The Negotiation
In The Negotiation (2018), Son Ye Jin stars as Ha Chae Yoon, a skilled crisis negotiator for the Seoul Metropolitan Police. When a ruthless arms dealer, Min Tae Goo (played by Hyun Bin), takes hostages and initiates a tense standoff, Ha Chae Yoon is called in for what could be the most dangerous negotiation of her career. With the clock ticking, she must outmaneuver the cunning criminal, who always seems one step ahead. As the tension rises, Ha Chae Yoon discovers shocking truths behind the hostage crisis. Kim Sang Ho as Ahn Hyuk Soo and Jang Young Nam as Section Chief Han add layers to the intricate web of corruption and deception surrounding the case. Meanwhile, Jo Young Jin as Chairman Koo and Kim Min Sang as Deputy Department Head Park play crucial roles in the unfolding mystery. Every second counts as Ha Chae Yoon tries to uncover Min Tae Goo’s true motive before it's too late. Director Lee Jong Suk masterfully builds suspense, combining psychological mind games with explosive action. The film’s intense one-on-one confrontations, backed by a gripping screenplay and stunning cinematography, make The Negotiation a must-watch for fans of crime dramas and psychological thrillers. With Hyun Bin portraying a rare villain role and Son Ye Jin delivering a powerful performance, The Negotiation keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. Will Ha Chae Yoon be able to break through Min Tae Goo’s cold exterior and save the hostages, or is she merely a pawn in a much bigger game? Find out in this pulse-pounding thriller!
Details
🙂 Native Title: 협상 (Hyeobsang)
🌎 Also Known As: The Negotiation
🎭 Genres: Action, Crime, Thriller
🏷 Tags: Hostage Situation, Crisis Negotiation, Police Procedural, Psychological Duel, Cat-and-Mouse Game
✍ Screenwriter: Choi Sung-hyun
🎬 Director: Lee Jong-seok
🇰🇷 Country: South Korea
🎬 Release Date: September 19, 2018
📺 Original Network: N/A (Theatrical Release)
⏰ Duration: 114 minutes
🔞 Content Rating: 15+ (violence and language)
Best Scenes
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Opening Hostage Crisis: The film begins with a tense standoff where Inspector Ha Chae-yoon (Son Ye-jin) confronts kidnappers holding a couple hostage, setting the stage for the high-stakes drama that follows.
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First Encounter Between Negotiator and Villain: The initial negotiation between Ha Chae-yoon and Min Tae-gu (Hyun Bin) introduces a psychological duel, highlighting their contrasting personas and setting the tone for their interactions.
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Revelation of Min Tae-gu’s Motives: A pivotal scene where Min Tae-gu reveals his true intentions, adding depth to his character and shifting the narrative’s direction.
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Climactic Confrontation: The intense final showdown between Ha Chae-yoon and Min Tae-gu brings the story to a thrilling conclusion, showcasing their strategic prowess.
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Emotional Flashbacks: Interspersed flashbacks provide insight into the characters’ backstories, enriching the narrative and adding emotional weight to their decisions.
Filming Locations
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Seoul, South Korea: Primary filming took place in Seoul, utilizing various locations to depict the intense negotiation scenarios.
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Bangkok, Thailand: Key scenes were filmed in Bangkok, adding authenticity to the international hostage situation portrayed in the film.
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Indoor Sets: Detailed sets were constructed to represent the negotiation rooms, enhancing the film’s claustrophobic tension.
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Urban Landscapes: The use of urban settings underscores the film’s modern context and heightens the realism of the hostage scenarios.
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Police Headquarters: Scenes depicting law enforcement operations were shot in realistic settings, providing an authentic backdrop to the narrative.
Visual Design and Costumes
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Realistic Costuming: Characters are dressed in attire that reflects their professional roles, such as police uniforms and business attire, grounding the film in reality.
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Minimalist Set Design: The negotiation rooms are designed with simplicity, focusing attention on character interactions and the psychological tension.
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Lighting Techniques: Strategic lighting is used to emphasize the emotional states of characters, with shadows and highlights enhancing the suspense.
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Color Palette: A subdued color scheme mirrors the film’s serious tone, utilizing neutral and dark hues to reflect the gravity of the situations.
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Close-Up Shots: Frequent use of close-ups captures subtle facial expressions, intensifying the psychological drama between negotiator and hostage-taker.
Themes and Messages
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Psychological Warfare: The film delves into the mental strategies employed by both negotiator and criminal, exploring themes of manipulation and control.
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Moral Ambiguity: Characters operate in shades of gray, challenging viewers to question the ethics of their actions and decisions.
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Crisis Management: The narrative highlights the complexities and pressures of handling high-stakes situations, shedding light on the negotiator’s role.
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Personal Redemption: Both main characters seek redemption for past actions, adding depth to their motivations and the storyline.
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Trust and Betrayal: The film examines the fragile nature of trust in life-and-death situations, showcasing how betrayal can alter outcomes.
Interesting Facts
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Villainous Role for Hyun Bin: This film marks Hyun Bin’s first portrayal of an antagonist, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
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Directorial Debut: The Negotiation is the first feature film directed by Lee Jong-suk, marking his transition from assistant director to lead director.
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Real-Time Narrative: The story unfolds over a tight 21-hour timeline, adding urgency and realism to the plot.
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On-Screen Chemistry: Despite limited shared screen time, the dynamic between Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin received acclaim, leading to future collaborations.
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International Release: The film was distributed in over 22 countries, reflecting its global appeal and the universal themes of negotiation and crisis management.
Awards
The Negotiation (2018) did not receive any major awards or nominations.
Real-Life Loves on Set
A real-life romance blossomed between Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin, the lead actors of the Korean film The Negotiation (2018). Initially, both stars denied dating rumors that emerged after they were spotted together in the United States in early 2019, asserting they were just friends. However, their relationship was later confirmed on January 1, 2021, when their respective agencies announced they had developed romantic feelings after working together on the drama Crash Landing on You (2019–2020). The couple’s on-screen chemistry transitioned into a real-life relationship, culminating in their marriage in March 2022.
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