Detective Cha (2012 Film)
Detective Cha (Korean: 차형사; RR: Cha Hyungsa) is a 2012 South Korean action-comedy film directed by Shin Tae-ra. The film follows the story of Cha Chul-soo, a dedicated but disheveled and overweight detective who must go undercover as a fashion model to investigate a narcotics case linked to the fashion industry.
Plot
Detective Cha Chul-soo is known for his unkempt appearance and lack of concern for his physical health, yet he remains a tenacious investigator. When a drug trafficking ring begins infiltrating the fashion world, the police department determines that an undercover operation is necessary. Cha is selected for the mission due to his height, alongside another detective who is sidelined by a medical issue. To successfully infiltrate the industry, Cha must work with designer Ko Young-jae, who demands that he lose 20 kilograms in two weeks to meet the requirements of a runway model. The film depicts his rigorous and comedic efforts to transform his physique for the assignment.
Production
The film was directed by Shin Tae-ra from a screenplay written by Ko Young-jae and Kim Kyu-won. Principal photography commenced on October 19, 2011, and concluded on January 20, 2012. To prepare for the role of the titular detective, lead actor Kang Ji-hwan gained 10 kilograms (approximately 22 pounds).
Cast
The film features an ensemble cast, including:
- Kang Ji-hwan as Cha Chul-soo
- Sung Yu-ri as Ko Young-jae
- Lee Soo-hyuk as Kim Sun-ho
- Kim Young-kwang as Han Seung-woo
- Shin Min-chul as Yeo Min-seung
- Shin Jung-keun as Detective Yoo
- Lee Hee-jun as Gyung-seok
- Hong Seok-cheon as the fashion show director
- Ra Mi-ran as fashion designer Song
- Kim Woo-bin as model Woo-bin
- Park Bo-gum as the teenage version of Cha Chul-soo
- Kim Ji-young as the teenage version of Ko Young-jae
