A Better Tomorrow (2010 South Korean Film)
A Better Tomorrow (Korean: 무적자; RR: Mujeokja) is a 2010 South Korean action film directed by Song Hae-sung. It is a remake of the 1986 Hong Kong action film of the same name directed by John Woo. The film explores themes of brotherhood, betrayal, and redemption within the criminal underworld, though its narrative differs from the original 1986 version.
Production
The remake rights for the film were acquired in 2006 by the South Korean production company Fingerprint from Hong Kong's Fortune Star Entertainment. The film's Korean title, Mujeokja, carries two distinct meanings: "no opponent to compete" and "no country." The production initially used the working English title Invincible before settling on A Better Tomorrow.
Principal photography commenced on January 25, 2010, in Thailand, where filming lasted for approximately 20 days before moving to South Korea. Domestic filming took place primarily in Busan, with support from the Busan Film Commission.
Plot
Kim Hyuk (Joo Jin-mo) is a high-ranking mobster operating in Busan, South Korea, alongside his close associate Lee Young-choon (Song Seung-heon). Hyuk is haunted by his past, specifically the memory of fleeing North Korea and leaving behind his mother and younger brother, Kim Chul (Kim Kang-woo). His mother was killed and his brother imprisoned by North Korean authorities during their failed escape.
During a business trip to Thailand, Hyuk is betrayed by a new recruit, Jung Tae-min (Jo Han-sun), and subsequently arrested by Thai police. Upon learning of the betrayal, Young-choon seeks revenge against the Thai gang, resulting in a shootout that leaves him with a permanent leg injury. Three years later, Hyuk is released from prison and returns to Busan, where he finds Young-choon living in reduced circumstances. Meanwhile, Kim Chul has become a police officer in Busan and is actively investigating the criminal organization that now employs Tae-min, who has risen to become a powerful crime boss.
Cast
- Joo Jin-mo as Kim Hyuk
- Song Seung-heon as Lee Young-choon
- Kim Kang-woo as Kim Chul
- Jo Han-sun as Jung Tae-min
- Lee Kyoung-young as Park Kyung-wi
- Kim Hae-gon as Boss Jung
- Lim Hyung-joon as Detective Lee
- Seo Tae-hwa as Prosecutor Jo
Release and Reception
The film held its world premiere on September 3, 2010, at the 67th Venice Film Festival. It was released theatrically in South Korea on September 16, 2010. The film was also screened at the 23rd Tokyo International Film Festival in October 2010.
