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Real (리얼; Rieol) is a South Korean neo-noir action film based on character from Manhwa webtoons superheroes comic book by TMS Comics, directed by Lee Sa-rang, starring Kim Soo Hyun, Sung Dong Il, Lee Sung Min, Sulli (in her final film appearance) and Jo Woo Jin. The film was released on June 28, 2017 in South Korea.
Synopsis[]
Conspiracy and war which revolves around Asia's biggest casino... "Someone who looks exactly like me suddenly appeared."
Before gang boss Jang Tae Young can open his casino "Siesta", underground billionaire Jo Won Geun appears right before his eyes and claims ownership of the casino. Jang then looks for another investor in order to prevent his casino being taken away because of Jo's intervention.
One day, an investor who looks exactly the same as him and has the same name shows up and offers to get rid of all problems including Jo. With the arrival of this mysterious investor, Jang's war against Jo starts.
Only the real one can have everything.[1]
Cast[]
- Kim Soo Hyun as Jang Tae Yeong
- Lee Sung Min as Dr. Choi Jin Gi
- Sung Dong Il as Jo Won Geun
- Sulli as Song Yoo Hwa
- Jo Woo Jin as Sa Do Jin
Soundtrack[]
Production[]
On October 12, 2015, Alibaba Pictures signed an agreement at the 20th Busan International Film Festival to fund the film. Paradise Group also co-invested an additional USD7 million. It also filmed in the corporation's resort, Paradise City.
Actress Han Ji Eun was cast after going through auditions that involved 4,200 other talents.
Filming began on January 3, 2016 and finished on June 30, 2016 in Paradise City, Yeongjongdo, Incheon.
Director Lee Jung-sub dropped out of the film and was replaced by Lee Sa-rang, a first-time filmmaker, owner of the production company of Real.
Release[]
Real was initially released cinematically on June 28, 2017, then digitally in mid-July 2017 in Korea.
Taiwan has become the first region outside Korea for Real to have a cinematic release. It was released on August 4, 2017.
Real was released in Hong Kong on November 16, 2017.
Real was released in Japan on April 14, 2018.
Sitges Film Festival, one of the world's foremost international festivals specialising in fantasy and horror films, has included Real in its 2017 catalogue.
Adaptation[]
On December 28, 2017, Cove Pictures, the production company of REAL, announced a television adaptation of the film. According to the company, the script will be written in 2017-2018, and the drama would be produced in 2019.
Reception[]
Real received mostly negative reviews during its initial release. MaxMovie's review stated that despite Kim Soo-hyun giving justice to his dual roles, the film's plot is non-existent, the editing and special effects are amateurish, in addition to its action scenes being boring. One critic felt the story was confusing and named the film "one of the most disastrous films ever made".
One critic proclaims Real to be a "future camp cult classic" that "is the 'real' deal". Sitges Film Festival, one of the world's foremost international festivals specializing in fantasy and horror films, has included Real in its 2017 catalog. The experimental adventure that is Real is in Kim Soo Hyun's words, not an endearing film that is easy for moviegoers to fall in love with. Yet, in the end, love it or hate it, there is no denying that Real is "one of the most singular Korean films to emerge in years".
When Real was released for Digital Cable TV VOD and IPTV subscription in South Korea, it topped the charts at its initial release. In contrast to its box office response, the movie faired reasonably well on the VOD chart. While it is released via VOD platform only in mid-July, the movie ranked quite high on the overall chart of July 2017.
Real received positive reviews upon its opening in Taiwan in early August. Critics praised Kim Soo Hyun’s acting, proclaiming that both main characters, despite looking identical, were easily distinguished through his use of body language, mannerisms, and voice acting.
Expat Korean Movie Critic/Blogger Pierce Conran has included Real in his list of top 15 Korean Movies of 2017 for its uniqueness and originality.
Box office[]
Real grossed over $1M NTD (New Taiwan Dollar) in its first weekend of release in Taiwan. It was the highest initial week box office take for a Korean film at the time.
To date, Real has grossed over $4.7M NTD in Taiwan and US$3 million in the box office in total.
Trivia[]
- The drama was based on characters from TMS Comics Entertainment's comics.
Gallery[]
.png "Real (2017).png (1.42 MB)")