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IMDbPro

The Spy Gone North

Original title: Gongjak
  • 20182018
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 2h 17m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
5.2K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
16,925
1,880
Jung-min Hwang in The Spy Gone North (2018)
Trailer 1
Play trailer1:12
1 Video
99+ Photos
DramaThriller
In the mid-1990s, a loyal South Korean secret agent is caught in a political vortex plotted by the ruling classes of North and South Korea.In the mid-1990s, a loyal South Korean secret agent is caught in a political vortex plotted by the ruling classes of North and South Korea.In the mid-1990s, a loyal South Korean secret agent is caught in a political vortex plotted by the ruling classes of North and South Korea.
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
5.2K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
16,925
1,880
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Jong-bin Yoon
    • Writers
      • Sung-hui Kwon
      • Myeong-chan Park(comic)
      • Jong-bin Yoon
    • Stars
      • Jung-min Hwang
      • Lee Sung-min
      • Cho Jin-woong
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Jong-bin Yoon
    • Writers
      • Sung-hui Kwon
      • Myeong-chan Park(comic)
      • Jong-bin Yoon
    • Stars
      • Jung-min Hwang
      • Lee Sung-min
      • Cho Jin-woong
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 26User reviews
    • 40Critic reviews
    • 69Metascore
    • Awards
      • 28 wins & 34 nominations

    Videos1

    The Spy Gone North
    Trailer 1:12
    The Spy Gone North

    Photos260

    Jong-bin Yoon at an event for The Spy Gone North (2018)
    Ju Ji-Hoon at an event for The Spy Gone North (2018)
    Jung-min Hwang at an event for The Spy Gone North (2018)
    The Spy Gone North (2018)
    Jung-min Hwang in The Spy Gone North (2018)
    Jung-min Hwang in The Spy Gone North (2018)
    Jung-min Hwang and Lee Sung-min in The Spy Gone North (2018)
    Jung-min Hwang in The Spy Gone North (2018)
    Jung-min Hwang and Lee Sung-min in The Spy Gone North (2018)
    Jung-min Hwang and Cho Jin-woong in The Spy Gone North (2018)
    The Spy Gone North (2018)
    Jung-min Hwang and Cho Jin-woong in The Spy Gone North (2018)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jung-min Hwang
    Jung-min Hwang
    • Black Venus (Park Seok-young)
    • (as Hwang Jung-min)
    Lee Sung-min
    Lee Sung-min
    • RI Myong-un
    Cho Jin-woong
    Cho Jin-woong
    • Choi Hak-seong
    Ju Ji-Hoon
    Ju Ji-Hoon
    • Jong Mu-taek
    • (as Ji-hun Ju)
    Kim Hong-pa
    Kim Hong-pa
    • Kim Myeong-soo
    Jeong Sori
    • Hong-seol
    • (as Jeong So-ri)
    Ju-bong Gi
    Ju-bong Gi
    • Kim Jong-Il
    Eung-soo Kim
    Eung-soo Kim
    • Department Head Kim
    Yong Chae
    • Hwang Byeong-cheol
    Jin-yeong Park
    • Professor Kim Jang-hyeok
    Seung-ik Baek
    • Security Agent 5
    Ji-Heon Cha
    • Section Chief Jeong's Wife
    Byung Mo Choi
    • National Assembly Member Yoo
    Jung-in Choi
    • Seok-yeong's Wife
    • (as Bo-Kwang Choi)
    Kim Hyeon-Ok
    • Female Real Estate Agency Boss
    • (as Hyun Kim)
    Han Soo Hyun
    Seung-bae Jeong
    • Secretariat Executive
    Joo-hee Jo
    • Jo Myeong-ae
    • Director
      • Jong-bin Yoon
    • Writers
      • Sung-hui Kwon
      • Myeong-chan Park(comic)
      • Jong-bin Yoon
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Taiwan doubled for both North Korea and Beijing in China for some parts of the movie which are set there.
    • Goofs
      When Suk-young Park arrives in Pyongyang for the first time and is driven around the city, he goes past the Mansudae Grand Monument which is large statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. At the time this scene is set it only the statue of Kim Il-sung was there. The statue of Kim Jong-il was erected after his death.
    • Connections
      References Pretty Woman (1990)

    User reviews26

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    There is no monopoly on common sense on either side of the political fence
    Gongjak, internationally known as The Spy Gone North, is a gripping mixture of a drama and a thriller based upon historic events. The movie follows a businessman who works as a South Korean secret agent and who is tasked to infiltrate influential North Korean circles by offering the opportunity to shoot commercials for South Korean products in the remote country. He befriends a North Korean economist who hopes to inspire change in his country. Their friendship is put to a test when South Korean politicians try to influence North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il to attack South Korean civilians in order to influence upcoming elections. The businessman and secret agent overhears the abominable conspiracy and must decide whether he lays low and lets an incredible crime happen or whether he risks his identity and life in order to try to make Kim Jong-Il change his mind.

    The Spy Gone North convinces on numerous levels. First of all, the actors are absolutely outstanding and especially lead characters Hwang Jun-min as seemingly blunt but naive businessman and Lee Sung-min as intelligent and resilient economist deliver marvelous performances. The intriguing story gets more tense, dramatic and complex as the movie progresses and especially the last forty-five minutes will keep you on the edge of your seat. The settings are remarkable as the movie takes place in the People's Republic of China, Republic of Korea and Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The crew was obviously not allowed to shoot on location in North Korea and recreated those settings in Taiwan but they still look impressively realistic on screen. One has to applaud the fact that the movie avoids spreading propaganda. The South Koreans are depicted as negatively and at times even worse than North Koreans. Kim Jong-Il is shown as eccentric and socially awkward but also diplomatic and intelligent leader which is a rare perspective. Anyone interested in Korean culture, history and society will particularly admire this movie.

    In the end, The Spy Gone North is a tense mixture of a drama and thriller partially based upon historic events. The film's perspective is surprisingly balanced and thought-provoking for anyone interested in Korean culture, history and society. The outstanding acting performances make an already great movie an excellent one which is highly recommended.
    helpful•15
    1
    • kluseba
    • Aug 22, 2019

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 17, 2018 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • South Korea
    • Official sites
      • Official Site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Languages
      • Korean
      • Mandarin
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Black Venus
    • Filming locations
      • Taiwan
    • Production companies
      • CJ E&M Film Financing & Investment Entertainment & Comics
      • CJ Entertainment
      • InfinityOne Comics Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • ₩19,000,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $500,803
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $43,348
      • Aug 12, 2018
    • Gross worldwide
      • $38,844,509
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 17 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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