Wikipedia

Brave Citizen

(Redirected from Draft:Brave Citizen)

Brave Citizen (Korean: 용감한 시민) is a 2023 South Korean action comedy film directed by Park Jin-pyo.[5][6][7] It is an adaptation of the webtoon of the same name.[8] The film follows an aspiring boxer and substitute teacher, Si-min (Shin Hye-sun), who covertly fights against a school bully, Su-gang (Lee Jun-young), by using a mask to conceal her identity.

Brave Citizen
Theatrical release poster
Hangul
용감한 시민
RRYonggamhan simin
MRYonggamhan simin
Directed byPark Jin-pyo
Screenplay by
  • Yeo Ji-na
  • Hyeon Chung-yeol
Based on
Brave Citizen
by Kim Jung-hyun
Starring
CinematographyKim Yong-seong
Edited by
  • Kim Woo-hyun
  • Kim Hyun-seo
Music byDalpalan[1]
Production
companies
Finecut
Studio N
Content Wavve
VOL Media
Oscar10studio
Distributed byMindmark
Release date
  • October 25, 2023 (2023-10-25)
Running time
112 minutes[2]
CountrySouth Korea
LanguageKorean
Box officeUS$2.1 million[3][4]

Synopsis

edit

So Si-min is a passionate teacher who cannot tolerate injustice, yet chooses to live quietly as a contract teacher after running into the harsh walls of reality. However, among the students in her class is Han Su-gang, the ultimate embodiment of arrogance. Taking advantage of Somin's restraint and the neglect of other teachers, he ruthlessly bullies the students and even the staff he considers easy targets. As his cruelty escalates further and crosses the line, Si-min can no longer stand by. By day, she remains a teacher but by night, she transforms into a vigilante, determined to deliver true justice to Su-gang.

Cast

edit
  • Shin Hye-sun as So Si-min, a substitute teacher at Mooyoung High and former boxing prodigy.[9][10] "So Si-min" is a literal translation of "ordinary middle-class citizen" in Korean.[11]
  • Lee Jun-young as Han Su-gang, a "ruthless"[11][12][13] bully and student, who terrorizes students and faculty at Mooyoung High.[14][15]
  • Park Jung-woo as Go Jin-hyeong, Su-gang's classmate who becomes his main victim to protect his grandmother.[14][16]
  • Park Hyuk-kwon as So Yeong-taek, Si-min's father, a former boxer and part-time deliveryman at a chicken restaurant.[17]
  • Cha Chung-hwa as Lee Jae-kyeong, the head teacher at Mooyoung High who helps Si-min.[18][19][20]
  • Lee Chan-hyeong as Lee Kwon-joong, a police officer and Si-min's neighborhood friend.[21][22]
  • Bae Hyeon-Jun as Lee Byeong-jin, a student at Mooyoung High.[22]
  • Cha Woo-min as Lee Moon-ki, a student member of Su-gang's gang who takes part in the bullying.[23]
  • Lee Joong-ok as Seo Sang-woo, the owner of the chicken restaurant where Yeong-taek works, and a former boxer.[17][24]
  • Son Sook as Jin-hyeong's grandmother who is tormented by Su-gang and his gang.[16][25]
  • Kang Anna as Song Eun-gyo, a member of Su-gang's gang who films the bullying.[26]
  • Lee Kyu-hoe as vice principal.

Production

edit

Background

edit

In April 2019, Studio N (the production company subsidiary of Naver Webtoon),[27] confirmed that a film adaptation of the Brave Citizen webtoon was going to be made.[28]

The webtoon's creator, Kim Jung-Hyun, was inspired to create the concept for the story from an article he read about a teacher who ignored school violence. The article prompted him to think about how a teacher in that situation would react if they themselves became the victim of bullying.[29]

The film's director, Park Jin-pyo, stated that he worked on developing the theme of school violence from the webtoon into the film two and a half years prior to the phenomenon's renewed attention in South Korea,[30] which occurred prior to the film's release in 2023.[31][32][33]

Casting

edit

On October 9, 2021, Shin Hye-sun was reported to be positively responding to the script after having been offered a role in the film.[34] On November 12, 2021, Studio N announced that Shin and Lee Jun-young had been cast in the leading roles.[35][36][37][38]

Shin trained for 6 months[39] with a martial arts instructor for her character, and confirmed she performed all the action scenes in the film herself.[40] The film is Shin's first action film.[30][41]

Filming

edit

In August 2021, it was reported that filming would begin in November of that year.[42][43] However, later reports in November 2021 indicated that filming would begin in December 2021.[36][37] Principal photography officially began on December 30, 2021, and concluded on April 5, 2022.[44]

Heo Myeong-haeng, known for being an action direction master[45][46] choreographed the action sequences for the film.[30][47]

Post-production

edit

Deadline reported that South Korean sales company Finecut had acquired the international rights to the adaptation at Busan International Film Festival's Asian Film & Contents Market that took place in October 2022.[47]

Release

edit

Brave Citizen premiered on October 25, 2023, in South Korea.[48] Its North American debut took place at the Fantasia International Film Festival on July 20, 2024.[10] The film was later featured at the 12th Korean Film Festival in Belgium on October 2, 2024.[49]

Its release marked Cha Woo-min's film debut.[50]

Reception

edit

Box office

edit

The film opened at number two at the local box office, as it sold over 36,000 tickets and grossed approximately 281.8 million ₩ (around US$206,978).[44]

Critical response

edit

Brave Citizen holds an audience rating of 6.87 on the Korean review aggregator Naver Movie Database,[51] and has a Letterboxd rating of 3.3/5.[52] Expert critics at Cine21 gave it 5 out of 10 stars, while audiences rated it 8/10.[53]

Audiences and critics alike praised Lee Jun-young's villainous portrayal of Han Su-gang.[14][54][55][48][56][57]

Critics applauded the film's exploration of school violence.[16][19][14][48][58] Yoo Seon-ah from Cine21 added that the school violence theme combined with the masked vigilante narrative offers viewers an emotional satisfaction.[19] Cho Kyung-Geon, a journalist from Busan Ilbo, similarly complimented the well-timed theme of school violence, although he noted that the film felt "predictable" at times.[14] Fantasia International Film Festival's Steven Lee remarked that the theme was "explored in a very interesting way."[10]

Scott Phillips from Forbes called Brave Citizen an "action gem" and his favorite film from the Fantasia International Film Festival 2024's first week.[15] David Chew and Golden Lee highlighted the "well choreographed"[16] action scenes as what made viewing Brave Citizen enjoyable.[59] On the other hand, Yoo Seon-ah criticized the multi-angled action sequences, and questioned whether their inclusion fully capitalizes on the strengths of the action genre.[19] Film critic Maxance Vincent expressed a similar attitude to Yoo, stating that while there were a few great action fight moves present, a majority of the action photography looked "more janky than sweeping," and noted that he was unimpressed by the lack of "visual flourish" in the film's final boxing match.[60]

References

edit
  1. ↑ Noh, Jean (October 6, 2023). "Korea's Finecut launches 'Brave Citizen' ahead of Busan market". Screen International. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  2. ↑ Oh, Boram (October 19, 2023). "A long wait for a refreshing hit… the movie 'Brave Citizen'". Yonap News. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Brave Citizen". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
  4. ↑ "KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office: Brave Citizen (2022)". KOFIC. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  5. ↑ Shackleton, Liz (October 7, 2023). "Korea's Finecut Sells 'Brave Citizen' To Japan; Signs Up For 'Victory' – Busan". Deadline. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  6. ↑ Frater, Patrick (October 6, 2023). "Korean Vigilante Action Film, 'Brave Citizen' Secures Asian Sales Deals". Variety. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  7. ↑ Rosser, Michael (October 7, 2023). "Korean vigilante feature 'Brave Citizen' kicks off Asia deals". Screen International. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  8. ↑ LeGardye, Quinci (January 20, 2024). "Some of the Best Movies of 2024 Have Hailed From Korea—Here's What Should Be on Your Watchlist". Marie Claire. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  9. ↑ P.S, Sanghavi (August 26, 2024). "Brave Citizen (2024) Movie Ending Explained: Will Si-Min Continue Her Fight Against School Bullying?". High On Films. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 "Fantasia Festival 2024 | Brave Citizen". Fantasia Festival. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  11. 1 2 Lee, Gyu-lee (October 22, 2023). "Interview | Shin Hye-sun, Lee Jun-young discuss challenges, inspiration in 'Brave Citizen'". The Korea Times. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  12. ↑ Lee, Gyu-lee (July 5, 2024). "Lee Jun-young widens his horizons with 'Dreaming of a Freaking Fairy Tale' - The Korea Times". The Korea Times. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  13. ↑ Daniels, Robert (January 24, 2025). "Five Action Movies to Stream Now". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 Cho, Kyung-Geon (October 27, 2023). [경건한 주말] 유치한 ‘용감한 시민’과 난해한 ‘그대들은 어떻게 살 것인가’ [[Pious weekend] Childish 'Brave Citizen' and esoteric 'The Boy and the Heron']. Busan Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  15. 1 2 Phillips, Scott (July 29, 2024). "Genre Films From Around The Globe Premiere This Week At Fantasia 2024". Forbes. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  16. 1 2 3 4 Chew, David (June 7, 2024). "Film Review: Brave Citizen (2023) by Park Jin-pyo". Asian Movie Pulse. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  17. 1 2 Jang, Jeong-yoon (November 1, 2023). 히트작엔 ‘이중옥’이 있다 (용감한 시민) [The hit movie has 'Lee Joong-Ok' (Brave Citizen)]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  18. ↑ Mahanta, Sushmita (November 25, 2023). "Brave Citizen and other Korean movies and shows Cha Chung-hwa has acted in". Lifestyle Asia. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  19. 1 2 3 4 Yoo, Seon-ah (October 25, 2023). [리뷰] ‘용감한 시민’, 학교폭력에 어퍼컷을 날리다 [[Review] 'Brave Citizen' Hits Upper Cut On School Violence]. Cine21 (in Korean). Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  20. ↑ Jeong, Yu-jin (October 25, 2023). '용감한 시민', 교사 폭행 학생 응징 액션물? 시의성은 끝내줘 [시네마 프리뷰] ["Brave Citizen," an action movie that punishes a student who assaulted a teacher? The timeliness is amazing. [Cinema Preview]]. News1Korea (in Korean). Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  21. ↑ Kim, Chae-yeon (November 1, 2023). 이찬형, ‘용감한 시민’부터 ‘사채소년’까지 열일 행보 [Lee Chan-hyung works hard from 'Brave Citizen' to 'Bond Boy']. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 21, 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  22. 1 2 Hwang, So-jeong (November 7, 2023). [데일리투데이] ‘용감한 시민’ 이찬형→배현준, 신스틸러 활약 화제 [[Daily Today] "Brave Citizen" Lee Chan-hyung → Bae Hyun-joon, Scene Steeler Activities Topic]. Daily Today (in Korean). Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  23. ↑ Ham, Sang-beom (November 2, 2023). “그 빌런이 차우민이야?”…‘용감한 시민’ 속 강렬한 불량미 ‘날선 긴장감’ 선사 ["Is that the villain Cha Woo-Min?" ...Intense rogue beauty in 'Brave Citizen' presents 'Sharp Tension']. Sports Seoul (in Korean). Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  24. ↑ Kim, Seon-woo (November 1, 2023). '용감한 시민' 이중옥, 신스틸러 맹활약 ["Brave Citizen." Lee Joong-ok, the scene stealer, is very active]. JTBC News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 25, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  25. ↑ Jeong, Jin-yeong (October 24, 2023). [IS인터뷰] ‘용감한 시민’ 이준영 “최대한 악랄하게… 손숙 위로에 울컥” [[IS Interview] 'Brave Citizen' Lee Joon-young, "As vicious as possible... "Son Sook made me cry"]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  26. ↑ Park, Jae-hwan (October 30, 2023). [인터뷰] 강안나 "저를 잘 모르시겠지만... 곧, 'Popular~'" (영화 ‘독친’) [[Interview] Kang Anna, "You don't know me well... Soon, 'Popular'" (movie "My Own Friend")]. KBS Media (in Korean). Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  27. ↑ Sohn, Ji-young (August 9, 2018). "Naver Webtoon forms 'Studio N' for webtoon-based film, drama production". The Korea Herald. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  28. ↑ Lee, Seungmi (April 5, 2019). [공식]'마음의소리' 영화화 확정…스튜디오N, 인기 웹툰 9편 드라마·영화 제작 확정 [[Official] 'Sound of Mind' Movie...Studio N confirms production of 9 popular webtoons dramas and movies]. Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  29. ↑ Lee, Young-kwan (October 22, 2023). 신선함과 대중성 사이서 밀당…유행·오타쿠만 좇아가면 실패 [Push and pull between freshness and popularity...If you follow the trend and Otaku, you fail]. Nate News (in Korean). Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  30. 1 2 3 Kim, Da-sol (October 22, 2023). "[Herald Review] 'Brave Citizen,' a delightful comic action flick that punishes school bullies". The Korea Herald. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  31. ↑ Rashid, Raphael (June 7, 2023). "'We torment others': the dark side of South Korean school life". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  32. ↑ Lee, Jeong-Ho; Lee, Heesu (April 12, 2023). "Netflix Sensation 'The Glory' Spurs Bullying Crackdown in South Korea". Bloomberg UK. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  33. ↑ Park, Jun-hee (April 12, 2023). "S. Korea confirms strengthened policy against school bullying". The Korea Herald. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  34. ↑ Kim, No-eul (October 9, 2021). 신혜선 "영화 '용감한 시민' 주연 제안받고 긍정 검토 중"[공식] [Shin Hye-sun, "I received an offer for the lead role in the movie 'Brave Citizen' and am reviewing it positively"]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2025 – via Naver.
  35. ↑ Lee, Gyu-lee (November 14, 2021). "Shin Hye-sun, Lee Jun-young to star in new action movie". The Korea Times. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  36. 1 2 Kim, Hyeon-rok (November 12, 2021). 신혜선‧이준영, 영화 '용감한 시민' 캐스팅…12월 크랭크인[공식] [Shin Hye-sun and Lee Joon-young cast the movie 'Brave Citizen'...the December crank-in]. SPOTV (in Korean). Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  37. 1 2 Jeong, Yu-jin (November 12, 2021). 웹툰 '용감한 시민', 영화화…신혜선·이준영 캐스팅 [Webtoon 'Brave Citizen', Movie...Shin Hye-sun and Lee Joon-young cast]. News1Korea (in Korean). Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  38. ↑ Kang, Nae-ri (October 9, 2021). [단독]신혜선, 영화 '용감한 시민' 주인공 캐스팅…올 연말 촬영 돌입 [[Exclusive] Shin Hye-sun casts the main character of the movie 'Brave Citizen'...We'll start filming at the end of this year]. YTN (in Korean). Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  39. ↑ "'See You in My 19th Life' actress Shin Hye-sun trained for six months for her boxer avatar in 'Brave Citizen'". The Times of India. October 25, 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  40. ↑ Lim, Jeong-won (October 20, 2023). "Shin Hye-sun is the hero everyone aspires to be in 'Brave Citizen'". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  41. ↑ Mo, Shin-jung (June 13, 2024). "[Interview] Shin Hye-sun: From Drama Queen to Icon of Trust in Cinema". K-En News. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  42. ↑ Park, Dong-je (August 4, 2021). 스튜디오N, 영화·드라마·애니메이션 등 차기 라인업 공개..‘기대감 급증’ [Studio N unveils its next lineup of movies, dramas, animations, etc.. 'Expected surge']. Breaking News. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  43. ↑ Nam, Yu-jeong (August 4, 2021). "웹툰 '마음의 소리' '용감한 시민' '상중하' 영화로 만들어진다" 웹툰 ‘마음의 소리’ ‘용감한 시민’ ‘상중하’ 영화로 만들어진다 [Webtoon 'Sound of the Heart', 'Brave Citizen', 'High, Middle, High' Movies to be made]. Busan Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  44. 1 2 KOFIC 영화관 입장권 통합전산망: 영화정보 용감한 시민 (Brave Citizen) [KOFIC Movie Theater Tickets Integrated Computer Network: Movie Information Brave Citizen]. KOFIC (in Korean). July 15, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  45. ↑ Junaini, Hidzir (January 29, 2024). "'Badland Hunters' review: dumb but dynamic dystopian action". NME. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  46. ↑ Pyo, Kyung-min (January 16, 2024). "Korea's action stars unite in Netflix's upcoming 'Badland Hunters'". The Korea Times. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  47. 1 2 Shackleton, Liz (October 6, 2022). "Korea's Finecut Picks Up Hit Webtoon Adaptation 'Brave Citizen' As Busan Market Kicks Off". Deadline. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  48. 1 2 3 Kim, Da-sol (November 3, 2023). "[Box office] Movies in theaters this week". The Korea Herald. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  49. ↑ "12th Korean Film Festival : Brave Citizen". Cinema Galeries. July 15, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  50. ↑ Nam, Ji-woo (April 12, 2024). [특집] 동경에서 사랑으로, 차우민 [[Special] From Tokyo to love, Cha Woo-min]. Cine21 (in Korean). Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  51. ↑ 용감한 시민, 2023 [Brave Citizen, 2023]. Naver Movies. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  52. ↑ Brave Citizen (2023). Retrieved July 16, 2025 – via Letterboxd.
  53. ↑ 영화 [용감한 시민] 상세정보 [Film [Brave Citizen] Details]. Cine21 (in Korean). Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  54. ↑ "Lee Jun-young emerges as breakout star of Netflix romance series 'Melo Movie'". The Korea Times. February 18, 2025. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  55. ↑ Kim, Da-sol (October 24, 2023). "Lee Jun-young shows new level of villain in latest role". The Korea Herald. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  56. ↑ Kautzer, A. W. (July 26, 2024). "Brave Citizen – Fantasia Film Festival 2024". The Movie Isle. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  57. ↑ Fremont, Lisa (July 24, 2024). "FANTASIA 24 REVIEW: BRAVE CITIZEN". Haddonfield Horror. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  58. ↑ Yim, Seung-hye (December 14, 2023). "School violence, as told by three different films". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  59. ↑ Lee, Golden (July 20, 2024). "Fantasia XXVIII Review: In BRAVE CITIZEN, Shin Hae-Sun Takes Bullies To School!". Film Combat Syndicate. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  60. ↑ Vincent, Maxance (July 24, 2024). "Fantasia Fest 2024: Brave Citizen Meows Fantasia Audience Away". The Cosmic Circus. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brave_Citizen&oldid=1347758868"