About 'I Saw the Devil'

'I Saw the Devil' is a brutal and relentless South Korean psychological thriller released in 2011. The movie delivers a unique blend of horror, action, and drama, exploring the thin line that separates the hunter from the hunted. The film revolves around Kim Soo-hyun, a secret agent, who embarks on a mission of revenge when his fiancée is brutally murdered by a ruthless psychopath, Kyung-chul. The film exposes the audience to the dark depths of human capability when pushed to its limits.

Making / Production

Directed by Kim Jee-woon and produced by Kim Hyun-woo, the film was initially premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and later released in South Korea. The realistic action, gore effects and tone of the film contribute to the intense emotion and raw brutality.

Actors

• Lee Byung-hun: Played the role of Kim Soo-hyun. His intense portrayal of a spiteful and vengeful secret agent was both terrifying and empowering.
• Choi Min-sik: Enacted the role of Kyung-chul, the psychopath murderer. Choi's performance captured the chilling essence of the character's brutal and ruthless nature.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Despite its extreme violence, 'I Saw the Devil' was a commercial success, garnering both critical and public acclaim.
• Choi Min-sik, who played the serial killer, is a practicing Buddhist and reportedly said prayers for all animals that were 'killed' in the movie.

Awards

'I Saw the Devil' won the Best Film Award at the 33rd Blue Dragon Film Awards. Choi Min-sik also won the Best Actor award at the Fantasporto Director's Week.

Quotes

• “It’s only when I kill that I am liberated from the constant pain.” – Choi Min-sik as Kyung-chul
• “When you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.” – Lee Byung-hun as Kim Soo-hyun

Music, Soundtrack

• The haunting original score of the movie was composed by Mowg.
• It beautifully blends classic orchestra with modern electronic music, amplifying the dark theme and tone of the film.