The Fatal Encounter | |
---|---|
International poster
|
|
Directed by | Lee Jae-kyoo |
Produced by | Choi Nak-kwon |
Written by | Choi Sung-hyeon |
Starring |
Hyun Bin Jung Jae-young Jo Jung-suk Han Ji-min |
Music by | Mowg |
Cinematography | Go Nak-seon |
Edited by | Shin Min-kyung |
Production
company |
Good Choice Cut Pictures
|
Distributed by | Lotte Entertainment |
Release date
|
|
Running time
|
135 minutes |
Country | South Korea |
Language | Korean |
Budget | US$9.6 million |
Box office | ₩29.9 billion |
The Fatal Encounter (Hangul: 역린; RR: Yeokrin; lit. The King's Wrath) is a 2014 South Korean film based on a real-life assassination attempt on King Jeongjo. Jeongjo is portrayed by Hyun Bin, in his first role in a period drama and first acting project after being discharged from mandatory military service.
King Jeongjo (1752-1800) was the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, nicknamed the "King of Misfortune." When he was 10 years old, Jeongjo witnessed the death of his father Crown Prince Sado, who was executed by a royal decree ordered by his grandfather, then-King Yeongjo. During his reign, Jeongjo was subsequently caught in the midst of fierce party strife between the Noron and Soron factions, and survived seven assassination attempts just in his first year as king. The film is inspired by Jeongyuyeokbyeon, one such assassination attempt on Jeongjo by his political opponents in 1777, the king's first year as the nation's ruler. The Fatal Encounter depicts the 24 hours leading up to that event in Jeongjo's life and those around him.
This is the feature film debut of director Lee Jae-kyoo; he previously helmed the television series Damo (2003), Fashion 70's (2005), Beethoven Virus (2008), and The King 2 Hearts (2012), as well as the online movie The Influence (2010).