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Seo Bok

Seo Bok
Promotional poster
Hangul
서복
Hanja
徐福
Revised RomanizationSeobok
Directed byLee Yong-ju
Screenplay byLee Yong-ju
Starring
CinematographyLee Mo-gae
Edited byKim Sang-bum
Music byJo Yeong-wook
Production
companies
Studio 101
CJ Entertainment
Distributed byCJ Entertainment
Release date
  • April 15, 2021 (2021-04-15)[1]
Running time
114 minutes
CountrySouth Korea
LanguageKorean
Budget₩16.5 billion[2]
Box officeUS$6.8 million[3][4]

Seo Bok (Korean: 서복; Hanja: 徐福; RR: Seobok) is a 2021 South Korean sci-fi action film directed by Lee Yong-ju and starring Gong Yoo and Park Bo-gum.[5] The film revolves around a former intelligence agent Gi-heon (Gong Yoo), who gets involved with the first human clone, Seo Bok (Park Bo-gum).[6][7] Principal photography began in May 2019.[8] The film with a production cost of ₩16.5 billion[2] was anticipated to release in December 2020[9][10] but its release was postponed due to the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic.[11] Finally the film was released simultaneously in theatres and via streaming media TVING on April 15, 2021.[1] In Vietnam, this film premiered exclusively on iQiyi on April 22, 2021.[12]

Synopsis

Min Gi-heon (Gong Yoo) is an ex-agent of the intelligence agency, and Seo Bok (Park Bo-gum) is the first human clone created through stem cell cloning and genetic engineering. He possesses the secret for eternal life. They get entangled in dangerous situations as several forces want to take control of Seo Bok.[13]

Cast

  • Gong Yoo as Min Gi-heon, a former intelligence agent who is tasked with ensuring the safe transportation of Seo Bok
  • Park Bo-gum[14] as Seo Bok, the first human clone
  • Jo Woo-jin as Chief Ahn, an agent of the Korea Intelligence Agency
  • Park Byung-eun as Shin Hak-seon
  • Jang Young-nam as Dr. Im Se-eun, director of the Institute
  • Kim Jae-keon as Kim Cheon-oh
  • Yeon Je-wook
  • Kim Hong-pa
  • Lee Eon-jung as Yoon Hyun-soo

Production

Development

The project was conceived in January 2017. Director Lee Yong-ju wrote the screenplay.[14]

Casting

The film was announced with Park Bo-gum in the role of Seo Bok,[6] which was confirmed in March 2019.[14] In October 2018, Gong Yoo was confirmed to appear in the role of an intelligence agency agent.[15] In April 2019, Jang Young-nam, Jo Woo-jin and Park Byung-eun were cast in supporting roles. Art director Lee Ha-jun joined the group in June 2019.[16] The net production cost was about 16 billion won.[17]

Filming

Principal photography began in May 2019,[18][19] the filming took place mainly at the Jeonju film studio located in Jeonju. Location filming took place from mid-June to early August 2019 in Tongyeong. The film was wrapped up in October 2019 after nearly six months of filming.[20]

Release

On October 21, 2020, distributor CJ Entertainment announced the film will be released in December, 2020.[21] A first look at the film was released on October 23, 2020. [22] A new poster of the film was released on November 9, 2020.[23] The film was released theatrically and via streaming media TVING on April 15, 2021.[1] According to the Korean film industry it is the first time that a Korean big budget film will be released at the same time in the theaters and Over-the-top media service.[24]

The film was also selected for premiere at Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival 2021 held on April 6 to April 18, 2021.[25][26]

Seo Bok was invited to Fantasia International Film Festival to screen the film. The three-week festival was held from August 5 to 25, 2021 in Montreal. The film was screened in the Canadian Premiere section on demand.[27]

Reception

Box office

The film was released on April 15, 2021 on 1382 screens. It was the number 1 place at the Korean box office, on the opening day of its release, collecting 45,155 audiences.[28] It remained at the number 1 place at the Korean box office, on the second day of its release, as 36,183 audiences viewed the film. It also took the total commutative audience to 82,895 persons. The decrease in the number of audience from 1st day was attributed to the simultaneous release on streaming media TVING.[29] The film maintained its number 1 rank at Korean box office after 3rd day of its release.[30] It was number 1 at the end of the opening weekend at South Korean box office with 210,210 cumulative admissions.[31]

According to Korean Film Council data†, it is in 13th place among all the Korean films released in the year 2021, with a gross of US$3.28 million and 385,409 admissions, as of December 11, 2021.[32]

  • †The system of KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) is managed by KOFIC.

Critical response

Going by Korean review aggregator Naver Movie Database, the film holds an approval rating of 8.42 from the audience.[33]

Kim Seong-Hyun reviewing the film for YTN wrote that the predominant question asked by the characters in the film was about life and death. Seong-Hyun felt that the action in the film was unsatisfactory, but that did not reflect on the performance of the star cast. Concluding the review Seong-Hyun said, "It is difficult to erase the thought that the actors' performance is somewhat regrettable to contain a long and repetitive message."[34]

James Marsh writing for South China Morning Post rated the film with two out of five stars and called it a "... quasi-philosophical melodrama masquerading as a futuristic action thriller". He opined that director Lee Yong-ju in spite of putting all hi-tech thrills and setting a stage for good brainy cinema, could not make it happen. He found the film slow and lengthy and felt that the "violent, effects-heavy climax" was tardy to be enjoyable. Concluding the review Marsh wrote, "Inevitably it is the all-too-familiar themes of mortality, family and corporate malfeasance that permeate to the surface as Lee defiantly steers his film headlong into a quagmire of ponderous, poorly articulated existential nonsense."[35]

Bryan Tan writing for Yahoo! News rated the film with two and a half stars out of five. Praising the performance of Park Bo-gum, he wrote, "Seeing Park Bo Gum's compelling acting on the silver screen again really warmed the cockles of my heart." Tan concluded the review, "the over-the-top psychic CGI displays really got in the way of the bigger questions of how the first ever human clone should find his place in the world, without everyone trying to siphon his DNA for everlasting life."[36]

Jeanmarie Tan writing for The New Paper rated the film with three stars out of five. She opined that the film touched on the question of philosophical and ethical immortality superficially. Praising the performances of Park Bo-gum and Gong Yoo, she wrote that Park was effortless in switching countenance from childlike innocence to bestial rage. Concluding her writing up Tan penned, "Watching Seobok, a superbeing with powers of telekinesis, go all Dark Phoenix on his enemies is right up there with any X-Men movie."[37]

References

  1. ^ a b c Mane, Anwaya (March 4, 2021). "Park Bo Gum & Gong Yoo starrer Seo Bok to release on April 15 via theatres and OTT platform TVing". Pinkvilla. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Kim, Jae-hee (March 4, 2021). "영화 '서복' 내달 15일 극장-온라인 동시 개봉" [The movie 'Seobok' will be released simultaneously at the theater-online on]. The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  3. ^ "Seobok (2021)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  4. ^ "KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office for Seo Bok (2021)". KOFIC. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  5. ^ "[Photos] New Posters Added for the Upcoming Korean Movie "SEOBOK"". HanCinema. October 21, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Park Hyun-taek (January 6, 2017). "[단독] 박보검 복제인간 된다…영화 '서복'으로 스크린 컴백" [[Exclusive] Park Bo-gum becomes a clone... Screen comeback with the movie'Seobok']. Sports Chusan. Naver. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  7. ^ Schwartz, William. "SEOBOK". HanCinema.
  8. ^ Kang Hye-ran, Na Won-jung (December 31, 2019). "우주선‧복제인간…2020 한국영화, 더 대담한 상상력이 온다" [Spaceships and clones... 2020 Korean cinema, bolder imagination comes]. Naver. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  9. ^ Yim, Seung-hye (October 21, 2020). "Seo Bok big-screen release set for Dec. 2". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  10. ^ Lee, Gyu-lee (October 21, 2020). "Gong Yoo and Park Bo-gum's 'Seo Bok' to release in December". Korean Times.
  11. ^ "Blockbusters 'Seo Bok,' 'Life Is Beautiful' premieres postpone due to COVID-19". koreatimes. December 8, 2020.
  12. ^ "Seobok - Người Nhân Bản". iQiyi Vietnam. April 15, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  13. ^ Tamondong, Hanna. "Everything You Need To Know About Gong Yoo And Park Bo Gum's Sci-Fi Film, 'Seo Bok'". Cosmopolitan.
  14. ^ a b c Lim, Chang-won (March 4, 2019). "Actor Park Bo-gum back with action thriller 'Seo Bok'". Aju Daily. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  15. ^ Kim Soo-jeong (October 11, 2018). "공유 '서복' 출연 확정…'도깨비' 이후 2년만의 차기작" [Gong Yoo 'Seobok' appearance confirmed... Next work in 2 years after 'Goblin']. TV Reporter. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  16. ^ Jang, Jung-Yup (June 12, 2019). "[<기생충> 제작기④] 이하준 미술감독, "계단과의 사투… 공간과 배우에 맞게 고민을 거듭하며 만들었다"" [[<Parasite> Production Period④] Art Director Lee Ha-joon, “The struggle with the stairs… I made it after thinking over and over to fit the space and the actors.”]. Cine21.
  17. ^ Na, Won-jung(나원정) (December 31, 2019). "우주선‧복제인간…2020 한국영화, 더 대담한 상상력이 온다" [Spaceships, clones... 2020 Korean movies, more daring imagination is coming]. Chung-Ang Il-bo.
  18. ^ Kwon Nam-young (April 3, 2019). "공유x박보검x조우진 특급 캐스팅… '서복' 5월 촬영 시작" [Gong Yoo x Park Bo Gum x Jo Woo Jin Special Casting... 'Seobok' started shooting in May]. NAVER. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  19. ^ Somi Kim (August 20, 2019). "<변신> 장영남 – 늘 새로운 자극을 기다린다" [<Transformation> Youngnam Jang-Always waiting for new stimulation]. Cine21. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  20. ^ Shin Jung-cheol (June 17, 2019). "복제인간 영화 '서복', 19일부터 통영시 일원에서 촬영" [The cloned human movie 'Seobok' was filmed in Tongyeong City from the 19th]. Newsis. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  21. ^ Kang Min-kyung (October 21, 2020). "공유X박보검 '서복', 12월 개봉 확정..亞 전역 뜨거운 관심 [공식]" [Gong Yoo X Park Bo-gum 'Seobok' confirmed to be released in December..亞 Hot interest in the whole world [Official]]. Star News. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  22. ^ "Seo Bok: Park Bo Gum questions why Gong Yoo is trying to protect him in the sci fi film's gripping trailer". Pink villa. October 24, 2020. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  23. ^ "Seo Bok New Poster: Gong Yoo and Park Bo Gum's first meet promises to be a special 'end of the world' journey". Pink villa. November 9, 2020. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  24. ^ Kim Ji-eun (March 6, 2021). "[초점]'서복'이 쏘아올린 팬데믹 실험…영화계 판도 바꿀까" [[Focus] A pandemic experiment launched by'Seobok'... Shall we change the movie industry?]. Newsis (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  25. ^ Conran, Pierce (April 2, 2021). "Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival Selects 8 Korean Films". KOFIC. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  26. ^ "SEOBOK". BIFFF. April 2, 2021. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  27. ^ "Canadian Premiere, Selection 2021, Collectors". Fantasia Festival. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  28. ^ Paik Eun-young (April 16, 2021). "공유·박보검 통했나?…'서복' 박스오피스 1위 출발" [Did Gong-gong·Park Bo-gum work?... First place in 'Seobok' box office starts]. TV Chosun (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  29. ^ Kim Bora (April 17, 2021). "'서복' 상영 이틀째 1위…티빙 공개 영향 받아 관객수 저조[美친box]" [First place on the second day of'Seobok' screening... The number of audiences is low due to the influence of teabing disclosure]. Osen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  30. ^ Lee Su-ji (April 18, 2021). "'서복' 개봉 3일째 1위...만화 영화 코난·귀멸의 칼날 2·3위" ['Seobok' ranked 1st on the 3rd day of release...Cartoon movie Conan, Blade of Demon Extinction 2nd and 3rd]. Newsis (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  31. ^ Kim Na-ra (April 19, 2021). "공유X박보검 '서복', 개봉 첫 주 박스오피스 1위 '누적 21만↑ 동원' [공식]" [Share X Park Bo-gum 'Seobok', 1st place in the box office in the first week of release'Cumulative 210,000↑ mobilization' [Official]]. My Daily (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  32. ^ "KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) Korean films of Year 2021". KOFIC. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  33. ^ "서복, Seobok". Naver 영화. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  34. ^ Kim, Seong-Hyun (April 14, 2021). "[Y리뷰] '서복', 공유와 박보검의 열연만으로는 아까운 부유함" [[Y Review]'Seobok', Gong-Gong and Park Bo-gum's passion alone is a waste of wealth]. YTN (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  35. ^ Marsh, James (April 14, 2021). "Review :Seobok movie review: Gong Yoo, Park Bo-gum in Korean sci-fi thriller that plays like a rambling, quasi-philosophical road". South China Morning Post. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  36. ^ Tan, Bryan (April 14, 2021). "Seo Bok review: Park Bo Gum is a violent psychic in his latest sci-fi thriller". Yahoo! News. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  37. ^ Tan, Jeanmarie (April 16, 2021). "Movie review: Seobok". The New Paper. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
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