Netflix K-movie Officer Black Belt stars a cheeky Kim Woo-bin but misses on the bromance
Today, Korean action-comedy, Officer Black Belt, starring the cheeky Kim Woo-bin, streams worldwide on Netflix. Over a 108-minute runtime, meet a guy who only does things that he thinks are fun. Like applying his extensive martial arts talent to ‘worthy’ candidates.
Lee Jung-do lives the slacker life, gaming with his friends, delivering for his father’s chicken shop, exercising and competing in sports in what appears to be that order. He believes one maintains good health by focusing on enjoyment. But when he saves a martial arts officer who’s been stabbed by a former prisoner, he enters a whole new world.
The film pairs the direction-free Jung-do with probation team leader, Kim Sun-min, in closely monitoring ankle bracelet-wearers. To prevent them from falling back into crime, they check in with their charges, tracking them electronically and stepping in when anything looks off. As they wait for the injured officer to recover, the already-short-staffed team invites Jung-do to join them temporarily. Somewhat like an intern, with his own set of high-level skills and instincts, he dives in, learning police-work as he goes.
Lee Jung-do is played by Kim Woo-bin, known for stunners like Alienoid, Our Blues, The Heirs and School 2013. Kim Sung-kyun is Kim Sun-min, the team leader who takes Jung-do under his wing. He’s known for scene-stealing as the hilarious father in Reply 1988 as well as having roles in the more recent Moving, D.P. and Divorce Attorney Shin.
Screenwriter/director Jason Kim, who also led Midnight Runners and Bloodhounds, clearly has a view of the ordinary guy turned hero with just a small bit of training. Once again, he shows that passion plus common sense goes a long way, mixing high emotion with learned discipline.
In an interview with The Korea Times, both Kim Woo-bin and Kim Sung-kyun note having not previously known of martial arts officers, expressing gratitude to the unsung protectors of Korea who do such admirable work. Kim Sung-kyun says, “Watching probation officers at work, I saw that they don’t simply monitor their subjects. To protect citizens, they sometimes scold them like older brothers, sometimes coax them and sometimes respond firmly when necessary. I focused on their humane aspects.”
Kim Woo-bin notes that he gained eight kilograms and studied fighting in preparation for the role. “I trained in kendo, judo and taekwondo for three to four hours a day, starting three months before filming. Of course, I couldn’t become a martial arts master in just three months but I practiced a lot to do my best.”
Things can be a little dicey as most of the criminals were imprisoned for murder or sex crimes, including crimes against children. But unbothered by the potential danger, Jung-do is positively gleeful upon receiving a taser as standard kit, itching to try it on someone. He does get his chance. While Sun-min takes a gentler approach, trying to help their charges overcome previous mistakes. Together, they prevent re-offenses whether by talking people off the ledge or jumping in fists-first to stop them.
High on success after having saved a neighborhood friend from a molester, just a role opens up on the team, Jung-do decides to join the permanent staff, wanting to help people, even if it’s not as ‘fun’ as his previous existence. His supportive gaggle of gamer friends occasionally help out with a drone or some kit, also seeing the value in their compatriot’s new job.
Overall, it’s fun to watch but not as entirely fulfilling as we’ve come to expect. While the action can be a tad repetitive, it does manage to keep things urgent, tucking in some nail-biter moments. The music, however, feels a little over-emphasized, unnecessarily forcing emotion. As a buddy flick, it may not feel quite as charming as Park Seo-joon and Kang Ha-neul in Midnight Runners. While in Officer Black Belt, both actors do a nice job, they don’t seem to reach the bromance chemistry we crave. That crucial moment where the pair learn to trust each other is more assumed than demonstrated, leaving us waiting for a BFF love that never comes.
What do you think of Officer Black Belt? The pairing of Kim Woo-bin and Kim Sung-kyun? Shout your thoughts in the comments below. Or check out our Officer Black Belt Ending Explained story.
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Verdict - 7.5/10
7.5/10