Ballerina (Korean: 발레리나), is a 2023 South Korean action thriller film written and directed by Lee Chung-hyun. The film stars Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Ji-hoon and Park Yu-rim in the lead roles.
| Ballerina | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Promotional poster | |
| Hangul | 발레리나 |
| Directed by | Lee Chung-hyun |
| Written by | Lee Chung-hyun |
| Produced by | Choi Ji-young |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Gray |
Production company | Climax Studio |
| Distributed by | Netflix |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 93 minutes |
| Country | South Korea |
| Language | Korean |
The film was premiered at the 28th Busan International Film Festival in the 'Korean Cinema Today – Special Premiere' section on October 5, 2023.[1] Ballerina streamed globally on Netflix from October 6, 2023.[2]
Plot
editJang Ok-ju, a former bodyguard for VIP clients, discovers that her best friend Choi Min-hee has died and her last wish for Ok-ju is that she should get revenge on sex trafficker Choi Pro, who victimized Min-hee by filming her and extorting money from her, using the video. Ok-ju searches for Choi through his internet profile and finds his address. She stalks Choi and tricks him into taking her to the motel where Min-hee was filmed.
Ok-ju fights Choi at the motel and brutally injures him; but Ok-ju is forced to escape as Choi's gang attacks her. Ok-ju and a high school student who wants to escape from the traffickers forge a new plan. Ok-ju reaches out to an old friend to find weapons and strategize the best way to attack the gang. Choi's gang leader orders him to find Ok-ju and bring her to him. Choi tracks down and attacks Ok-ju, who flees through the window.
Choi reports to his gang leader that he has killed Ok-ju and buried her body in the mountains. Ok-ju visits the gang leader and kills him, and fights with other gangsters until one of them reveals Choi's location. Ok-ju finds Choi and disarms him; then she takes Choi to a beach and burns him to death. Ok-ju arrives at Choi's house and takes away all the videos his victims; then she drives off into the sunset.
Cast
edit- Jeon Jong-seo as Jang Ok-ju[3]
- Kim Ji-hoon as Choi Pro
- Park Yu-rim as Choi Min-hee[4]
- Shin Se-hwi as a female student
- Park Hyung-soo as Myung-shik[5]
Special appearances
edit- Kim Mu-yeol as Chief Jo
- Jang Yoon-ju as Mun-yeong
- Kim Young-ok as gun dealer
- Joo Hyun as gun dealer
Production
editIn April 2022, confirming the production of Ballerina, Netflix announced the cast and crew of the film. Directed by Lee Chung-hyun and produced by Climax Studio, it has Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Ji-hoon, and Park Yu-rim as main cast, while music is composed by Gray.[3] Principal photography commenced in June 2022, and filming was wrapped up in late October in the same year. This film also marks the reunion of Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Ji-hoon and Jang Yoon-ju after working together in the series Money Heist Korea: Joint Economic Area.[2]
In January 2023, Netflix announced its lineup of Korean upcoming films and Ballerina was listed as among the 6 Korean movies being added on the platform.[6]
Music
editSoundtrack
edit| Ballerina | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | |||||
| Released | October 6, 2023[9] | ||||
| Recorded | 2022–23 | ||||
| Genre | Soundtrack | ||||
| Length | 43:54 | ||||
| Language | |||||
| Label | |||||
| |||||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "HIGH SCORE. PIROUETTE" | 2:20 | ||
| 2. | "BALLERINA" | Gray DeVita | DeVita | 1:09 |
| 3. | "I GOT BLOOD. POINTSHOES. ON THE SWING" | 2:00 | ||
| 4. | "NIGHT RIDER. BAD MEETS EVIL. BOSS. SMELLS WEIRD. GOOGLE MAP" | 2:13 | ||
| 5. | "BITTERSWEET TRAGEDY" | Gray Jambino | Jambino | 3:02 |
| 6. | "SHOWTIME" | DeVita | 0:52 | |
| 7. | "INTO THE FOREST. DON′T OPEN. NIGHTMARE" | 4:24 | ||
| 8. | "BALLON. PHARMACY. BEFORE THE SHOW" | DeVita | 3:18 | |
| 9. | "THIS IS HOW WE DO IT" | Gray Woo Won-jae | Woo Won-jae | 2:27 |
| 10. | "GRAND PAS DE DEUX" | 3:26 | ||
| 11. | "BLACK FRIDAY. DEAD OR ALIVE. HATE. CON BRIO. ADAGIO" | 6:38 | ||
| 12. | "CHECKMATE" | Gray DeVita | DeVita | 2:26 |
| 13. | "CODA" | 2:23 | ||
| 14. | "KALEIDOSCOPE. POISSON. ON MY HANDS" | 3:45 | ||
| 15. | "BLOOD ON MY HANDS" | Gray Paul Blanco DeVita | Paul Blanco DeVita | 3:31 |
| Total length: | 43:54 | |||
Release
editThe film had its premiere at the 28th Busan International Film Festival in 'Korean Cinema Today – Special Premiere' section on October 5, 2023.[10] It is available for streaming from October 6 on Netflix globally.[11][12]
Reception
editAudience response
editBallerina from October 9 to 15 had 14.7 million views and 23.1 million hours of viewing. It was at 1st place in Global Top 10 weekly list of the most-watched Netflix TV films (Non-English).[13][14]
Critical response
editOn the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes website, the film has an approval rating of 91% based on 11 reviews, with an average rating of 6.6/10.[15]
James Marsh of South China Morning Post rated the film 3/5 and criticized the script but praised the performance of Jeon Jong-seo writing, "While the script offers precious little invention beneath its polished surface, Jeon's cold-as-ice angel of vengeance is the film's saving grace". Marsh opined that the director Lee should have explored the depths of Ok-ju's (Jeon Jong-seo) relationship with Min-hee (Park Yu-rim) further. He said that if their relationship had been "more than just platonic, the film might have been a genuine game-changer." He concluded, "As is, Ballerina is a polished yet disposable slice of ho-hum hokum".[16]
Rohan Naahar of The Indian Express rated the film with 3 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Neon visuals and a thumping soundtrack elevate Netflix's slickly packaged Korean revenge thriller that substitutes plot in favour of pure vibes."[17] Kim Jun-mo reviewing for OhmyNews criticized the direction of the film, writing that though "there are eye-catching mise-en-scenes and momentary sense", but "the power to lead the entire play smoothly leaves something to be desired". Kim concluded, "Ballerina was a work that left a disappointing impression on the growth of a promising Chungmu-ro star who had received attention for her fresh attempts, wild imagination, and unique world view."[18]
Accolades
edit| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2023 | Best Music | Gray | Nominated | [19] |
| Best Art Direction | Kim Min-hye | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ Ramachandran, Naman (August 24, 2023). "'Parasite' Oscar Winner's Directorial Debut Among Busan's Korean Cinema Today, On Screen Strand Selections". Variety. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
- ^ a b Robinson, Jacob (July 18, 2023). "'Ballerina' K-Drama Thriller: Coming to Netflix in October 2023 and What We Know So Far". What's on Netflix. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
- ^ a b Jo Ji-young (April 26, 2022). [공식] 전종서X김지훈X박유림, 넷플릭스 오리지널 영화 '발레리나'로 뭉친다 [[Official] Jeon Jong-seo X Kim Ji-hoon X Park Yu-rim to unite in Netflix original movie 'Ballerina]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved August 26, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ Kim Seong-hyun (April 26, 2022). '라이징 스타' 박유림, 넷플릭스 '발레리나' 출연 확정… 전종서와 호흡 ['Rising Star' Park Yu-rim confirmed to appear in Netflix's 'Ballerina'... Jeon Jong-seo and breathing]. YTN (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
- ^ '발레리나' 이충현 감독 "폭풍 속으로 돌진하는 전종서, 대체할 배우가 없었다"[SS인터뷰]. Sports Seoul. November 24, 2023.
- ^ "Netflix Takes K-Content to New Heights with 2023 Slate" (Press release). Netflix Media Center. January 16, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
- ^ Jo Ji-young (April 26, 2022). [공식] 전종서X김지훈X박유림, 넷플릭스 오리지널 영화 '발레리나'로 뭉친다 [[Official] Jeon Jong-seo X Kim Ji-hoon X Park Yu-rim to unite in Netflix original movie Ballerina]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved September 29, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ 그레이, '발레리나' 음악감독 참여 "영화음악 작업 열망有..운명이라 생각" [Gray participates as music director for 'Ballerina' "I have a desire to work on film music... I think it's fate"]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Naver. September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
- ^ 더 발레리나 OST [Ballerina OST]. Melon. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ^ Choi Ji-ye (August 24, 2023). 이충현♥전종서 '발레리나'→아빠 송중기 '화란'…28th 부국제, 韓영화 변곡점 될까 [TEN무비] [Lee Choong-hyun ♥ Jeon Jong-seo 'Ballerina' → father Song Joong-ki 'Hwaran'... 28th sub-international, will it be an inflection point for Korean films [TEN Movie]]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
- ^ "Netflix unveils array of K-Dramas ready to enthrall audiences in 2023". The Economic Times. August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
- ^ Yoon Ki-baek (September 7, 2023). 이충현 연출·전종서 주연 '발레리나', 내달 6일 넷플릭스 공개 ['Ballerina', directed by Lee Chung-hyeon and starring Jeon Jong-seo, will be released on Netflix on the 6th of next month.]. Edaily (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
- ^ "Top 10; Weekly Top 10 lists of the most-watched TV and films". Netflix top 10. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- ^ Kim Na-in (October 18, 2023). 전종서 액션 '발레리나' 통했다…'무빙' 인기 이어 글로벌 1위 [Jeon Jong-seo's action 'Ballerina' worked... 1st place globally following popularity of 'Moving']. Digital Times (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- ^ "Ballerina (2023, Action/Mystery & thriller)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ Marsh, James (October 5, 2023). "Review – Netflix movie review: Ballerina – Korean actress Jeon Jong-seo reunites with The Call director to play an assassin in slick and gory thriller". South China Morning Post. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
- ^ Rohan Naahar (October 7, 2023). "Ballerina movie review: Bone-crunching action meets breathtaking visuals in Netflix's new Korean action film". The Indian Express. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ Kim Jun-mo (October 8, 2023). 충무로 유망주 '몸값' 못했다, 실망스러운 '발레리나' [Chungmuro's promising star 'didn't earn the ransom', disappointing 'ballerina']. OhmyNews (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ Noiseul (November 6, 2023). '밀수'- '콘크리트 유토피아', 44회 청룡영화상 11개 부문 최다 노미네이트 ['Smuggling' - 'Concrete Utopia', most nominated in 11 categories at the 44th Blue Dragon Film Awards]. Sports W (in Korean). Retrieved November 6, 2023.
