The Chaser (2008)
"Chugyeogja" (original title)

Joong-ho is a dirty detective turned pimp in financial trouble as several of his girls have recently disappeared without clearing their debts. While trying to track them down, he finds a ... See full summary »

Director:

Hong-jin Na

Writers:

Won-Chan Hong, Shinho Lee,

Stars:

Yun-seok Kim, Jung-woo Ha, Yeong-hie Seo

6 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Yun-seok Kim	...	Joong-ho Eom
Jung-woo Ha	...	Young-min Jee
Yeong-hie Seo	...	Mi-jin Kim
Yoo-Jeong Kim	...	Eun-ji
In-gi Jeong	...	Detective Lee
Hyo-ju Park	...	Detective Oh
Bon-woong Ko	...	Oh-jot
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Seong-kwang Ha	...	Detective Park
Jong-goo Lee	...	Profiler
Sang-hee Lee
Moo-yeong Yeo	...	Police commissioner

Storyline

Joong-ho is a dirty detective turned pimp in financial trouble as several of his girls have recently disappeared without clearing their debts. While trying to track them down, he finds a clue that the vanished girls were all called up by a same client whom one of his girls is meeting with right now.

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Plot Keywords:

pimp | interrogation | hammer | chisel | disappearance | 

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Genres:

Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

Haut et Court [fr] Official site [jp]

Country:

South Korea

Language:

Korean

Release Date:

14 February 2008 (South Korea)

Also Known As:

The Chaser

Filming Locations:

Seoul, South Korea

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bidangil Pictures, Fine Cut, Hanhwa Venture Capital

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The part where Young-min (Jung-woo Ha) slips as Joong-ho (Yun-seok Kim) chases him in the alley was not scripted. Actor Jung-woo Ha actually did slip on the slippery pavement while shooting, but kept running anyway. Director Hong-jin Na liked that cut so much that he kept it in the final edit.

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Connections

Featured in Visionado obligado: The Chaser (2011)

User Reviews

Gripping Stuff - Loved it.

I wasn't sure about this film and the first ten minutes or so where not very promising, but I persevered as it was shown on BBC Four which has to mean something. Boy was I glad I hung in there. This film gets better and better and in spite of the violence, which was never gratuitous it is one of those films that will stay with me for a very long time. I have never seen a Korean film before but on this evidence it won't be the last. It's a refreshing change to see the back streets of Seoul instead of downtown Los Angeles. The cast is good and the star (a likable ex-rogue cop) turns an excellent performance. If you've got a strong stomach and get the chance, watch it but put the kids to bed first!