A Company Man

South Korean cinema continues to intrigue international audiences by delivering captivating, intricate, and nuanced narratives. With the 2012 film "A Company Man," directed by Sang-yoon Lim, it further explores the power of redemption and the struggle for survival in the unconventional work environment of a professional hitman. The film features an ensemble cast including So Ji-sub, Lee Mi-Youn, Do-won Kwak, Lee Kyung-Young, and Kim Dong-Jun showcasing a gripping fusion of action and drama.

Our protagonist, Hyeong-do (So Ji-sub), is not your average salaryman. He works at a metal fabrication company, but his real employment is as a professional killer for the corporation controlling the underworld of Seoul. He makes his trade as a hired hitman, a job he does with such efficiency and detachment, it's as if it's just another day at the office. His desk is spotless, his suits are impeccable, and his punctuality is flawless. The fact that his co-workers are also hitmen and their office is a large, nondescript building merely adds to the deliberate obscurity.

This life of organized crime and hideous murder routine begins to waver when Hyeong-do encounters a woman from his past, Su-yeon (Lee Mi-Youn), sparks a wave of human warmth within him. A former singer whose life has been marred by tragedy, Su-yeon injects a sense of normalcy into Hyeong-do’s dangerously clandestine life. Through this encounter, the audience experiences a disorienting shift in Hyeong-do's sterile, impersonal world as he starts to contemplate his brutal profession and the price it takes on one's humanity.

In the form of Do-won Kwak and Lee Kyung-Young, "A Company Man" introduces formidable supporting characters who further amplify the rising tension within the plotline. Kwak plays a fellow assassin who's fallen from favor due to an injury, weaving a subplot of collusion and suspicion, while Lee gives a chilling performance as the corporation's ruthless leader.

A dramatic subplot involves Ra Hoon (Kim Dong-Jun), a young autoworker who unknowingly stumbles into the deadly corporate affairs. The interplay between these characters keeps the audience consistently engaged while providing a profound exploration of morality within an immoral world.

As the narrative unfolds, Hyeong-do finds himself trapped in a high-stakes battle between following his heart, embracing humanity, distancing himself from his profession, and adhering to the burdensome loyalty demanded by the deadly corporation. The duality inflicted within Hyeong-do’s aspirations of leading an ordinary life with Su-yeon and the inexorable pull of his loyalty towards his profession forms the crux of the storyline.

On a technical level, "A Company Man" boasts exceptional cinematography, mastered choreography, and a pulsating, engaging score that amplifies every action sequence and every emotional beat. The blend of bright, vibrant cityscapes of Seoul, contrasting the dark, grim color palette of the corporation, further accentuates the stark divide between the normal world and the treacherous, violent underworld.

Director Sang-yoon Lim explores the concept of a corporate assassin, which is typically portrayed in a glamorous light, as an indictment of the corporate world's inhumane and life-consuming structure. The film expertly intertwines themes of existential introspection, redemption, and the longing for freedom in its twisted and thrilling plot.

So Ji-sub's exceptional performance as Hyeong-do is the backbone of the film. He captivates audiences with his controlled, subtle portrayal of a man stuck in the extremities of the corporate world, where the line blurs between right and wrong, life, and death. His portrayal of Hyeong-do’s evolution from an emotionless hitman to a man craving for normalcy propels the narrative.

"A Company Man" is a compelling exploration of human nature, wrapped up in a slick action thriller format. It cleverly combines tense drama with hard-hitting action, making it a gripping exploration of crime, redemption, and the human capacity for change. With its brisk pacing, skillfully captured action sequences, and well-constructed characters, "A Company Man" offers a unique slice of cinema that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.