Ransomed (Korean: 비공식작전; RR: Bigongsik jakjeon) is a 2023 South Korean action thriller film directed by Kim Seong-hun, starring Ha Jung-woo and Ju Ji-hoon. It is based on the 1986 kidnapping of a South Korean diplomat in Lebanon. The film was released theatrically on August 2, 2023. It was also invited at the 28th Busan International Film Festival in 'Korean Cinema Today - Panorama' section and was screened on October 5, 2023.
Contents
Premise
Set in 1987, the film revolves around diplomat Lee Min-jun and local taxi driver Kim Pan-su who went to Lebanon to rescue a missing colleague. At the time, the Chun Doo-hwan government was covering it up to avoid bad press for the upcoming 1987 South Korean presidential election and the bid for 1988 Summer Olympics. The ransom asked by the terrorists was 2.5 million U.S. dollars. The public will not know the full details until declassification in 2047.
Cast
Ha Jung-woo as Lee Min-jun
Ju Ji-hoon as Kim Pan-su
Kim Eung-soo as the director of KCIA
Park Hyuk-kwon as Manager Park
Kim Jong-soo as South Korean Foreign Affairs Minister Choi Kwang-soo
Lim Hyung-guk as kidnapped Secretary Oh Jae-seok
Burn Gorman as Richard Carter
Marcin Dorociński as Hays Shaito, a Switzerland arbitrator
Fehd Benchemsi as Karim
Anas El Baz as Naji
Nisrine Adam as Lila, Pan-su's lover
Khalil Oubaaqa As Gangster
Nada El Belkasmi as Refugee camp volunteer