Korean Japanese
Box office	US$5.2 million[1]

Synopsis

In 1933, during the Japanese colonization of Korea, the story begins with an underground anti-Japanese organization's failed attempt to assassinate the new Japanese resident-general on his first day in Seoul. The Japanese colonial government gathers five suspects in a remote hotel on a seaside cliff to hunt down "phantom," a spy planted by an anti-Japanese organization in Gyeongseong, within a day. Caught up in the game of life and under close scrutiny by the Japanese authorities, the suspects snoop around the rooms and search others' belongings to clear their suspicions.

Cast

Main

• Sul Kyung-gu as Murayama Junji

A Japanese police officer who used to be a soldier, but was deposed from the Police Department and dispatched as a communication officer and supervisor within the Government-General.

• Lee Hanee as Park Cha-kyung

An employee of the communication department that records cryptograms.

• Park So-dam as Yuriko

A powerful figure in the Joseon government-general, who became the direct secretary of the general political affairs chief even though she is a Korean.

• Park Hae-soo as Takahara Kaito

The captain who directs the entrapment investigation to find the spy within the Governor-General.

• Seo Hyun-woo as Cheon Gye-jang

A timid character with sharp deciphering skills as a communication and code cracker.

Supporting

• Kim Dong-hee as Baek-Ho

A young employee who works in the communication department with Park Cha-kyung.

• Esom as Nan-yeong^[5]

Another spy who is active as a member of the anti-Japanese organization Black Corps.

Special appearance

• Kim Jong-soo as a projectionist at the Golden Hall theater^[6]
• Lee Joo-young a ticket office worker^[6]
• Kim Joong-hee as Tadashi^[6]
• Kim Hyeong-seo as a new secretary of the Chief of Government Affairs^[6]

Production

Principal photography began on January 4, 2021^[7] and ended on May 21.^[8]

Release and reception

The film was released on January 18, 2023 on 1099 screens.^[1] The opening recorded 41,499 admissions.^[9]

As of July 18, 2023^[update], with gross of US$5,188,615 and 664,146 admissions, it is the sixth highest-grossing Korean film of 2023.^[1]

Awards and nominations

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

Award ceremony	Year	Category	Nominee	Result	Ref.
Buil Film Awards	2023	Best Music	Dalpalan	Won
		Art/technical award	Kim Bo-muk	Nominated
Grand Bell Awards	2023	Best Music	Dalpalan	Won
		Best Art Direction	Kim Bo-muk	Nominated
		Best Visual Effects	Heo Myung-haeng	Nominated
		Best Costume Design	Ham Hyun-joo	Nominated