Marine Boy (2009 Film)

Marine Boy (Korean: 마린보이) is a 2009 South Korean crime thriller film directed by Yoon Jong-Seok. The film explores the criminal underworld of underwater drug smuggling, with a title derived from the slang term used for individuals who transport narcotics by swimming across bodies of water.

Promotional poster for the film Marine Boy

Plot

The narrative follows Cheon-su, a former competitive swimmer burdened by significant debt. He is coerced into working as a "body packing" drug mule for a ruthless drug lord named Kang. To fulfill his debt, Cheon-su must transport a 10-meter-long package of narcotics by swimming through the waters between South Korea and Japan. During this dangerous operation, he encounters Choi Yu-Ri, a woman who complicates his mission.

Production

The film was directed and written by Yoon Jong-Seok and produced by REALies. It was distributed by CJ Entertainment and released in South Korea on February 5, 2009. The production has a runtime of 118 minutes. To prepare for his physically demanding role as a swimmer, lead actor Kim Kang-woo maintained a strict diet consisting primarily of chicken breast for five months.

Actor Kim Kang-woo — Kim Kang-woo, who plays the lead character Cheon-su

Actor Cho Jae-hyun — Cho Jae-hyun, who portrays the antagonist Kang

Actress Park Si-yeon — Park Si-yeon, who plays Choi Yu-ri

Cast

Kim Kang-woo as Cheon-su
Cho Jae-hyun as Kang
Park Si-yeon as Choi Yu-ri
Lee Won-jong as Gaeko ("dognose")
Oh Gwang-rok as Dr. Park

Actor Lee Won-jong — Lee Won-jong, who plays the character Gaeko

Actor Oh Gwang-rok — Oh Gwang-rok, who plays Dr. Park

Distinction

The film is unrelated to the South Korean Olympic swimmer Park Tae-hwan, who is also frequently referred to by the nickname "Marine Boy" in the media.

Scene from the film Marine Boy — A scene from the film Marine Boy