NR | 2h 12m | Action, Comedy, Drama | 2023
South Korea is often seen as a modern nation embracing Western-style freedoms, especially in contrast to its communist northern neighbor, North Korea. However, the country’s transition to the stable republic it is today was marked by a turbulent history filled with violence and political upheaval.
One of the more notorious figures in this history is Chun Doo-hwan, who seized power through military coups in 1979 and 1980. Though Chun established a military dictatorship, he was notably less authoritarian than his predecessor Park Chung-hee, reflecting a gradual shift in leadership toward a more open political system.
Directed by Kim Seong-hun (“Tunnel,” “A Hard Day”), “Ransomed,” takes inspiration from real-life events. The film revolves around a daring rescue mission. Its central dynamic begins with a hesitant partnership and brings humor to an otherwise serious narrative. The story highlights a critical moment in South Korea’s political evolution.
In 1986, diplomat Oh Jae-seok (Kim Jong-soo), second secretary at the South Korean embassy in Lebanon, is kidnapped on his way to work by a group of unidentified Islamic extremists. The assailants cover his head with a bag, force him into a car, and he disappears without a trace. As months go by with no news of his whereabouts, those back in South Korea start to fear the worst.
Fast forward to 1987, at the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where Lee Min-jun (Ha Jung-woo), a middle-aged, mid-level secretary, is frustrated after being passed over for a coveted promotion in favor of a younger colleague. Instead of the prestigious embassy post in the West he had hoped for, Min-jun is assigned to the Middle East.
Min-jun soon receives a strange, silent phone call at work. Instead of speaking, the caller taps out a secret code known only to those in the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, identifying himself as the missing Jae-seok. Skeptical colleagues doubt the call’s authenticity. Min-jun’s superiors enlist the help of CIA agent Richard Carter (Burn Gorman), a Middle East expert who agrees to investigate—provided the price is right.
Richard informs the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Jae-seok’s kidnappers are demanding a hefty ransom, insisting the South Korean government must pay. To arrange the ransom drop-off, Min-jun travels to Switzerland to seek the help of a wealthy contact, Hay Shaito (Marcin Dorocinski). Soon after, Min-jun heads to Lebanon, where he faces numerous challenges. There, he meets Kim Pan-su (Ju Ji-hoon), a South Korean-born taxi driver and Vietnam War veteran, who becomes a key figure in Min-jun’s mission.
The film quickly evolves into a buddy-action drama, with Min-jun and Pan-su forming an unlikely partnership. While the genre staples of high-speed pursuits and intense gunfights are present, it’s the exceptional cinematography that elevates these scenes, pulling viewers into the heart of the action. Though I felt most of the sequences felt grounded, a few of them were a little too over the top.
The true appeal of this film lies in the dynamic between the two leads—Min-jun’s rigid, a rule-follower, contrasts sharply with Pan-su’s chaotic, impulsive approach. Despite their initial mutual mistrust, the two are eventually forced to rely on each other to stay alive.
The film delivers plenty of humor amidst the action, particularly in moments when a bitter Min-jun, frustrated by being passed over for a promotion, mischievously sprays pesticide on his rival’s congratulatory flowers when no one’s watching. The banter between Min-jun and Pan-su is sharp and funny as well, with their mismatched personalities creating a natural friction.
Indeed, the dynamic between Min-jun and Pan-su swings back and forth from uneasy cooperation to outright hostility. Fortunately, the chemistry between actors Ha Jung-woo and Ju Ji-hoon makes these shifts both entertaining and convincing.
While I appreciated the overall pacing, some viewers might find the tonal shifts a bit jarring. The film alternates between the grim reality of Jae-seok’s kidnapping and the lighthearted banter in the second act. However, this transition provides a much-needed break from the heavier themes, preventing the movie from becoming too bleak.
While “Ransomed” may not rank among the greatest action films of all time, it’s a well-rounded offering that features high-energy thrills while delivering just enough humor and heart to keep things interesting—and does so with style.
