A Company Man (Hoi-sa-won) is a South Korean action-thriller film directed by Sang-Yoon Lim, released in 2012. The movie features a stellar cast of Korean actors including So Ji-sub, Lee Mi-Youn, Do-won Kwak, Lee Kyung-Young, and Kim Dong-Jun. The movie tells the story of a hitman who works for a company that takes on various contracts for assassinations.
The protagonist of the movie, Hyeong-do (So Ji-sub), is a professional killer who works for a company called the Corporate Management Team. Hyeong-do is a skilled assassin and has been working for the company for years without a flaw. The company operates under the guise of a metal fabrication plant, and its employees are all undercover hitmen.
Despite the fact that Hyeong-do has spent most of his career taking out people for money, he starts to feel a sense of remorse for his actions. He begins to question the morality of the work he does and longs for a more meaningful and moral life. His colleagues in the company don't seem to have any qualms about their work and continue with their killing sprees.
As Hyeong-do continues to struggle with his conscience, he meets a woman named Su-yeon (Lee Mi-Youn) who is one of the factory workers in the company. They form a connection, and she becomes the only person Hyeong-do has ever confided in. Su-yeon is unaware of his secret profession and is simply smitten with the kind and gentle Hyeong-do she knows him as.
However, Hyeong-do's peaceful world is soon shattered when he is ordered to kill a former colleague. The contract goes awry, and Hyeong-do is forced to go on the run. As he tries to evade the law, his former colleagues are hot on his trail. In a thrilling chase sequence, Hyeong-do finds himself in a top-floor battle in the company building, where he must fight against his former friends who have turned into bitter enemies.
A Company Man is unique in that it presents an interesting dichotomy between a man's professional and personal lives. It also provides a glimpse into the life of a hitman, where the boundary between one's empathy and professionalism is blurred. The action sequences in the movie are well choreographed and executed, and the cinematography is top-notch. The acting of So Ji-sub, in particular, stands out, as he effectively portrays the complexities of his character's suppressed emotions.
The film's director, Sang-Yoon Lim, expertly handles the tension throughout the movie, with the pacing well thought-out. The narrative is taut and remains engaging throughout. The emotional moments in the film are also expertly balanced with the action, keeping the audience engaged throughout. The movie is visually stunning, and the sleek and stark aesthetics of the company are very well-portrayed in the movie.
Overall, A Company Man is a thought-provoking action-thriller that has plenty of adrenaline-pumping moments. The exploration of the moral and ethical conflicts of a hitman and his struggle with his conscience makes it a movie that is both thrilling and emotionally impactful. If you are a fan of Korean cinema, action movies, or simply in the mood for a well-executed thriller, A Company Man is a must-watch.
A Company Man is a 2012 foreign movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes.