A Company Man (2012 Film)

A Company Man (Korean: 회사원; RR: Huisawon) is a 2012 South Korean action-thriller film written and directed by Lim Sang-Yoon. The film explores the life of a professional assassin who attempts to leave his violent career behind after experiencing a change of heart.

A Company Man promotional poster — Promotional poster for the 2012 film A Company Man.

Plot

Ji Hyeong-Do (played by So Ji-Sub) works as a high-ranking assassin for a shadowy organization that operates under the guise of a metal trading company. His life is defined by cold efficiency and routine until he is tasked with mentoring a young recruit, Ra-Hoon (Kim Dong-Jun), and subsequently killing him. During the assignment, Hyeong-Do encounters Ra-Hoon's family, including his mother, Yoo Mi-Yeon (Lee Mi-Yeon), a former singer whom Hyeong-Do had admired in his youth.

The interaction triggers a sense of guilt and longing for a normal life, leading Hyeong-Do to spare the recruit. When the company discovers his failure to complete the mission, Hyeong-Do becomes a target of his own organization, forcing him into a violent struggle for survival.

Production

The film was directed and written by Lim Sang-Yoon. Principal photography for the project commenced on August 20, 2011, and concluded on December 6, 2011. The film was distributed by Showbox and released in South Korea on October 11, 2012.

Cast

The film features an ensemble cast led by So Ji-Sub and Lee Mi-Yeon.

So Ji-Sub as Ji Hyeong-Do
Lee Mi-Yeon as Yoo Mi-Yeon
Kwak Do-Won as Kwon Jong-Tae
Kim Dong-Jun as Ra-Hoon
Jeon Kuk-Hwan as Company President Jeon
Lee Kyoung-Young as Ban Ji-Hoon

Jeon Kuk-Hwan plays the company president.

Film scene — A scene from the film featuring the protagonist.

Reception

A Company Man was screened at the 17th Fantasia Film Festival in 2013, where it held its Canadian premiere.