A Company Man

A Company Man is a South Korean action thriller film that hit theaters in 2012. It was directed by Lim Sang-yoon, while So Ji-seob, Mi-yeon Lee, and Kwak Do-won star in the leading roles.

The story takes place in Korea, where a large organization called a company hires skilled workers to perform specific tasks. The protagonist, Hyeong-do (played by So Ji-seob), is one of those workers, and his job is to kill people. He is adept at what he does and is responsible for the deaths of numerous individuals. However, despite his success, Hyeong-do has grown disillusioned with his life and the people he works for.

The movie opens with a scene in which Hyeong-do is ordered to dispose of a fellow employee who has failed to complete an assignment. It is at this point in the story where we begin to see Hyeong-do's growing weariness with his lifestyle. We learn that he is a widower, his wife having died in a car accident. He keeps a photo of her in his car and silently contemplates her memory while he does his job. When he returns home, he tends to his small herb garden, one of the only things he does that gives him a sense of peace.

As the story progresses, Hyeong-do inadvertently gets caught up in the company's shady business practices. His superiors worry that he might talk to the authorities, so they make a move to eliminate him in order to avoid any risk. When he realizes that he is going to be killed, he makes contact with a woman named Su-yeon (played by Mi-yeon Lee) with whom he had a brief relationship. Su-yeon is also connected to the company, and Hyeong-do hopes that she might be able to help him.

As Hyeong-do tries to evade those who are after him, he begins to better understand the nature of the organization he works for. He meets with other employees, who are all highly skilled in their respective fields, and begins to see the company as a family. However, this realization does not sit well with him, as he knows that the same company he has worked for and killed for will not hesitate to kill him if he becomes a liability.

The movie's climax takes place in a violent confrontation between Hyeong-do and his former colleagues. In this scene, Hyeong-do shows off his impressive fighting and survival skills, taking down his opponents one by one. The ending is bittersweet, with Hyeong-do finding temporary relief from his predicament but with the knowledge that he will never truly be free from the company's reach.

The acting in A Company Man is outstanding, with So Ji-seob delivering a nuanced and compelling performance as Hyeong-do. He conveys the character's inner turmoil and emotional conflict with subtlety, playing the part with quiet confidence. Mi-yeon Lee delivers a solid performance as Su-yeon, providing a steady emotional anchor for the film.

In terms of visuals, A Company Man is an impressive production. The cinematography is sharp and polished, and the film's action scenes are expertly choreographed. One of the standout action scenes is in a factory where Hyeong-do and his former colleagues engage in a thrilling shootout. The soundscape is also well-crafted, with the sound design adding tension to the film's climactic moments.

All in all, A Company Man is a thrilling and engaging action film that is well worth watching if you're a fan of the genre. The movie's themes of loyalty, family, and the corrupting influence of power make it an interesting commentary on corporate culture and the price of doing business. It's also a haunting portrayal of a man trapped by his own choices and the consequences of his actions.