Ha Jung-woo's Riveting Action in 'Broken' Draws Attention, But Leaves Questions Unanswered

Ha Jung-woo's intense action scenes in the film 'Broken' (directed by Kim Jin-hwang) are noteworthy, reminiscent of Choi Min-sik's hammer action in 'Oldboy'. However, the film's theme is neither clear nor simple. While it offers thought-provoking elements, it falls short as a commercial film.

Min-tae (played by Ha Jung-woo), once the ace of the crime organization Changmo-pa, now leads a normal life. His only relative, Seok-tae (played by Park Jong-hwan), is found dead. The prime suspect and the only person who knows the truth, Seok-tae's girlfriend Moon-young (played by Yoo Da-in), disappears. As Min-tae searches for clues, he meets novelist Ho-ryeong (played by Kim Nam-gil), who is also pursuing Moon-young. Min-tae discovers that Ho-ryeong's bestseller 'Night Walk' predicted his brother's death. Amidst the tangled truths, Min-tae continues his pursuit to uncover the truth of the night his brother died.

True to its title, 'Broken' features explosive action. Armed with a steel pipe, Ha Jung-woo destroys everything in his path. The scene where he walks down a long alley, taking down gang members one by one, is reminiscent of Choi Min-sik's hammer action in 'Oldboy'. The car chase scene in the latter part of the film, captured with urgent angles, further immerses the audience.

The chemistry between Ha Jung-woo and Kim Nam-gil, reuniting after 'The Closet' (2020), is also noteworthy. Kim Nam-gil's scholarly demeanor and Ha Jung-woo's wild gaze as a former crime organization member add to the film's appeal. Supporting roles by Jung Man-sik as the gang boss Changmo, Lim Sung-jae as the ally Byeong-gyu, and Yoo Da-in as the missing brother's wife Moon-young add depth to the film. Yoo Da-in, in particular, drives the film's narrative with minimal dialogue, relying on her actions and expressions.

Perhaps due to director Kim Jin-hwang's first foray into commercial cinema, the film lacks a compelling rationale and clear message. While Min-tae is enraged by his brother's unjust death, his actions are illegal and antisocial. The deceased Seok-tae is not portrayed as a good person either. The ambiguity between good and evil offers food for thought but lacks persuasive power. The overall narrative leans more towards personal revenge than a moral tale of good versus evil, leaving the film's message somewhat unclear.

'Broken' is a film that can be enjoyed with a light heart if one focuses on the action. Those who appreciate diverse interpretations may find it more intriguing. The film is set to release on February 5th.

Yoonha Kim, TenAsia Reporter youn@tenasia.co.kr