The Case of Itaewon Homicide (2009)

It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.

Your blood may run cold, but you now find yourself pinioned to the story.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

I was never a fan of Jang geun suk, nor did I like him much as an actor. But he is decent in this but his English threw me out of this movie. And despite the trailer and the poster making it seem like he is the main character in this movie. He is barely in it and most of the scenes are taken up by the guy that is trying to find out and get to the bottom of what really happened. And find the killer responsible. The thing is there is barely any attachment to any of the characters. Even when it comes to the victim, who got stabbed multiple times and killed. Nothing really made me focus and grab me with the situation at hand. Maybe slightly near the end but that is about it. And that is because of the victim's parents and family and what pain they must have gone through. Since there is no attachment to any of the characters and because people get killed all that time. It's sad but that is what happens around the world, but even one victim can lead a movie like this. But unfortunately that isn't the case for this flick. The two possible culprits gets caught early on and what drives the story is trying to find out which one is the one that actually did the killing. Despite the somewhat interest premise, since it's based on a true story it made me angry. Especially since foreigners like the culprits in this movie ruin chances for others to go and teach in other countries. And because of morons that are portrayed in this movie or just go and cause trouble. Has lead Korea too crack down and is way more strict with it's regulation of foreigners going to Korea in order to teach. And ruins it for people that genuinely want to teach, build friendships and have fun in a responsible manner. Anyways this is a boring movie that will make most audiences lose interest in it early on. The cast was good, especially the one that played the semi-retarded culprit. The story is choppy at places and the direction is overall just poorly done. The most positive thing that stood out though is how it shows how flawed the justice system is even in Korea. There is a bit more to this story that isn't shown in this movie since it came after 2009, which is the date this movie came out. And more of what happens comes after. I feel bad for the victims but as a movie this one is a poor crime mystery thriller.4.5/10