Hwayi: A Monster Boy

Hwayi: A Monster Boy
Directed by Jang Joon-hwan
Produced by Lee Jun-dong
Lee Dong-ha
Lee Dae-hee
Written by Park Ju-seok
Starring Yeo Jin-goo
Kim Yoon-seok
Music by Mowg
Cinematography Kim Ji-young
Edited by Kim Sang-bum
Kim Jae-bum
Distributed by Showbox[1][2]
Release dates
  • October 9, 2013 (2013-10-09)[3]
Running time
 126 minutes
Country South Korea
Language Korean
Box office US$16,432,586[4]

Hwayi: A Monster Boy (Hangul: 화이: 괴물을 삼킨 아이; RR: Hwa-i: Gwi-mul-eul Sam-kin A-i) is a 2013 South Korean film about a 16-year-old boy of the same name (played by Yeo Jin-goo[5]) who is raised by five criminal fathers to become the perfect assassin. It takes pulling the trigger to discover his true identity after he realizes the mystery surrounding his past and his fate.[6][7] It was the highly anticipated second feature film by director Jang Joon-hwan, a decade after his 2003 cult favorite sci-fi comedy/thriller Save the Green Planet!.[8][9][10][11]

Plot

In the middle of a forest, a notorious five-member crime organization lives together on a deserted farm. One day, following a plan that didn't go as expected, an infant whom they had kidnapped in a blackmailing scheme is left with them. 14 years later, this boy, who is now named Hwa-yi, lives as the son of his five criminal fathers: Seok-tae, the cold but charismatic leader, Ki-tae, a stammering driving expert, Jin-seong, an ideal planner, Beom-soo, a guns expert, and Dong-beom a cold martial artist. Hwa-yi has been brought up in a unique way, learning skills from his five fathers instead of going to school. Though he has adapted to this life, sometimes he longs for the ordinary life of other boys, which seems impossible for him.

The gang plans another crime, which will see Hwa-yi participate for the first time. During a fight, Hwa-yi fires a gun to kill someone. At first, his fingers tremble and the gun shakes but after one shot, he keeps pulling the trigger as though possessed. He finds a picture of a child on the man he shot and soon Hwa-yi starts to uncover a huge secret and his tragic destiny. His life is turned upside down when he learns that the man he killed was his real father. From that moment on, Hwa-yi vows revenge on his gangster fathers, using the devious skills he picked up from a life in crime.[12]

Cast

Box office

Released on October 9, 2013, known as Hangul Day, a national holiday in South Korea, Hwayi: A Monster Boy opened strong at the box office, reaching 1.2 million admissions over its first five days.[13][14] At the end of its run, it had sold a total of 2,394,418 tickets, with a gross of ₩17,695,189,795.

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Recipient Result
2013 21st Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards Best New Actor (Film) Yeo Jin-goo Won
33rd Korean Association of Film Critics Awards Best New Actor Yeo Jin-goo Won
34th Blue Dragon Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Cho Jin-woong Nominated
Best New Actor Yeo Jin-goo Won
Best New Actress Nam Ji-hyun Nominated
Best Screenplay Park Ju-seok Nominated
Best Music Mowg Won
2014 5th KOFRA Film Awards Best New Actor Yeo Jin-goo Won
50th Baeksang Arts Awards Best New Actor Yeo Jin-goo Nominated
14th Director's Cut Awards Best New Actor Yeo Jin-goo Won
23rd Buil Film Awards Best New Actor Yeo Jin-goo Nominated
51st Grand Bell Awards Best New Actor Yeo Jin-goo Nominated

Remake

Lee Jun-dong, head of Hwayi's production company Now Film, will co-produce an English-language remake with U.S.-based Spanish producer Frida Torresblanco (Pan's Labyrinth). Lee said, "We have decided to take part in the production as a collaborator in order to ensure the quality of the remake, rather than simply handing over the storyline."[15]

References

  1. ↑ "Showbox takes on Jang Joon-hwan's Hwayi". Screen International. 12 December 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-12.
  2. ↑ Shackleton, Liz (15 May 2013). "Showbox clinches French deal on Hwayi". Screen International. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  3. ↑ Lee, Eun-ah (14 August 2013). "Yeo Jin-goo's Thriller Pic to Open in October". TenAsia. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  4. ↑ "Hwayi (2013)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2014-01-10.
  5. ↑ Lee, Seung-mi (24 February 2014). "Yeo Jin-goo a veteran at just 16". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2014-02-26.
  6. ↑ Baek, Jong-hyun (18 January 2013). "Meet the Monster in HWAYI". Korean Film Council. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
  7. ↑ Conran, Pierce (27 September 2013). "In Focus: Hwayi: A Monster Boy". Korean Film Council. Retrieved 2014-01-10.
  8. ↑ Frater, Patrick (12 December 2012). "Hwayi marks return for Kim, Jang". Film Business Asia. Retrieved 2012-12-12.
  9. ↑ Lee, Hye-ji (3 May 2013). "Yeo Jin-goo's New Film Cranks Up". TenAsia. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
  10. ↑ Tae, Sang-joon (4 September 2013). "JANG Joon-hwan Returns with HWAYI". Korean Film Council. Retrieved 2013-09-07.
  11. ↑ Hwang, Hei-rim (30 September 2013). "JANG Joon-hwan Returns". Korean Cinema Today. Retrieved 2014-01-10.
  12. ↑ "Raging Boy, Hwai". Asian Project Market. Retrieved 2012-12-12.
  13. ↑ Conran, Pierce (14 October 2013). "JANG Joon-hwan's Comeback Opens Strong: HWAYI Cracks 1 Million Admissions in 5 Days". Korean Film Council. Retrieved 2014-01-10.
  14. ↑ Lee, Sun-min (15 October 2013). "Revenge-thriller Hwayi leads box office". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2014-01-10.
  15. ↑ Lee, Hyo-won (19 May 2014). "Cannes: South Korean Crime Drama Hwayi to Get U.S. Remake". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2014-05-25.

External links

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