New World (2013 South Korean Film)
New World (Korean: 신세계; RR: Sinsegye) is a 2013 South Korean crime drama film written and directed by Park Hoon-jung. The narrative centers on the internal power dynamics of the Goldmoon crime syndicate and the efforts of the National Police Agency to manipulate its leadership succession.
Plot
Ja-sung (Lee Jung-jae) is an undercover police officer who has spent years embedded within the Goldmoon crime organization, eventually rising to become the trusted right-hand man of the syndicate's second-in-command, Jung Chung (Hwang Jung-min). When the organization's chairman is killed, a power vacuum emerges, prompting a violent struggle for control between rival factions.
Kang Hyung-chul (Choi Min-sik) of the National Police Agency initiates "Operation New World," a covert strategy to influence the succession process and install a leader favorable to the police. As the operation progresses, Ja-sung finds himself increasingly conflicted between his duty to the police and his complex loyalty to Jung Chung, while struggling to escape his undercover life.
Production
Principal photography for New World commenced on June 16, 2012, at the Daejeon Metropolitan City Hall. The production filmed in various locations across South Korea, including Cheongju, Busan, Wanju, Incheon, Gimje, Gunsan, Ansan, and Paju. Filming concluded on September 14, 2012, in Geojin, Gangwon Province, with the final scene featuring a flashback to the first meeting between Ja-sung and Jung Chung.
Cast
- Lee Jung-jae as Ja-sung
- Choi Min-sik as Kang Hyung-chul
- Hwang Jung-min as Jung Chung
- Park Sung-woong as Lee Joong-goo
- Song Ji-hyo as Shin-woo
- Choi Il-hwa as Jang Soo-ki
- Lee Kyoung-young as Seok Dong-chool
Reception and Awards
The film was screened at several international film festivals, including the Jeonju International Film Festival, the San Sebastian International Film Festival, and the BFI London Film Festival. At the 34th Blue Dragon Film Awards in 2013, Hwang Jung-min received the award for Best Actor for his performance as Jung Chung. Lee Jung-jae was recognized with the CJ CGV Star Award at the 33rd Korean Association of Film Critics Awards.
