Ransomed (2023 | Korea | 132 minutes | Seong-hun Kim)
Based on the true story of an eager South Korean diplomat, Min-joon (Ha Jung-woo) who risks his life to save a colleague. Set in the 1980’s at the height of Lebonese warring factions, Min-joon is leaving the Korean Diplomatic office in Seoul for the night and happens to pick up a call containing a coded message. A colleague who’d been given up for dead after being kidnapped in Beirut long ago managed to make contact in hopes of finally being rescued. Taking a personal interest both to better his station and save a fellow diplomat, Min-joon and his superiors work out a plan to bring them both back safely. The Korean CIA is up in arms that they weren’t involved from the beginning and continue to put up road blocks in an increasingly harrowing rescue mission.
While Min-joon is trained for certain situations, this is beyond his experience and without the help of an ex-pat turned Beirut taxi driver Pan-soo (Ju Ji-hoon) he wouldn’t have made it out alive. Just when it seems they’re in the clear, in-fighting amongst Lebonese factions intensifies when they hear a high-value asset is being ransomed, they want the money for themselves. Min-Joon and the diplomatic office don’t care about who is holding him hostage, they just want their friend brought home safely, but the South Korean government, the KCIA, and Lebonese forces are all standing between the two men and their freedom.
I’ve been increasingly intrigued by the incredible film and television entertainment coming out of South Korea over the last few years. They’d been creating much longer than that but thankfully they’re beginning to see the attention they deserve. Political thrillers, while occasionally an excellent viewing experience, are not a type of entertainment I seek out. I would rather feel uplifted and happy after a film than educated and heavy-hearted, but Ransomed is one of the best exceptions to my rule. Even as I watched, I was reflecting on how well-done the direction, acting, and editing was and that impression stuck with me till the end credits.
It was difficult to watch something so real, so heartbreaking. What was happening to the people of Lebanon, the city of Beirut, and citizens and visitors alike is unimaginable; but having a taste, a true taste, of a history that most of us prefer to ignore or pretend didn’t happen is a rare and humbling experience. While some of the events seemed fantastical or a bit too “perfect” as far as timing and escape is concerned, I can’t imagine they veered too far off road. I can’t imagine being in such a terrifying experience and still have my whits enough to do what needed to be done. This was a well-crafted story and I certainly hope that it gets a longer run locally and nationally than just a single week.
Ransomed is in theaters now through Thursday 8/10 and only available at Cinemark Century Federal Way and Alderwood Mall AMC
This piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the film being covered here wouldn’t exist. More information about the strikes can be found on the SAG-AFTRA Strike hubs. Donations to support striking workers can be made at the Entertainment Community Fund.