A Hard Day

A Hard Day

Detective Ko Geon Soo, played by acclaimed actor Lee Sun Kyun, finds his life spiraling out of control in this gripping South Korean crime thriller, A Hard Day. On the day of his mother’s funeral, Ko is involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident. Desperate to avoid scandal and internal affairs scrutiny, he hides the body in his mother's coffin—unknowingly setting off a deadly chain of events. Soon, Ko becomes the target of a mysterious blackmailer who knows his secret. That man turns out to be Lieutenant Park Chang Min, portrayed by the intense Jo Jin Woong, a high-ranking officer with a terrifying agenda. As Ko tries to stay ahead of Park, the game of cat-and-mouse escalates into a war of manipulation, betrayal, and murder. Each step draws Ko deeper into corruption and desperation. What sets A Hard Day apart is its masterful balance of tension, dark humor, and action. Director Kim Seong Hun delivers relentless pacing, while the film explores themes like moral decay, justice, and the personal cost of covering up the truth. The high-stakes battle between Ko and Park makes every twist unpredictable, keeping audiences glued to the screen. With award-winning performances and razor-sharp cinematography, A Hard Day has become one of the most talked-about Korean thrillers. It's a must-watch for fans of smart crime dramas like Memories of Murder and The Chaser. Search terms like “Korean action thriller,” “Lee Sun Kyun movies,” and “A Hard Day plot explained” have made this film a global streaming favorite.

Details

🙂 Native Title: 끝까지 간다 (Kkeutkkaji Ganda)
🌎 Also Known As: To the End, Take It to the End, A Hard Day
🎭 Genres: Action, Thriller, Crime, Mystery
🏷 Tags: Corrupt Cop, Hit and Run, Cover-Up, Police, Dark Humor, Car Accident, Blackmail, Chase, Suspense
Screenwriters: Kim Seong Hun
🎬 Directors: Kim Seong Hun
🇰🇷 Country: South Korea
🎬 Release Date: May 29, 2014
📺 Original Network: None (Theatrical release)
Duration: 111 minutes
🔞 Content Rating: 15+ – Teens 15 or older

  • The Hit-and-Run Incident – The opening accident sets the film’s tone with raw tension and moral dilemma, instantly grabbing viewer attention.

  • Hiding the Body in a Coffin – One of the most shocking scenes, blending dark humor with suspense in a uniquely Korean thriller style.

  • The Parking Garage Confrontation – A claustrophobic and nerve-wracking scene where Geon Soo narrowly avoids being caught.

  • The Rooftop Showdown – A climactic moment that brings all storylines to a high-stakes resolution between Ko Geon Soo and Park Chang Min.

  • CCTV Footage Reveal – This turning point exposes the blackmail plot, escalating the tension and shifting the power dynamic.

  • Seoul’s Urban Streets – The bustling city is used to emphasize chaos and corruption.

  • Funeral Home Interiors – Realistic and eerie sets add to the tension of the corpse concealment scenes.

  • Underground Parking Garages – Tight and dimly lit, enhancing the thriller atmosphere.

  • Police Station Sets – Used to highlight the systemic corruption theme.

  • Industrial Rooftops – Provide the setting for the final confrontation and visual drama.

  • Dark Color Palette – Enhances the film’s gritty, noir tone.

  • Realistic Police Uniforms – Emphasize authenticity and rank hierarchy.

  • Natural Lighting and Shadows – Create a sense of realism and suspense.

  • Weathered Civilian Costumes – Reflect the psychological and physical stress of characters.

  • Cinematic Framing – Tight shots and clever angles increase claustrophobia and tension.

  • Corruption in Authority – A scathing critique of internal decay within law enforcement.

  • Moral Ambiguity – Challenges viewers to question right vs. wrong in desperate circumstances.

  • Survival Instincts – Explores how far a man can go to protect his career and freedom.

  • Power Dynamics – Examines manipulation between corrupt cops and desperate men.

  • Justice and Irony – The ending cleverly delivers poetic justice, subverting expectations.

  • Box Office Hit – Surpassed 3 million admissions in South Korea, making it a commercial success.

  • International Remake – Remade as a Chinese film titled Peace Breaker (2017).

  • Award-Winning Script – Won Best Screenplay at several Korean film festivals.

  • Debut Feature – Directed by Kim Seong Hun, earning critical acclaim for his first feature.

  • Praised for Editing – Noted for its seamless pacing and nail-biting transitions.

Here is a comprehensive list of awards and nominations received by the South Korean film “A Hard Day” (2014):


🏆 Awards Won

  • 51st Grand Bell Awards (2014):

    • Best Director – Kim Seong-hun

    • Best Cinematography – Kim Tae-seong

    • Best Lighting – Kim Gyeong-seok

  • 35th Blue Dragon Film Awards (2014):

    • Best Supporting Actor – Cho Jin-woong

    • Best Screenplay – Kim Seong-hun

    • Best Editing – Kim Chang-ju

  • 15th Busan Film Critics Awards (2014):

    • Best Screenplay – Kim Seong-hun 

  • 1st Korean Film Producers Association Awards (2014):

    • Best Film – “A Hard Day”​

    • Best Director – Kim Seong-hun​

    • Best Editing – Kim Chang-ju ​

  • 6th KOFRA Film Awards (2015):

    • Best Director – Kim Seong-hun ​

  • 20th Chunsa Film Art Awards (2015):

    • Best Director (Grand Prix) – Kim Seong-hun ​

  • 51st Baeksang Arts Awards (2015):

    • Best Director – Kim Seong-hun​

    • Best Actor – Lee Sun-kyun and Cho Jin-woong ​

  • 10th Max Movie Awards (2015):

    • Best Supporting Actor – Cho Jin-woong ​

  • 18th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (2014):

    • It Star Award for Best Actor – Cho Jin-woong

There is no public information or credible reports indicating that any romantic relationships developed between the cast members of the 2014 South Korean film “A Hard Day” during or after its production. The lead actors, Lee Sun-kyun and Cho Jin-woong, have maintained professional relationships with their colleagues, and no evidence suggests any off-screen romances stemming from this film.

Trailer

OST

Gallery

Cast

Lee Sun Kyun
Lee Sun Kyun
Park Bo-Gum korean actor
Park Bo Gum

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