South Korea · Film · 2013
Secretly Greatly
Synopsis
Three operatives from North Korea's elite 5446 Corps are sent across the border to South Korea and told to disappear into ordinary small-town life until they are needed. Won Ryu-hwan, the top graduate of his class, takes the hardest cover to maintain: posing as the village idiot, a role that hides just how sharp his instincts for reading people really are.
Alongside him, Hae-rang, the son of a high-ranking North Korean official, plays an aspiring rock musician, while Hae-jin, the youngest agent North Korea has ever trained, poses as an ordinary high school student. All three settle into their disguises long enough to form real attachments to the town and the people in it, attachments none of them were supposed to develop.
Their mission changes without warning when political upheaval back home reshapes what their superiors want from them. Instead of the assignment they trained for, the three are ordered to take their own lives rather than risk capture after a military incident, and their former instructor, Colonel Kim Tae-won, crosses into the South personally to make sure the order is carried out.
Secretly Greatly stars Kim Soo-hyun as Won Ryu-hwan, Park Ki-woong as Hae-rang, and Lee Hyun-woo as Hae-jin, and pairs its espionage plot with the comedy of three trained operatives struggling to stay in character as harmless neighbors.
Secretly Greatly cast
Billing not confirmed for these names.
Best scenes
- Won Ryu Hwan’s rooftop battle, showcasing Kim Soo Hyun’s intense performance and the film’s action-packed climax.
- The heartfelt reunion scene between the three spies, blending camaraderie with bittersweet emotion.
- Lee Hae Rang’s dramatic confession, a turning point that reveals his inner struggles.
- The comedic first meeting of the spies, where their clashing personalities create lighthearted chaos.
- The emotional final goodbye, leaving a lasting impression with its powerful message of sacrifice.
Filming locations
- Seoul’s bustling streets, serving as the backdrop for action-packed chase scenes.
- Traditional Korean alleys, enhancing the spies’ cover as villagers.
- Urban rooftops, where high-stakes confrontations unfold.
- A peaceful rural village setting, contrasting the intense spy activities.
- Abandoned buildings, adding a gritty, realistic feel to action sequences.
Visual design and costumes
- The spies’ undercover disguises, such as Kim Soo Hyun’s unassuming villager attire.
- Military-inspired outfits during flashback scenes, emphasizing their North Korean roots.
- High-energy fight choreography, perfectly complemented by sharp costume design.
- Subtle color palettes reflecting the characters’ emotional states.
- Attention to detail in blending comedic and serious visual elements.
Themes and messages
- Sacrifice for duty, exploring the high personal cost of loyalty and patriotism.
- Hidden identities, portraying the emotional toll of living a double life.
- Friendship and trust, despite the odds stacked against the trio of spies.
- The cost of ambition, highlighting the sacrifices made to achieve one’s goals.
- Cultural contrasts, illustrating differences and similarities between North and South Korea.
Interesting facts
- The movie is based on a popular webtoon titled Covertness.
- It broke multiple box office records in South Korea upon release.
- Kim Soo Hyun trained rigorously, including physical combat and dialect coaching, for his role.
- The film’s emotional and comedic balance earned it widespread international acclaim.
- The trio of Kim Soo Hyun, Lee Hyun Woo, and Park Ki Woong gained massive popularity for their performances.