The first Korean blockbuster, "Shiri," has confirmed its theatrical release for a 4K remastering on March 19 and has unveiled posters and a trailer.
"Shiri" is a film that depicts a thrilling espionage battle involving the special agent 'Yu Jung-won' (Han Suk-kyu) and his colleague 'Lee Jang-kil' (Song Kang-ho) from the national intelligence agency OP, facing off against North Korean special army commander 'Park Mu-young' (Choi Min-sik), infiltrating spies, and internal agents.
Originally released in 1999, "Shiri," which marks the beginning of the Korean film renaissance and changed the landscape of the box office, has confirmed its re-release in theaters with a 4K remastered version on March 19. The film swept awards at the 35th Baeksang Arts Awards, including the Daesang, Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor, as well as the Best Director award at the 20th Blue Dragon Film Awards and the most popular award for Korean films, captivating both audiences and critics. Particularly, "Shiri" was regarded as Korea's first blockbuster, combining unprecedentedly intense action, grand visuals, an exhilarating spy drama, and unmissable emotions, establishing itself as the top-grossing film of the 1990s.
The two posters for the 4K remastered version of "Shiri," returning to meet new audiences, capture attention with the overwhelming aura of South Korea's top actors. Featuring images of Han Suk-kyu, Choi Min-sik, Song Kang-ho, and Kim Yoon-jin centered around a map of the Korean Peninsula, the posters focus on each actor's intense presence. Another poster heightens curiosity about the characters' cat-and-mouse relationship by depicting Han Suk-kyu as the special agent 'Yu Jung-won' and Song Kang-ho as 'Lee Jang-kil' aiming their guns, with Choi Min-sik portraying North Korean special army commander 'Park Mu-young,' showing a tense expression. Additionally, the tagline "Will you trust or protect?" hints at a dramatic development that exceeds predictions. Moreover, the intense gaze of 'Yu Jung-won's' lover 'Lee Myung-hyun' (Kim Yoon-jin) is expected to inject substantial tension into the film.
The trailer released alongside the posters escalates tension by showcasing the special agents 'Yu Jung-won' and 'Lee Jang-kil' from the national intelligence agency OP confronting North Korean special army 'Park Mu-young' at a critical incident scene. Lines such as "Information is leaking" and "At this point, it seems an internal mole has been revealed" imply not only the presence of infiltrating spies but also a hidden internal agent, generating deep immersion. Furthermore, 'Yu Jung-won's' beloved 'Lee Myung-hyun's' tender voice and expression provoke curiosity about the couple's heartbreaking relationship. Particularly, this trailer brings together iconic actors from the Korean film industry—Han Suk-kyu, Choi Min-sik, Song Kang-ho, and Kim Yoon-jin—whose compelling performances evoke nostalgia and appreciation for their talent. Thus, confirming the 4K remastered release while revealing posters and trailers, the film "Shiri" is set to deliver a powerful thrill once again at theaters in 2025, captivating audiences.
The 4K remastered version of "Shiri," the first Korean blockbuster and a timeless masterpiece, is scheduled to be released in theaters on March 19.
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