The Man Standing Next (2020)

Lee Byung Hun takes on the role to change Korea forever

A captivating telling of the days leading upto the Assassination of President Park Chung-hee. The tense nature between South Korea's relations with America at the time, the human rights violations and subsuquent riots that followed. And by all means, this is said to be fairly accurate as a historical piece too.

Lee Byung-hun's acting in this film was truely outstanding from start to finish. The range in subtle emotion he elictied in the film was impressive. He captured the eventual assasinnation really well. Changing from calm to slowly more angst as his character (Kim Gyu-pyeong, a character based upon Kim Jae-gyu, the real life assassinator of President Park) makes the decision to change Korea forever.

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Interesting Political Movie

Being a foreigner who has very little to none knowledge of Korean politics, it made me read a lot of this movie’s real-life backstories after seeing the film. It was very interesting and moving. As a viewer, it will make you think and reflect whether Kim Jae-gyu is a patriot or a traitor.

The car scene at last few minutes of the movie was very powerful, compelling, and thought-provoking. Lee Byung-hun did an excellent portrayal of the role; the entire cast was amazing.

If you have no idea of this piece of history like me and you dove in watching the movie, I highly recommend supplementing your knowledge by reading the real-life narratives and facts presented the soonest after seeing the movie so you won’t get lost, balance thing out, and you can form your own informed judgement of the characters and events. I did that and I learned a lot.

History buffs would enjoy this.

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