Pacemaker (2012 Film)
Pacemaker (Korean: 페이스메이커) is a 2012 South Korean sports drama film directed by Kim Dal-jung. The film explores the life of a marathon runner who, due to past injuries and personal circumstances, finds himself working as a pacemaker—a runner tasked with setting the pace for a team during the initial stages of a race before dropping out.
Plot
Joo Man-ho (played by Kim Myung-min) was once a promising marathon athlete. A severe leg injury and the need to support his younger brother forced him to abandon his dreams of professional competition. He eventually finds work delivering fried chicken while continuing to participate in track and field events as a pacemaker.
His former coach, Park Sung-il (Ahn Sung-ki), eventually recruits him to serve as a pacemaker for the South Korean national team as it prepares for the Olympic Games. This opportunity presents a complex challenge for Man-ho, as he must navigate the physical risks of his recurring injury while confronting his long-held desire to complete a full marathon as a competitor rather than a support runner.
Production
The film was directed by Kim Dal-jung with a screenplay written by Jung Hyun-woo, Lee Won-jae, and Ryu Hoon. Principal photography for the project took place between April 11, 2011, and August 28, 2011. The film was distributed by Lotte Entertainment and released in South Korea on January 18, 2012.
Cast
- Kim Myung-min as Joo Man-ho
- Ahn Sung-ki as Park Sung-il
- Go Ara as Yoo Ji-won
- Choi Tae-joon as Min Yoon-ki
- Jo Hee-bong as Jong-soo
- Choi Jae-woong as Joo Sung-ho
