Part-Time Spy

Part-Time Spy is a 2017 South Korean comedic action movie directed and written by Kim Deok-su and features Ye-won Kang, Chae-Ah Han, and Min Namkoong in the lead roles. The movie's plot uniquely blends elements of comedy, action, and drama, which makes it an entertaining and thrilling cinematic experience.

The movie's brilliant narrative revolves around the lively character Jang Young-shil (played by Ye-won Kang), who leads a rather unique life. After being jobless for three years, she was fortunate enough to land a contract job in a public organization. Being a temporary employee, she desperately desires to secure a permanent position and thus, diligently works towards her goal. However, her life takes a gripping turn when she gets entangled in a serious matter.

Just as she starts appreciating her newly settled work-life, a tumultuous situation emerges. The organization where she works is hit with an embezzlement scandal involving an incredible amount of money. Out of the blue, and to everyone's surprise, Young-shil gets designated as the primary suspect. She becomes the scapegoat for a crime she has not committed, leading her life to spiral out of control.

Our protagonist is determined to prove her innocence. In this extortion-fraught predicament, she is aided by Na Jung-an (played by Chae-Ah Han), an elite detective working for the Korean National Police Agency. Together, these oddly matched but absolutely unwavering women enter into an alliance to bring down the real embezzler. The plot's strength lies within its powerful and exhilarating illustration of this lady duo's quest against the cunning criminal.

In their mission, Jang and Na utilize their wits, strength, and bravery to peel off the layers of a well-organized crime. Along the way, they also have to overcome their personal differences and disagreements, creating an intriguing subplot. The movie creatively uses humor as a tool to soften the serious crime investigation theme, giving the audience a laugh along with thrill and suspense.

Min Namkoong delivers a fantastic performance in the movie, perfectly fitting into the more serious role of a robust and stoic police chief. His role adds a different dimension to the story and provides an interesting contrast to the adventurous and comedic escapades of the women duo.

Part-Time Spy has its own unique appeal, distinctly combining humor with crime-thriller elements. Director Kim Deok-su does an excellent job balancing the contrasting elements, by keeping the narrative light-hearted and exciting, while maintaining the crime genre's tension and suspense. He also craftily handles the gender stereotyping issue frequently transported in such genre films, giving the narrative a refreshing slant.

Ye-won Kang amazes the viewers with her funny, strong, and intelligent character portrayal. Chae-Ah Han flawlessly presents her detective character, embodying courage, heroism, and professionalism. Together, they create an extraordinary team, astounding the audience with their clever and audacious crime-busting actions.

The storyline is engaging, explicitly illustrating the strength of women who step up and take action to clear their names and serve justice. The movie intricately twines suspense, comedy, action, and drama, making it a highly enjoyable watch. It shows how determination, teamwork, bravery, and intelligence can dominate even the seemingly impossible challenges.

In conclusion, Part-Time Spy is a must-watch, packed with entertaining performances, rib-tickling humor, intense moments, and a compelling storyline. It continuously keeps the viewers on the edge by featuring gripping instances of the women duo's exploits. The movie dynamically portrays the theme of facing adversity head-on, demonstrating how the most unexpected circumstances can bring out the best in ordinary people. The comedic twist added to the intense subject of crime, corruption, and investigation makes it a unique addition to its genre. This movie brings together comedy, crime, investigation, and action, without the overpowering intensity usually associated with crime thrillers, making it a light-hearted yet thrilling experience.