NR | 1h 32m | Thriller | 2020
Social networking sites (SNS) have reshaped the way we connect, communicate, and share our lives. In the United States, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X dominate the landscape; they act as digital town squares where people post updates, share photos, and send messages to friends or wider audiences. These sites bring people together but also blur the lines between public and private life, fostering a world of endless possibilities—and potential pitfalls.
South Korea, a leader in technological innovation, takes social media engagement to another level. With an internet penetration rate of 98 percent, outpacing even other hyper-connected nations like Taiwan and Japan, the country stands as a digital powerhouse.
These digital platforms are more than just tools for communication; they’re the threads weaving modern relationships, ideas, and even economies. Yet beneath the convenience and connectivity lies a darker undercurrent.
South Korean techno-thriller “Search Out” delves into this very subject, exploring the double-edged sword of social networking. While these platforms foster connection and creativity, they can also fuel harm, manipulation, and danger. This gripping cautionary tale peels back the glossy surface of SNS culture to expose the darker realities hidden beneath, shedding light on the challenges of living in a hyper-connected world.
The Murky World of Social Media
In the relentlessly competitive atmosphere of South Korea, where young adults are often expected to achieve success early, two men, Joon-hyuk (Kim Sung-cheol) and Sung-min (Lee Si-eon), find themselves falling short of societal expectations. Self-described as “losers,” they wrestle with feelings of inadequacy and unfulfilled dreams.
Joon-hyuk works part-time at a dead-end job as a convenience store clerk, while Sung-min, with aspirations of becoming a police officer, struggles to make headway. Both in their late 20s, they feel trapped in a rut they can’t seem to escape. Despite their frustrations, their bond provides them with a much-needed sense of solidarity.
An Unfolding Digital Mystery
One evening, as Joon-hyuk and Sung-min are chatting on their tenement rooftop, they cross paths with Seo-won (Kim Seo-Yeon), a young woman they know only in passing. Not long after, Seo-won reaches out to Joon-hyuk’s Wish-giver persona, asking for help. Adhering to his strict policy of avoiding personal connections that could expose him, Joon-hyuk reluctantly declines, since they live in the same building.
Tragically, Seo-won is soon found dead in her apartment, an apparent suicide. Though the police quickly deem the case closed, Joon-hyuk and Sung-min have some lingering doubts. Compelled to seek answers, they delve into Seo-won’s life, uncovering unsettling clues, including the sinister digital presence of someone known as “Ereshkigal.”
Entertainment With a Message
One of the standout elements of this film is the natural development of its characters, particularly their relationships. The chemistry between Joon-hyuk, Sung-min, and Noo-ri feels organic, evolving over the course of the film. Initially, Noo-ri is distant and dismissive toward the duo, but as she works with them, her character softens, and she begins to collaborate more as part of a team rather than doing what she is used to—tackling problems alone.Another strength of the film is its ability to entertain as a taut thriller while subtly exploring deeper themes. Beneath the suspense, it serves as a commentary on the potential dangers of oversharing online, as well as the growing sense of social isolation, a timely reflection of the lockdowns of 2020 (when it was released).
Jung Kwak, who not only directed but also wrote the screenplay, expressed his desire to explore how social media can be misused as a tool for harm. He sought to raise awareness of the isolation faced by many young adults and “wanted to dig deep into how social media is misused as an instrument of crime, to raise awareness of social isolation among young adults and to discuss fundamental questions surrounding life and death.”
Through “Search Out,” the director invites the audience to reflect on the human cost of the digital age, where anonymity and connection can easily devolve into something far more sinister.
