The Spy Gone North

Gongjak or The Spy Gone North is a spy thriller that looks at the complex political world of North and South Korea and relations during the late 1990's. It is a mix of history and fiction in telling the story of a South Korean spy agent who goes to North Korea under the guise of a businessman through China in order to infiltrate North Korea in search of information about the nuclear program.

The movie's biggest strength is in the cinematography portraying the different locales of China, South Korea, and North Korea in its story telling and in the acting pulling in a cast of well established Korean actors. The camera work and soundtrack is also excellent which work together perfectly in creating high tension key points in the story and providing the movie with excellent pacing.

The story is for the most part is more straight forward than what I expected from a spy thriller. It gets more political after the second half of the movie which is expected due to the nature of story between North and South Korea and it adds a level of complexity. What the movie doesn't do well is explain the motivation that drives the actions of supporting characters. The main character's actions were easy to understand but it was a little bit frustrating not understanding the driving cause of some of the other key characters.

The movie ends with a clear message that will polarize viewers based on their political standing but it does so in an interesting way through the relationship between characters which does tie up the movie fairly well. My biggest critique of this film is that it's too predictable for a spy thriller but it does do a great job narrating the journey.

I am a fan of intrigue/spy thrillers, and I noticed this in the TV schedule so recorded it, initially I thought it was a serial, I did not know anything about it or which country it was about or made by.

I was pleasantly surprised upon opening it, that it was a South Korean movie, having seen a couple from there before, and it turned out to be a lucky move to record it, as it turned out to be excellent.

It starts off as a spy scam, whereby the South Koreans send a spy to pretend to be a business man to infiltrate the north, but evolves into a political thriller, with a few twists and a bit of a opposite buddy's near the end, apparently it's a true story!

Hollywood used to make films like this, but can't seem to do it anymore, It is in the film noir style, and very well made, excellent direction and very good actors, the photography is good, but the best is the character interplay. 60 years ago this might have been a Humphrey Bogart film, like an oriental Maltese Falcon. Watch as soon as you can. Brilliant

A top flight spy movie. Full of tension, twists and intrigue. Set in what is probably the most intriguing cold war of all time.

This is an excellent movie on all accounts. The fact that it is based on historical events makes it even more special.

Watch it and love it!

This is a korean spy thriller drama about, a true incident of espionage on north korea from the southern sister, via channals in mother china. its an exremely complex plot, but the very good acting by the main actors make this as seeworthy as the east west spy thrillers of the 70's and 80's made by usa , european and soviet filmakers.

its very well worth a thought that the korean issue is a still ongoing conflict, and every time a film like this is put on the market, their northern counterpart usually creates skin attacks and mortar shelling on the DMZ, or starts some navy maneuvers that usually are not announced, or burns up some fireworks that USA and japan gets der untergang spasms from, south korea are doomed anyway if some dirt like that should happen.

one might critizice the slow pace of this film, but its done with a cause, and well worth waiting for. the filmography are true fantastic in all aspects, with the punch of a feinsmeaeckers finrgerspitz, it brings us through great aerials to excitingly focused dialouges.

a darn good thriller thinks the grumpy old man, with recommendations.

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.