The Point Men (2023 film)

The Point Men
Theatrical release poster
Hangul
교섭
Hanja
交涉
Revised RomanizationGyoseob
Directed byYim Soon-rye
Screenplay byAhn Yeong-su
Produced by
  • Shin Bum-Soo
  • Nam Jeong-il
StarringHwang Jung-min
Hyun Bin
Kang Ki-young
Edited byKim Sun-min
Music byJeong Hyeon-su
Production
companies
  • Watermelon Pictures Co.
  • One Take Film
Distributed byMegabox Plus M
Release date
  • January 18, 2023 (2023-01-18)
CountrySouth Korea
LanguageKorean
Box officeUS$13.5 million[1]

The Point Men (Korean: 교섭; Hanja: 交涉; RR: Gyoseob; lit. Bargaining) is a 2023 South Korean action thriller film directed by Yim Soon-rye and starring Hwang Jung-min and Hyun Bin.[2][3] The film is based on the 2007 South Korean hostage crisis in Afghanistan and the subsequent rescue mission.[4] [5] It was released on January 18, 2023, in South Korea and screened in Dolby Atmos.[6]

Premise

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A story about a diplomat and a National Intelligence Service (NIS) agent who struggle and risk their lives on foreign soil to save Korean hostages that have been abducted in Afghanistan. The film is based on true events of 2007 South Korean hostage crisis in Afghanistan, when 23 South Korean missionaries were captured and held hostage in Afghanistan. Hyun Bin playing a NIS agent conducts a rescue operation and negotiations with the help of diplomat played by Hwang Jung-min.

Cast

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Production

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The film inspired by a true story of 23 South Korean Christian volunteers taken hostage by Taliban militants in Afghanistan in 2007, was to commence its filming in late March 2020, in Jordan, but due to the COVID-19 outbreak the shooting was postponed.[12] After normalisation principal photography began in late April 2020. The actors and production team flew in July for Jordan schedule of filming.[citation needed] The shooting at Jordan was wrapped up in September 2020.[13]

Release

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The film was originally slated to be released in September 2022, but was postponed due to aftermath of COVID-19 and busy schedule of lead actors.[14] In December 2022, with the release of trailer the theatrical release date of the film was announced for January 18, 2023.[15] After the domestic release, the film is slated to release in North America on January 27, in Hong Kong and Macau on February 2, in Taiwan on February 3, in Philippines on February 8, in Cambodia on March 3, and in Thailand on March 23.[16] The film was released in select theaters in the United States and Canada on January 27, 2023, by 815 Pictures.[17]

Reception

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Box office

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The film was released on January 18, 2023, on 1289 screens.[18][1] It opened at 1st place at the Korean box office with 104,798 admissions.[19][20] The film topped the weekly collection on Korean box office for the week January 16 ~ 22 by collecting US$5,478,201 and 659,022 viewers.[21] The film surpassed 1 million viewers in 7 days of its release. It recorded 1,023,232 cumulative audience on January 24.[22]

As of February 22, 2023, with gross of US$13,471,119 and 1,721,111 admissions, it is the second highest-grossing Korean film of 2023.[1][18]

Critical response

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Lee Da-won of Cine21 reviewing the film praised the performances of Hwang Jung-min and Hyun Bin, writing, "Thanks to the stable breathing of the two people, the attraction of the movie increases even more." Lee opined that though director Im Soon-rye's narration is "as expected neat and clear", but "the lack of catharsis in the 'narrative of defeating evil and rescuing the weak' is a major weakness that does not ensure the success of the film".[23] Han Hyeon-jeong reviewing for Maeil Economy wrote that "there is little catharsis even in the more perfect coordination of the two perfect protagonists." Han liked the climax and Kang Ki-young's energy but felt film was "insipid". In conclusion, she wrote that "I don't think I'd like to recommend it to someone or experience it again."[24]

Awards and nominations

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Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
Baeksang Arts Awards 2023 Best Supporting Actor – Film Kang Ki-young Nominated [25][26]
Buil Film Awards 2023 Best Director Yim Soon-rye Nominated [27]
Best Supporting Actor Kang Ki-young Nominated
Monterrey International Film Festival 2023 Achievement Award Yim Soon-rye Won [28]
Grand Bell Awards 2023 Best Director Pending [29]
Best Supporting Actor Kang Ki-young Pending

References

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  1. ^ a b c "KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office: Korean films of 2023". KOFIC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  2. ^ "After "Crash Landing on You", Huyn Bin hits big screen with "Bargaining"". JTBC Plus. February 21, 2020. Archived from the original on February 25, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  3. ^ Schwartz, William (February 21, 2020). "[HanCinema's News] Hyun Bin Confirmed for "Bargaining"". HanCinema.
  4. ^ "Hyun Bin and Hwang Jung Min head to Jordan to shoot for Bargaining; Will adhere to local quarantine procedures". Pink villa. July 13, 2020. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  5. ^ Schwartz, William. "Bargaining Movie (2020)". HanCinema.
  6. ^ Kang Min-kyung (January 10, 2022). "황정민·현빈의 긴박한 '교섭'…돌비 애트모스로 완성된 리얼함" [Hwang Jung-min and Hyun Bin's urgent 'negotiation'... Realism with Dolby Atmos]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  7. ^ GRACE TABANERA, LILY (July 14, 2020). "New Action Film "Bargaining" To Star Hyun Bin And Hwang Jung Min". One Music. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  8. ^ GRACE TABANERA, LILY (February 21, 2020). "'Crash Landing On You' Star Hyun Bin Is Working On A New *Action* Film". Cosmo. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  9. ^ Kim Ji-hye (December 7, 2022). "최악의 피랍 사건"…황정민x현빈 '교섭', 내년 1월18일 개봉" [The Worst Kidnapping Case"... Hwang Jung-min x Hyun Bin's 'Negotiation' will be released on January 18 next year] (in Korean). SBS Entertainment News. Retrieved December 7, 2022 – via Naver.
  10. ^ Lee Nam-kyung (December 28, 2022). "정재성, '교섭' 출연→황정민X현빈과 호흡…원칙주의 외교부 팀장 役(공식)" [Jung Jae-seong, appeared in 'Negotiation' → breathing with Hwang Jung-min X Hyun Bin... Principled Ministry of Foreign Affairs team leader role (official)]. MBN (in Korean). Retrieved December 28, 2022 – via Naver.
  11. ^ a b c d Kim Seon-woo (January 31, 2023). "박형수·안창환·전성우·브라이언 라킨…'교섭' 빛낸 조연진" [Hyungsoo Park, Changhwan Ahn, Sungwoo Jeon, Brian Larkin... Jo Yeon-jin shines in 'Negotiation']. JTBC (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  12. ^ Kim, Joon-suk (February 24, 2020). "코로나19 한국발 입국 제한→황정민X현빈 '교섭' 측 "촬영 지장 없도록 노력"[공식]" [Corona 19 entry restrictions from Korea → Hwang Jung-min x Hyun-bin'negotiation' side "Efforts not to interfere with shooting" [Official]]. Sports Chosun. Naver. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  13. ^ "South Korean star Hyun Bin lands in Jordan to shoot". Gulf News. July 15, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  14. ^ Lee Hyun-ah (January 10, 2023). "'교섭' 황정민 현빈, 홍보 인터뷰 안한다 '왜?'" ['Bargaining' Hwang Jung-min and Hyun-bin, no PR interview 'why?']. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  15. ^ Kim Nara (December 23, 2022). "덥수룩한 수염의 현빈, 사막 한가운데서 포착 ('교섭')" [Hyun Bin with a bushy beard, caught in the middle of the desert ('Negotiation')]. My Daily (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  16. ^ Bae Hyo-joo (January 13, 2023). "황정민X현빈 '교섭' 북미→아시아·중동·아프리카서도 개봉" [Hwang Jung-min X Hyun-bin's 'Negotiation' is released in North America → Asia, the Middle East and Africa]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  17. ^ Lee B. Golden III (January 6, 2023). "THE POINT MEN Trailer: Hyun Bin And Hwang Jung-Min Battle Terrorists In North American Theaters This Month!". Film Combat Syndicate. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  18. ^ a b "KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) Box office: The Point Men (2023)". KOFIC. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  19. ^ Son Jeong-bin (January 19, 2023). "황정민·현빈 '교섭' 첫 날 1위 출발…'아바타' 4위로" [Hwang Jung-min and Hyun-bin start at No. 1 on the first day of 'Negotiation'... 'Avatar' 4th place]. Newsis (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  20. ^ "실시간 예매율" [Real-time reservation rate (box office)]. Korean Film Council (in Korean). KOBIS. January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  21. ^ "KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) Box office: Weekly/Weekend for the week Jan 16, 2023 ~ Jan 22, 2023". KOFIC. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  22. ^ Kim Nara (January 24, 2023). "'아빠' 현빈, 성공적 본업 복귀…'교섭', 7일만 100만 돌파 [공식]" ['Dad' Hyun Bin, successfully returning to his main job... 'Negotiation' surpassed 1 million views in 7 days [Official]]. My Daily (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  23. ^ Lee Da-won (January 14, 2023). "'교섭' 성공률 70%[편파적인 씨네리뷰]" ['Negotiation' success rate 70% [biased Cine Review]]. Cine21 (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  24. ^ Han Hyeon-jeong (January 17, 2023). "황정민·현빈의 첫 '교섭'[한현정의 직구리뷰]" [Hwang Jung-min and Hyun Bin's first 'negotiation' [Han Hyun-jung's direct review]]. Maeil Economy (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  25. ^ Cho Yeon-kyung (April 7, 2023). "제59회 백상예술대상, TV·영화·연극 최종 후보 공개" [59th Baeksang Arts Awards, TV/Film/Play Finalists Revealed]. JTBC (in Korean). Retrieved April 29, 2023 – via Naver.
  26. ^ Park Soo-in (April 29, 2023). "'헤어질 결심' 대상→더 글로리' 3관왕, 이변 없는 수상[백상예술대상①]" ['Decision to break up' Daesang→The Glory' 3 crowns, no surprises [Baeksang Arts Awards ①]]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved April 29, 2023 – via Naver.
  27. ^ Nam, Yoo-jung; Lee, Woo-young (August 27, 2023). "누가 받아도 될 정도로 훌륭한 후보들, 그중 최고는 누구?" [There are so many good candidates that anyone can accept them, who is the best? [2023 Buil Film Awards]] (in Korean). Busan Ilbo. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via Naver.
  28. ^ Kim, Bo-young (September 13, 2023). "교섭' 임순례 감독, 몬테레이국제영화제 공로상 받는다" ['Negotiation' director Lim Soon-rye, Monterey International Film Festival Merit Award] (in Korean). E-Daily. Retrieved September 13, 2023 – via Naver.
  29. ^ Ha-neul Lee (October 24, 2023). "제59회 대종상영화제, 남우주연상→여우주연상 후보 및 각 부문별 선정" [59th Grand Bell Awards, Best Actor → Best Actress Award nominations and selection in each category]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
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