The Man Standing Next (2020 Film)
The Man Standing Next (Korean: 남산의 부장들; RR: Namsanui Bujangdeul) is a 2020 South Korean political drama film directed by Woo Min-ho. The film dramatizes the political tensions and events surrounding the assassination of South Korean President Park Chung-hee on October 26, 1979.
Background and Production
The film is based on the non-fiction novel Namsanui Bujangdeul by Kim Choong-sik, which was serialized in the newspaper The Dong-A Ilbo between 1990 and 1992. The source material explores the true story of Kim Hyong-uk, a former director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA), and the circumstances of his disappearance. Principal photography for the film commenced on October 20, 2018, and concluded on February 28, 2019.
Plot Summary
Set in the final days of the Park administration, the narrative centers on Kim Kyu-pyeong (played by Lee Byung-hun), the director of the KCIA. The plot follows the escalating conflict between high-ranking officials as they navigate the volatile political climate of 1970s South Korea. A central conflict involves the testimony of the exiled former KCIA director, Park Yong-kak (Kwak Do-won), who speaks against the government at a U.S. hearing, prompting Kim Kyu-pyeong and the presidential security chief, Kwak Sang-cheon (Lee Hee-jun), to initiate plans to silence him.
Cast
- Lee Byung-hun as Kim Kyu-pyeong
- Lee Sung-min as President Park
- Kwak Do-won as Park Yong-kak
- Lee Hee-jun as Kwak Sang-cheon
- Kim So-jin as Debra Shim
Reception and Awards
The film received critical recognition for its performances and production design. At the 41st Blue Dragon Film Awards in 2021, it was named Best Film. Lee Byung-hun received the Best Actor award at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards in 2020, where the film also earned an Art Award for Kim Seo-hee.