Watch Made In China

Made in China is a South Korean film released in 2014. Directed by Kim Dong-hoo and produced by Kim Hyo-jin, the movie is a smart and satirical take on the contemporary Korean society, exploring the themes of ambition, greed, and false morality. The story follows the life of Gu-nam (Gi-woong Park), a desperate man living in poverty who is lured into a dangerous world of smuggling and counterfeit by the promise of quick riches. However, as his dreams turn into nightmares, he realizes that he is deeply entangled in a web of deceit and corruption.

The movie begins with a fast-paced montage of colorful and flamboyant street performers and vendors in the Cheonggyecheon district, one of the tourist hotspots in Seoul. This sets the tone for the rest of the movie, which is peppered with bright visuals and quirky humor, but also eerie undertones of danger and darkness lurking in the shadows.

Gu-nam, a down-on-his-luck taxi driver, is beset by financial struggles and an unhappy marriage to his wife (played by Hwa-Young Im). He is indebted to a loan shark and is unable to provide for his young daughter. Gu-nam's life takes a turn when he is approached by a Chinese smuggler who offers him a deal - to go to China and return with a large sum of money in exchange for his help in smuggling fake designer handbags. Gu-nam reluctantly agrees and sets off to China, a country he has never been to and knows nothing about, to strike it rich.

Upon arrival, Gu-nam realizes that he has been played and the deal he signed up for is nowhere near what he imagined. He is trapped and forced to smuggle drugs across borders under the guise of cheap Chinese suits. The more he gets involved with the smuggling ring, the more danger he is exposed to. The film, at this point, shifts from its light-hearted tone into a much darker and suspenseful one, in which an ever-tightening noose threatens Gu-nam's livelihood and survival.

As the story unfolds, we see Gu-nam's descent into a life of treachery and deception, where he no longer knows whom to trust or how to escape. He becomes entangled in a cat-and-mouse game where he has to avoid getting caught by the cops or betrayed by his cohorts. He also has to reckon with his own moral code, as he realizes that the life he has built for himself is founded on criminality and deceit.

In Made in China, director Kim Dong-hoo delivers a compelling story of a man who falls victim to his own greed and ambition. The movie explores the human condition, the fragility and complexity of the self, and the price one pays for pursuing a life of selfish gain. The character of Gu-nam is relatable, and his journey portrays the harsh realities of the corrupt world, where the line between right and wrong is blurred, and the cost of choosing either can be devastating.

The movie also benefits from strong performances by its leads. Gi-woong Park shines as Gu-nam, delivering an authentic portrayal of a man at the end of his tether, struggling to make ends meet. Chae-Ah Han, as the femme fatale in Gu-nam's life, adds a layer of sensuality and danger, elevating the film's tension and intrigue.

The film's cinematography is also noteworthy, with bright and colorful visuals that contrast starkly with the film's darker themes. The use of handheld cameras during the action scenes also lends a sense of urgency and immediacy to the action sequences, which are well-choreographed and thrilling.

In conclusion, Made in China is an engaging and intelligent film that combines humor and satire with suspense and danger. The movie raises pertinent questions about the human condition, consumerism, and the morality of pursuing a life of material gain. The full cast and crew, led by director Kim Dong-hoo, deliver a solid and satisfying movie that will leave its viewers questioning the world around them.

Made In China is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.