Hopeless (Korean화란; Hanja禍亂; RRHwaran) is a 2023 South Korean neo-noir thriller film directed by Kim Chang-hoon and starring Hong Xa-bin in his film debut. The film also features Song Joong-ki and Kim Hyeong-seo.[2] The film depicts a teenage boy, Yeon-gyu, who while wanting to escape from his hellish reality, meets the middle boss of a local gang, Chi-geon, and ends up in the world of crime. It premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.[3] The film was released theatrically in South Korea on October 11, 2023.[4]

Hopeless
Theatrical release poster
Hangul
화란
Hanja
禍亂
Revised RomanizationHwaran
Directed byKim Chang-hoon
Screenplay byKim Chang-hoon
Starring
Production
companies
Distributed byMegabox Plus M
Release dates
  • May 24, 2023 (2023-05-24) (Cannes)
  • October 11, 2023 (2023-10-11) (South Korea)
Running time
133 minutes
CountrySouth Korea
LanguageKorean
Box officeUS$1.9 million[1]

Premise

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Although he never had what he wanted in his 18 years of life, he still struggles to grasp a hope, Yeon-gyoo is a teenage boy who wants to escape his hometown where violence is commonly enacted among neighbors. He only hopes to have a peaceful life with his mother. However, the world never allows him to have a dream nor hope for life. When Yeon-gyoo needs a hand from grown-ups, Chi-geon, a thug of the town, offers a favor. The simple favor leads Yeon-gyoo to explore the world of Chi-geon. It ironically results in Yeon-gyoo gradually falling into Chi-geon's life. Grasping a hope to run away from where he is, he struggles between the border. Can he escape from the town at the end?

Cast

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Release

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Hopeless premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival on May 24, 2023. It was also invited to the 28th Busan International Film Festival in 'Korean Cinema Today - Special Premiere' section.[6]

Reception

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As of October 14, 2023, the film has grossed US$966,670 at the local box office and accumulated 135,178 admissions from 976 screens.[1]

Awards and nominations

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Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee Result Ref.
Baeksang Arts Awards 2024 Best New Director Kim Chang-hoon Nominated [7][8]
Best Supporting Actor Song Joong-ki Nominated
Best New Actor Hong Xa-bin Nominated
Best New Actress Kim Hyeong-seo Won
Blue Dragon Film Awards 2023 Best Supporting Actor Song Joong-ki Nominated [9][10]
Best New Actor Hong Xa-bin Won
Best New Actress Kim Hyeong-seo Nominated
Best New Director Kim Chang-hoon Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b "Hopeless (2023)". Korean Film Biz Zone. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  2. ^ Yoo Eun-bi (May 8, 2023). "위태로운 송중기x홍사빈...칸 초청 '화란' 해외 포스터 공개[공식]" [Precarious Song Joong-ki x Hong Sa-bin... Cannes Invitational 'Hwaran' Overseas Poster Released]. SPOTV NEWS (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  3. ^ "Cannes Film Festival Unveils 2023 Lineup (Updating Live)". The Hollywood Reporter. April 13, 2023.
  4. ^ Bae Hyo-joo (September 12, 2023). "송중기 첫 칸 진출작 '화란' 10월11일 개봉" [Song Joong-ki's first film at Cannes, 'Hwaran', opens on October 11th.] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  5. ^ Kim Bo-young (October 19, 2023). "'화란' 김종수·정재광·박보경·정만식, 짙은 누아르 완성한 신스틸러들" ['Hwaran' Kim Jong-soo, Jeong Jae-gwang, Park Bo-kyung, Jeong Man-sik, scene stealers who completed the dark noir] (in Korean). Edaily. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  6. ^ Kyungmin Ha (August 24, 2023). "Dokjeon 2 Cigarette Girl... Busan International Film Festival, premiere of 9 new domestic and foreign films" [Dokjeon 2 Cigarette Girl... Busan International Film Festival, premiere of 9 new domestic and foreign films]. Newsis (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  7. ^ Lee, Seung-hoon (May 7, 2024). '무빙'→'서울의 봄' 대상..'파묘'는 4관왕 [제60회 백상예술대상][종합] ['Moving' → 'Seoul Spring' Grand Prize..'Buried Grave' wins 4 awards [60th Baeksang Arts Awards] [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024 – via Naver.
  8. ^ Hwang, So-young (April 8, 2024). 60회 맞은 '백상예술대상' TV·영화·연극 후보 공개 [60th 'Baeksang Arts Awards' TV, Film and Theater Candidates Revealed] (in Korean). JTBC News. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024 – via Naver.
  9. ^ Kim Yu-jin (November 6, 2023). 제44회 청룡영화상 후보 발표...'밀수'·'콘크리트 유토피아' 11개 부문 최다 노미네이트 [44th Blue Dragon Film Awards Nominations Announced...'Smuggling'-'Concrete Utopia' Receive Most Nominations in 11 Categories]. X-ports News (in Korean). Retrieved April 9, 2024 – via Naver.
  10. ^ Baek Ji-eun (November 24, 2023). [44th청룡] 김혜수, 영원한 청룡영화상 "후회없이 충실했던 30년, 모든 순간이 영광"(종합) [[44th Blue Dragon] Kim Hye-soo, Eternal Blue Dragon Film Award ㅊ30 years of faithfulness without regrets, every moment is glorious" (Comprehensive)]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved April 9, 2024 – via Naver.
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