Director Min Kyu-dong's latest film, 'The Old Woman with the Knife,' is set to hit theaters on May 1.
'The Old Woman with the Knife' is an action drama that depicts the intense showdown between 'Jogak,' a legendary killer who has been part of an organization dealing with human "cockroaches" for over 40 years, and 'Tuu,' a mysterious killer who has pursued him all his life. Based on the bestselling novel of the same name by author Gu Byeong-mo, the title 'The Old Woman with the Knife' ('pagua') carries a dual meaning: "Though flawed, it becomes perfect as it ripens."
The release announcement, along with two initial posters and a teaser trailer, has already heightened anticipation among prospective viewers.
The first poster captures attention with the overwhelming aura of the two killers. Centered around the tagline "Is it okay to kill?" it features Lee Hye-young perfectly embodying the legendary killer 'Jogak,' who is both feared and revered by all killers, and Kim Sung-cheol as the mysterious man 'Tuu,' who became a killer to find 'Jogak.' Their confrontation promises a thrilling drama and action between the two characters. The second poster showcases the charisma of 'Jogak,' with just a glimpse of her back adorned with a sharp hairpin, suggesting her unattainable presence.
After its world premiere at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, 'The Old Woman with the Knife' received rave reviews from major international media outlets. ScreenDaily described it as "impressive enough to capture the film industry's attention with its blend of intense action and emotion," while The Hollywood Reporter praised it as "a work by veteran director Min Kyu-dong who has mastered all genres." The news of its domestic release has sparked significant interest.
The teaser trailer opens with the line, "Think of it as just killing a bug," spoken by 'Ryu' (played by Kim Mu-yeol), the mentor of 'Jogak,' accompanied by tension-building music. The face of 'Seolhwa' (played by Shin Si-a), covered in blood, transforms into the 60-year-old legendary killer 'Jogak,' with the powerful line, "Our job is a sacred duty to exterminate harmful pests," sparking curiosity about her long-standing mission.
As 'Jogak' reflects on her past self, the mysterious killer 'Tuu' remarks, "Isn't it just waste that should be discarded because it's old and useless?" This sets the stage for the tension between 'Jogak' and 'Tuu.' 'Jogak's sharp question, "What's your purpose for being here?" hints at the fierce confrontation between the two killers.
The action drama 'The Old Woman with the Knife,' which conveys the emotional waves centered around a killer in her 60s, will be available in theaters this May.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)