South Korean actor Kim Seon-ho, best known for his charming role in the drama “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha,” shines brilliantly in “The Childe,” a crime thriller crafted by acclaimed writer-director Park Hoon-jung, also known for his work in “Night in Paradise.” Though the film showcases good production value, it unfortunately doesn’t venture beyond being a standard crime thriller.
Kim Seon-ho brilliantly portrays a suave yet self-deprecating assassin, adding a fresh and riveting perspective to the story that otherwise revolves around Kang Tae-ju’s character, a Filipino-Korean boxer. Kang’s character, Marco, is unceremoniously plunged into a fierce battle for control over one of Korea’s top chaebols, or family-run conglomerates, after discovering that he is the son of the powerful chairman.
Kim’s portrayal of the assassin outshines even the main character, giving audiences a sense of humour and personality that turns this conventional character archetype into the film’s most relatable and unforgettable figure. Kim’s portrayal is reminiscent of a younger and more attractive Choi Min-sik, another prominent figure in the Korean film industry.
Marco, the central character, lives a modest life in the Philippines, taking care of his ailing mother. His life takes an unexpected turn when he is called to Seoul after discovering his estranged father is the chairman of a powerful business empire. However, this revelation also brings forward the harsh reality of his half-brother Han’s (played by Kim Kang-woo) insidious intentions of exploiting Marco for organ donation to save their father and secure the family fortune.
As Marco arrives in Seoul, he is thrust into a whirlwind of power struggles, bloodshed, and deceit, characteristic of a high-stakes family drama reminiscent of the HBO series “Succession.” However, unlike “Succession,” which offers a satirical and nuanced look at the spoiled and privileged, “The Childe” descends into a violent spectacle dominated by Korean crime thriller stereotypes.
An interesting angle the film explores is the real-world “Kopino” issue, where many children in the Philippines of Korean-Filipino descent grow up fatherless, primarily due to sex tourism. Unfortunately, the film merely skims the surface of this issue and uses Marco’s racial background as a tool for tension rather than delving deeper into the social implications.
While “The Childe” initially sets up Marco as an underdog turned action hero, the character development falls short as the spotlight is stolen by Kim Seon-ho and to some extent, Kim Kang-woo. This leaves Kang’s character in the shadows, resulting in a narrative that, despite its promising premise, lacks depth and substance.
READ MORE: