Ordinary Person

Ordinary Person is a phenomenal South Korean crime, drama film from 2017, directed by Kim Bong-han. This intricately plotted film offers a unique perspective on a historical era, brilliantly combined with elements of suspense, intrigue, and mystery. The leading performances by Yoon-So Choi, Hee Sun Chung, and Son Hyeon-Ju are captivating, and their talents only serve to enhance the film's engaging narrative.

The film unfolds in Seoul, 1987, right as the nation is experiencing political upheaval marked by frequent protests for democracy. The narrative focuses on a proficient police detective, Sang-hoon (played by Son Hyeon-joo), who lives a simple and ordinary life with his beloved wife and their son. His life is defined by his righteous instinct to protect his community. However, things take a turn when he gets involved in a secretive and complex operation led by the National Intelligence Service.

Hee Sun Chung portrays the mysterious character of Kim Jung-il, who manipulately draws the straight-arrow Sang-hoon into a realm of dubious moral ambiguities. On the other hand, Yoon-So Choi plays the character of Jang Joon-hyup, an esteemed journalist who grows suspicious of the sudden wave of serial killings in the city. There's a tangible atmosphere of tension as Sang-hoon is caught between an enigmatic operation led by Kim Jung-il and Jang Joon-hyup’s investigations.

The film is endowed with a masterful narrative that explores the clash between personal morality and societal duty, along with an insightful exploration of South Korea's obscure past. Ordinary Person achieves a delicate balance of personal drama in a historical context, using the nervy political climate of the time as a backdrop. The excellent production design, cinematography work, and period-specific costumes effectively enhance the overall context while evoking a realistic representation of the era.

Son Hyeon-Ju offers a riveting performance as Sang-hoon, capturing every nuance of a man torn between his duty as a police officer and his deep-rooted morality. His portrayal of a simple, "Ordinary Person" unwittingly dragged into a much larger machinery of political scandal is done with remarkable poise, infusing his intense character with an underlying layer of vulnerability and humanity.

Equally impressive is Hee Sun Chung in the role of Kim Jung-il. Through his meticulous portrayal, he brings a chilling charisma to the morally ambiguous character, making the overall narrative more intricate and engaging. Yoon-So Choi gives an assertive and dedicated performance as Jang Joon-hyup, evoking a sense of determination and justice that further deepens the storyline, bringing a complex frequency to the plot's course.

Overall, Ordinary Person is a fascinating cinematic experience that revolves around an intriguing socio-political narrative and personal moral conflict, making for a thought-provoking exploration of society's wisdom to discern the truth. The film successfully encapsulates the heady mixture of suspense, thriller, drama, crime, and immediate jeopardy within the broad context of socio-political unrest, ultimately making the ordinary extraordinary in its own unique and engaging way.

The film carries a profound sense of time and place, imbued with a cinematic vibrancy that culminates in a climatic denouement. Ordinary Person’s engrossing storyline, adorned with passionate performances and historical context, provides an immersive viewing experience, climbing the social ladder of ordinary people to unveil the extraordinary in them. It's a film that promises not just mere entertainment, but something much deeper - an exploration of human complexities in the face of daunting societal challenges.