Yeom-lyeok (2018)

After drinking water from a mountain spring, a bank security guard gains telekinetic superpowers, which he must use to save his estranged daughter from an evil construction company, as a superhero.

Director:

Sang-ho Yeon

Writer:

Sang-ho Yeon

Stars:

Seung-ryong Ryu, Eun-kyung Shim, Jung-min Park

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Seung-ryong Ryu	...	Seok-heon
Eun-kyung Shim	...	Roo-mi
Jung-min Park	...	Kim Jeong-hyeon
Yu-mi Jung	...	Hong Sang-moo
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Yeong-gi Jeong
Do-yoon Kim
Min-Jae Kim	...	Min
Yeong-Seon Kim	...	Roo-mi's mom
Hang-ho Tae
Soo-jung Ye	...	Mr. Jeong's sister
Hwang Yeon-hee

Storyline

Seok-heon, a bank security guard, gains superpowers one day after drinking water from a mountain spring affected by a meteor. He then sets out to protect his estranged daughter Roo-mi and her neighborhood from a construction company controlled by the mafia, using his recently-arrived superpower: the power of psychokinesis, and in the process becomes a superhero.

---

Plot Keywords:

father daughter relationship | telekinesis | supernatural power | death of mother | meteor | 

---

Taglines:

From the Director of TRAIN TO BUSAN

---

Genres:

Action | Comedy | Fantasy

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Seung-ryong Ryu and Eun-kyung Shim previously starred in Seoul Station (2016), which was also directed by Sang-ho Yeon.

---

Quotes

Seok-hyeon: I didn't buy these.

---

Crazy Credits

The title card is also shown at the end of the rolling title credits.

---

Alternate Versions

Apart from 2D, the film was also released in ScreenX format.

User Reviews

Simple, yet, witty.

This is my very first review, so let me introduce myself.

I am half Korean, half Japanese, raised in an English speaking country of all places. I'm a self proclaimed movie maniac who enjoys movies as they are.

Alright, let's move on.

When I heard about this movie and saw the trailer, this reminded me titles like Hancock and Inuyashiki. Perhaps some of you reading this may thought of that too.

Are they similar? I'd say yes, but it takes a surprising fresh take.

The premise of the film is quite ridiculous and the film well knowingly understands it's own ridiculousness. But that is the very charm of the film, it doesn't try to hide it. It's very down-to-the-earth witty in it's own terms. The story is quite simple and cliche, in terms of International standards, heck even in Korea cinema, it's been done before, minus the hero elements. But it's the simplicity of using social issues in Korea that creates the working story. If you have watched the film ''Holiday'', you'd find some similarities that point towards power abuse in the growing economic power in Asia, where weak minorities are given no slack and are simply pushed around like slaves. It's something that as a Korean viewer can easily relate to, which makes the simple story very human. Unlike films like Avengers or Hancock, where the issues are caused by ''inhuman'' plots. Not to take jabs at those movie though, I loved the latest film.

Despite the somewhat dark undertone, it doesn't focus on that as some sort of political statement, but rather a crude satire. The film really doesn't hold back on it's comedy aspects, which a lot of Korean movies are known for. If you enjoy the subtle humor in Korean films, you'll enjoy this one too. I personally laughed quite a bit.

The characters also felt very human, except for one... very quirky business woman. Acting was quite good too and the relationship between the father and daughter was also very well portrayed. Under circumstances, the father left when the heroine was very young and when he did happen to return, there was nothing but awkward tension. It was quite realistic. Though there wasn't much progression in character development between the two, but the story of the film only takes place in a matter of days, so it actually makes sense. Wouldn't expect something like that to be resolved in such a short time. The characters showed doubt, despite everything happening, but slowly tried to understand each other.

Though to note that this is no typical Superhero movie. I'd say that this takes one step less than Hancock did (who eventually did ''charity'' work). The main character is an ordinary middle-aged man, who sucks at is own job and steals toiletries. And despite his newfound powers, he did nothing in sort of using it for good. I'd say he caused more damage than good. Even when it appears he is trying to save ''people'', he is only there to save his daughter. He probably wouldn't have done anything with his powers if his daughter wasn't in any danger. This doesn't really change throughout the whole movie. But that goes back to the previously mentioned point about the film being ''human''. The motives are very simple, everyone is kinda moving for a single cause, or simply for their own gains. I think that this is a unique charm in Korean cinema and it works really well in this film as well. As for the villains... well they are quite simply... silly. Over the top acting, slap stick material goofs. Another charm of Korean films. Some people may find uninteresting, but if you love funny villains, this ones great in that front. Also the very unique business woman, only a minor character, but a highlight. A very sane, but a very insane sociopath. Sort of like a female Tony Stark, if only Stark was a villain.

Overall this was a very enjoyable movie with no downtime. It got straight to the point and didn't really waste that much time. Except it doesn't really get much done by the end of the film? The story is just so simple that it's just a point of time in life, you win some and lose some, then move on. There are no winners, there are no losers. In that premise, it's quite like ''Fly Daddy Fly'', another Korean cinema classic.

If you have some free time and have a Netflix sub, I recommend this a definite watch.

I give this a solid 7.5/10.

Sorry if this ''review'' of mine is a complete mess, it is my first one... anyways enjoy!

Details

Official Sites:

Official Netflix Site Official ScreenX Site

Country:

South Korea

Language:

Korean

Release Date:

25 April 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

Yeom-lyeok

Filming Locations:

Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, South Korea

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,981,970

Company Credits

Production Co:

Movic Comics, Next Entertainment World, RedPeter Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1