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Hard Hit

Original title: Balsinjehan
  • 20212021
  • TV-14TV-14
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
1.9K
YOUR RATING
Hard Hit (2021)
Sung-Kyu (Jo Woo-Jin) works as a manager at a bank branch. he sets off to drive his kids to school and then go to work, but he receives a phone call without a caller ID. The caller tells him "when you get out the car, a bomb will explode."
Play trailer1:53
1 Video
26 Photos
ActionCrimeDrama
An ordinary family navigates the unpredictable circumstances caused by a mysterious phone call that puts them in a horrific situation.An ordinary family navigates the unpredictable circumstances caused by a mysterious phone call that puts them in a horrific situation.An ordinary family navigates the unpredictable circumstances caused by a mysterious phone call that puts them in a horrific situation.
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
1.9K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Changju Kim
  • Writers
    • Changju Kim
    • Alberto Marini(adapted from a screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Ji Chang-Wook
    • Haerry Kim
    • Ji-ho Kim
  • Director
    • Changju Kim
  • Writers
    • Changju Kim
    • Alberto Marini(adapted from a screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Ji Chang-Wook
    • Haerry Kim
    • Ji-ho Kim
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 24User reviews
    • 21Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:53
    Watch Trailer

    Photos26

    Hard Hit (2021)
    Hard Hit (2021)
    Hard Hit (2021)
    Hard Hit (2021)
    Hard Hit (2021)
    Hard Hit (2021)
    Hard Hit (2021)
    Hard Hit (2021)
    Hard Hit (2021)
    Hard Hit (2021)
    Hard Hit (2021)
    Hard Hit (2021)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ji Chang-Wook
    Ji Chang-Wook
    • Jin Woo
    Haerry Kim
    Haerry Kim
    • TV reporter
    Ji-ho Kim
    • Yeon Soo
    Jin Kyung
    Jin Kyung
    • Ban
    Jae-in Lee
    • Hye In
    Seung-su Ryu
    Seung-su Ryu
    • Police chief
    Jun Suk-ho
    Jun Suk-ho
    Jo Woo-jin
    Jo Woo-jin
    • Sung Gyu
    • Director
      • Changju Kim
    • Writers
      • Changju Kim
      • Alberto Marini(adapted from a screenplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      This Korean thriller is a remake of the Spanish film Retribution (2015) with Luis Tosar in the lead role and directed by Dani de la Torre. According to the director's statement in The Korean Herald, it should be similar to the original film with special settings that fit Korean circumstances. The same story was filmed once again in Germany as Don't. Get. Out! (2018). An American remake of the Spanish original titled as Retribution (2023) with Liam Neeson in the lead role is also planned.
    • Connections
      Remake of Retribution (2015)

    User reviews24

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    90-minute thrillride
    The main character in "Hard Hit" is taking the kids to school one morning - a boy and a girl - when he gets a restricted call. The unknown caller informs him that a bomb has been placed under his seat. It will explode if he leaves the car.

    This is all you need for 90+ minutes of frantic action, I guess, and the unknown caller soon supplies a demand and an explosive argument for making our hero do just like Toto. That is hold the line.

    The reliable supporting actor Jo Woo-jin tackles his first lead role playing an ordinary bank employee who gets pinned behind the wheel. His rapport with Lee Jae-in, playing his daughter, provides a human element in all the frenzy. He's understandably desperate. I mean, I would be too, if I had to handle at least two phone calls simultaneously while at the same time calm the kids down and actually drive the car.

    It's a saddening reminder of COVID-era realities, by the way, to see beaches and intercity highways in Busan all but deserted with no CGI enhancements needed.

    The movie is a remake of an excellent Spanish thriller, "El Desconocido" (2015), starring Luis Tosar in one of his best roles. The Korean version follows the original unusually closely, to such an extent that all they've really done is to translate it to the Korean idiom. And both movies surely owe something to "Speed" (1994) and Dennis Hopper's scheme as the bad guy.

    Anyway. The movie keeps the pace up, and it never feels as if the entire plot actually takes place inside or in the immediate vicinity of the hero's car. The unknown caller is online most of the time (those familiar to K-movies and K-dramas will undoubtedly recognize the voice right away), and the Koreans do love their phones and gadgets.

    The flow may get a little lost with subtitles, I imagine, but this movie worked for me, built around its ingenious plot. So fasten the seatbelt. Or then again, thinking of the unfortunate hero, maybe better not.

    PS: The Korean title refers to a "Restricted Call" as opposed to the meaningless English title, and in everday slang, it's also known as a "black call". Shouldn't miss a chance to show off...
    helpful•5
    4
    • toskomst
    • Jul 23, 2021

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 23, 2021 (South Korea)
    • Country of origin
      • South Korea
    • Language
      • Korean
    • Also known as
      • Restricted Call
    • Production company
      • CJ Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross worldwide
      • $116,184
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 34 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39:1

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