Watch The Phantom Detective

The Phantom Detective is a South Korean crime-thriller movie directed by Jo Sung-hee and released in 2016. The plot follows Hong Gil-dong (Lee Jehoon), a private detective with exceptional deductive and fighting skills, who takes on a case involving a missing girl named Min-jung (Roh Jeong-eui). The movie is set in a city where corruption and lawlessness thrive, and Hong is one of the few detectives who follow the morals of justice. Hong has a troubled past, having grown up in an orphanage and faced wrongful accusations and convictions for crimes he did not commit. His traumatic experiences have given him the perseverance and the unique abilities that make him an impeccable detective.

The story begins with Hong, who operates in disguise, being approached by a young girl who offers him a dollar to find her lost friend. Hong is reluctant to take the case, but as he begins to investigate, he realizes that the case is more complex than it seems. The missing girl, Min-jung, is the daughter of a wealthy businessman, and his search for her leads him into the dangerous realms of organized crime, human trafficking and drug dealing.

Hong’s investigations bring him face to face with four mastermind criminals in the city – Kim Byeong-deok (Kim Seong-gyoon), a mafia boss, Lee Sang-gu (Park Geun-hyung), an elder statesman, Choi Tae-gwan (Jo Seong-ha), a corrupt police detective, and Jang Yong-dae (Kim Ha-na), an assassin.

Kim Byeong-deok is the most important character in this movie, and his portrayal by Kim Seong-gyoon is intimidating and chilling. He is a highly sophisticated, yet brutal criminal who has a network of informants and resources that help him stay untouchable by the law. When he discovers that Hong is after him, he goes all out to eliminate him and prevent him from solving the case. Kim Seong-gyoon's portrayal of Kim Byeong-deok is commendable, and he delivers a performance worthy of praise.

Lee Sang-gu is another character who plays a significant role in the movie. He is an elder statesman with deep connections to the city's politicians and bureaucrats. His motive is to cover up any wrongdoing that can tarnish his reputation in society, even if it means sacrificing innocent lives. His character is the embodiment of the corruption and decay prevalent in the city, and Park Geun-hyung's portrayal of Lee Sang-gu is convincing and authentic.

Choi Tae-gwan is a corrupt police detective who is in cahoots with Kim Byeong-deok. He covers up his crimes and protects crime bosses in exchange for money and power. His character represents the corruption within law enforcement agencies in the city, and Jo Seong-ha's portrayal of Choi Tae-gwan is impressive and realistic.

Juxtaposed against these characters is Hong Gil-dong, the Phantom Detective, who is relentless in his pursuit of justice. He doesn't let the odds deter him, and he fights with all his might to uncover the truth and punish the guilty. As the movie progresses, we see the desperation and trauma Hong has endured in his life and how it has shaped his character. Lee Jehoon brings depth to his character, portraying Hong with honesty and sincerity, making the audience root for him all the way.

The Phantom Detective is an engaging movie that keeps the audience engrossed and thrilled from start to finish. The cinematography and direction are commendable, and the action sequences are well-executed. The story is intricate and has several twists and turns that keep the audience guessing until the end. The movie touches upon themes of good vs evil, corruption, power, and justice in a manner that is both relatable and entertaining.

In conclusion, The Phantom Detective is a must-watch for fans of crime-thrillers and action movies. The performances of the actors, especially Lee Jehoon and Kim Seong-gyoon, are outstanding, and the direction and cinematography add to the overall impact of the movie. The Phantom Detective is a movie that is sure to entertain and captivate audiences of all ages.

The Phantom Detective is a action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 6 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.