Ballerina (2023 film)

Ballerina (Korean: 발레리나), is a 2023 South Korean action thriller film directed by Lee Chung-hyun and stars Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Ji-hoon and Park Yu-rim in the lead roles.

Ballerina
Promotional poster
Hangul
발레리나
Directed byLee Chung-hyun
Written byLee Chung-hyun
Produced byChoi Ji-young
Starring
Music byGray
Production
company
Climax Studio
Distributed byNetflix
Release dates
  • October 5, 2023 (2023-10-05) (BIFF)
  • October 6, 2023 (2023-10-06) (Netflix)
Running time
93 minutes
CountrySouth Korea
LanguageKorean

The film was premiered at the 28th Busan International Film Festival in the 'Korean Cinema Today – Special Premiere' section on October 5, 2023.[1] Ballerina streamed globally on Netflix from October 6, 2023.[2]

Plot

Jang Ok-ju is a former bodyguard for VIP clients who discovers that her best friend Choi Min-hee has died and her last wish for Ok-ju is that she should finish a sex trafficker named Choi Pro as he had victimized Min-hee by filming her and extorting money due to the video. Ok-ju searches for Choi through his internet profile and finds his address, where she stalks Choi for a while and tricks him into taking her back to the motel where Min-hee was filmed.

Ok-ju fights Choi and brutally injures him at the motel, but Ok-ju is forced to escape as Choi's gang attacks her. Ok-ju and a high school student (who wants to escape from the traffickers) forge a new plan, and Ok-ju reaches out to an old friend to find weapons in order to strategize the best way to attack the gang. Choi’s gang leader orders him to find Ok-ju and bring her to him. Choi tracks down and attacks Ok-ju, who later flees through the window.

Choi reports to the leader that he killed Ok-ju and buried her in the mountains. Ok-ju visits the gang leader and kills him, where she fights with other gangsters until one of them reveals about Choi's location. Ok-ju finds Choi and finally disarms him; she takes Choi to a beach and savagely burns him to death. Ok-ju arrives at Choi’s house and takes away all the videos that contain the filming of the victims, where she drives off into the sunset.

Cast

Special appearances

Production

In April 2022, confirming the production of Ballerina, Netflix announced the cast and crew of the film. Directed by Lee Chung-hyun and produced by Climax Studio, it has Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Ji-hoon, and Park Yu-rim as main cast, while music is composed by Gray.[3] Principal photography commenced in June 2022, and filming was wrapped up in late October in the same year. This film also marks the reunion of Jeon Jong-seo and Kim Ji-hoon after working together in the series Money Heist Korea: Joint Economic Area.[2]

In January 2023 Netflix announced its lineup of Korean upcoming films.[5]

Music

Gray composed the music of the film.[6][7]

Release

The film had its premiere at the 28th Busan International Film Festival in 'Korean Cinema Today – Special Premiere' section on October 5, 2023.[8] It is available for streaming from October 6 on Netflix globally.[9][10]

Reception

Audience response

Ballerina from October 9 to 15 with 14.7 million views and 23.1 million hours of viewing was at 1st place in Global Top 10 weekly list of the most-watched Netflix TV films (Non-English).[11][12]

Critical response

On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes website, the film has an approval rating of 100% based on 9 reviews, with an average rating of 7.1/10.[13]

James Marsh of South China Morning Post rated the film 3/5 and criticized the script but praised the performance of Jeon Jong-seo writing, "While the script offers precious little invention beneath its polished surface, Jeon’s cold-as-ice angel of vengeance is the film’s saving grace". Marsh opined that the director Lee should have explored the depths of Ok-ju's (Jeon Jong-seo) relationship with Min-hee (Park Yu-rim) further, rather than implying that "it was more than just platonic, the film might have been a genuine game-changer." He concluded, "As is, Ballerina is a polished yet disposable slice of ho-hum hokum".[14]

Christine Kinori of TheReviewGeek graded the film 8/10 and wrote, "Overall, Ballerina is an entertaining movie with beautiful shots and outstanding use of colour that enhances the storytelling." Kinori added, "The tension and the well-delivered action scenes will have you rooting for Ok-joo."[15]

Roger Moore of Movie Nation rated the fim 3/4 and wrote, "The set-piece fights are epic, the "clean house" shoot-out is John Woo-sized and hell, this tiny dancer packs a flame thrower."[16] Jonathon Wilson writing in Ready Steady Cut graded the film 3/5 and wrote, "There’s certainly an exciting action movie here, make no mistake about that, but it’ll pass by in a flash and there’s little reason to think about it once it’s over." Wilson added that though the film "boasts great action and a striking aesthetic, but the “style over substance” cliche has rarely been truer than it is here, leaving the overall experience thin and unmemorable."[17] Rohan Naahar of The Indian Express rated the film with 3 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Neon visuals and a thumping soundtrack elevate Netflix's slickly packaged Korean revenge thriller that substitutes plot in favour of pure vibes."[18] Kim Jun-mo reviewing for OhmyNews criticized the direction of the film, writing that though "there are eye-catching mise-en-scenes and momentary sense", but "the power to lead the entire play smoothly leaves something to be desired". Kim concluded, "Ballerina was a work that left a disappointing impression on the growth of a promising Chungmu-ro star who had received attention for her fresh attempts, wild imagination, and unique world view."[19]

References
  1. Ramachandran, Naman (August 24, 2023). "'Parasite' Oscar Winner's Directorial Debut Among Busan's Korean Cinema Today, On Screen Strand Selections". Variety. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  2. Robinson, Jacob (July 18, 2023). "'Ballerina' K-Drama Thriller: Coming to Netflix in October 2023 and What We Know So Far". What’s on Netflix. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  3. Jo Ji-young (April 26, 2022). "[공식] 전종서X김지훈X박유림, 넷플릭스 오리지널 영화 '발레리나'로 뭉친다" [[Official] Jeon Jong-seo X Kim Ji-hoon X Park Yu-rim to unite in Netflix original movie 'Ballerina]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved August 26, 2023 – via Naver.
  4. Kim Seong-hyun (April 26, 2022). "'라이징 스타' 박유림, 넷플릭스 '발레리나' 출연 확정… 전종서와 호흡" ['Rising Star' Park Yu-rim confirmed to appear in Netflix's 'Ballerina'... Jeon Jong-seo and breathing]. YTN (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  5. "Netflix Takes K-Content to New Heights with 2023 Slate" (Press release). Netflix Media Center. January 16, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  6. Jo Ji-young (April 26, 2022). "[공식] 전종서X김지훈X박유림, 넷플릭스 오리지널 영화 '발레리나'로 뭉친다" [[Official] Jeon Jong-seo X Kim Ji-hoon X Park Yu-rim to unite in Netflix original movie Ballerina]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved September 29, 2023 – via Naver.
  7. "그레이, '발레리나' 음악감독 참여 "영화음악 작업 열망有..운명이라 생각"" [Gray participates as music director for 'Ballerina' "I have a desire to work on film music... I think it's fate"]. Herald POP (in Korean). Naver. September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  8. Choi Ji-ye (August 24, 2023). "이충현♥전종서 '발레리나'→아빠 송중기 '화란'…28th 부국제, 韓영화 변곡점 될까 [TEN무비]" [Lee Choong-hyun ♥ Jeon Jong-seo 'Ballerina' → father Song Joong-ki 'Hwaran'... 28th sub-international, will it be an inflection point for Korean films [TEN Movie]]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  9. "Netflix unveils array of K-Dramas ready to enthrall audiences in 2023". The Economic Times. August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  10. Yoon Ki-baek (September 7, 2023). "이충현 연출·전종서 주연 '발레리나', 내달 6일 넷플릭스 공개" [‘Ballerina’, directed by Lee Chung-hyeon and starring Jeon Jong-seo, will be released on Netflix on the 6th of next month.]. Edaily (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  11. "Top 10; Weekly Top 10 lists of the most-watched TV and films". Netflix top 10. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  12. Kim Na-in (October 18, 2023). "전종서 액션 `발레리나` 통했다…`무빙` 인기 이어 글로벌 1위" [Jeon Jong-seo's action 'Ballerina' worked... 1st place globally following popularity of ‘Moving’]. Digital Times (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  13. "Ballerina (2023, Action/Mystery & thriller)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  14. Marsh, James (October 5, 2023). "Review – Netflix movie review: Ballerina – Korean actress Jeon Jong-seo reunites with The Call director to play an assassin in slick and gory thriller". South China Morning Post. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  15. Christine Kinori (October 6, 2023). "Ballerina (2023) Netflix Movie Review – Vigilante justice served flaming hot". The Review Geek. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  16. Roger Moore (October 6, 2023). "Netflixable? Vengeance in Pointe Shoe Pixie Form — "Ballerina"". Movie Nation. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  17. Jonathon Wilson (October 6, 2023). "Ballerina (2023) Review – Brawny And Brainless". Ready Steady Cut. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  18. Rohan Naahar (October 7, 2023). "Ballerina movie review: Bone-crunching action meets breathtaking visuals in Netflix's new Korean action film". The Indian Express. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  19. Kim Jun-mo (October 8, 2023). "충무로 유망주 '몸값' 못했다, 실망스러운 '발레리나'" [Chungmuro's promising star 'didn't earn the ransom', disappointing 'ballerina']. OhmyNews (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
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