Hopeless (film)
Hopeless (Korean: 화란; Hanja: 禍亂; RR: Hwaran) is a 2023 South Korean neo-noir thriller film directed by Kim Chang-hoon and starring Hong Xa-bin in his film debut. The film also features Song Joong-ki and Bibi.[2] The film depicts a teenage boy, Yeon-gyu, who while wanting to escape from his hellish reality, meets the middle boss of a local gang, Chi-geon, and ends up in the world of crime. It premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.[3] The film was released theatrically in South Korea on October 11, 2023.[4]
Hopeless | |
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Hangul | 화란 |
Hanja | 禍亂 |
Revised Romanization | Hwaran |
Directed by | Kim Chang-hoon |
Screenplay by | Kim Chang-hoon |
Starring |
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Production companies | |
Distributed by | Megabox Plus M |
Release dates |
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Running time | 133 minutes |
Country | South Korea |
Language | Korean |
Box office | US$966,670[1] |
Premise
Although he never had what he wants in his 18 years life, he still struggles to grasp a hope, Yeon-gyoo is a teenage boy who wants to escape his hometown where violence is commonly enacted among neighbors. He only hopes to have a peaceful life with his mother. However, the world never allows him to have a dream nor hope for life. When Yeon-gyoo needs a hand from grown-ups, Chi-geon, a thug of the town, offers a favor. The simple favor leads Yeon-gyoo to explore the world of Chi-geon. It ironically results Yeon-gyoo gradually falling into Chi-geon's life. Grasping a hope to run away from where he is, he struggles between the border. Can he escape from the town at the end?
Cast
- Hong Xa-bin as Yeon-gyu
- Song Joong-ki as Chi-geon
- Bibi as Hayan
- Jung Jae-kwang as Seung-mu
- Jung Man-sik as the owner of the Chinese restaurant[5]
- Park Bo-kyung as Mo-kyung, Yeon-gyu's mother[6]
- Kim Jong-soo as Joong-beom, the boss of the organization[7]
Release
Hopeless premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival on May 24, 2023. It was also invited to the 28th Busan International Film Festival in 'Korean Cinema Today - Special Premiere' section.[8]
Reception
As of October 14, 2023, the film has grossed US$966,670 at the local box office and accumulated 135,178 admissions from 976 screens.[1]
References
- "Hopeless (2023)". Korean Film Biz Zone. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- Yoo Eun-bi (May 8, 2023). "위태로운 송중기x홍사빈…칸 초청 '화란' 해외 포스터 공개[공식]" [Precarious Song Joong-ki x Hong Sa-bin... Cannes Invitational 'Hwaran' Overseas Poster Released]. SPOTV NEWS (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- "Cannes Film Festival Unveils 2023 Lineup (Updating Live)". The Hollywood Reporter. April 13, 2023.
- Bae Hyo-joo (September 12, 2023). "송중기 첫 칸 진출작 '화란' 10월11일 개봉" [Song Joong-ki's first film at Cannes, 'Hwaran', opens on October 11th.] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
- Kim Bo-young (October 19, 2023). "'화란' 김종수·정재광·박보경·정만식, 짙은 누아르 완성한 신스틸러들" ['Hwaran' Kim Jong-soo, Jeong Jae-gwang, Park Bo-kyung, Jeong Man-sik, scene stealers who completed the dark noir] (in Korean). Edaily. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
- Kim Bo-young (October 19, 2023). "'화란' 김종수·정재광·박보경·정만식, 짙은 누아르 완성한 신스틸러들" ['Hwaran' Kim Jong-soo, Jeong Jae-gwang, Park Bo-kyung, Jeong Man-sik, scene stealers who completed the dark noir] (in Korean). Edaily. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
- Kim Bo-young (October 19, 2023). "'화란' 김종수·정재광·박보경·정만식, 짙은 누아르 완성한 신스틸러들" ['Hwaran' Kim Jong-soo, Jeong Jae-gwang, Park Bo-kyung, Jeong Man-sik, scene stealers who completed the dark noir] (in Korean). Edaily. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
- Kyungmin Ha (August 24, 2023). "Dokjeon 2 Cigarette Girl... Busan International Film Festival, premiere of 9 new domestic and foreign films" [Dokjeon 2 Cigarette Girl... Busan International Film Festival, premiere of 9 new domestic and foreign films]. Newsis (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 24, 2023.