Thriller 'Hard Hit' combines suspense with flashes of terror

Actor Jo Woo-jin in a scene from “Hard Hit” Courtesy of CJ ENM

By Kwak Yeon-soo

“Hard Hit” is a fast-paced and twist-heavy thriller that combines supercharged suspense with flashes of terror, director Kim Chang-ju said of his debut feature film.

Kim, an acclaimed film editor whose works include thrillers “The Terror, Live” (2013) and “A Hard Day” (2014), explained that he wants audiences to feel as if they are riding on a terrifying roller coaster with the characters in the film.

“It's not just the dramatic twists and turns that get the audience hooked on this film, but also the psychological horror or the feeling that death is just around the corner,” he said during a press conference for the film, Thursday.

As suggested by the Korean title, which literally means “Withheld Number,” the story unfolds as the main protagonist receives a call from an unknown number.

One day, banking center manager Sung-kyu (Jo Woo-jin) receives a call from a stranger who tells him that a bomb has been planted under his car. The person then commands him to fulfill his demands or he will detonate the bomb. Unable to get any help, Sung-kyu faces a tough situation where he must make wise decisions to save his life and the lives of his children.

Jo, who is in his first leading role in his acting career, said he felt immense pressure so that he was like “a sausage on a hotplate.”

“It would be a lie to say there wasn't any pressure. I was constantly worried and had lots of doubts. But I thought Sung-kyu must have bigger fear and stress than I do. So I tried to concentrate on my daily task and pour my energy into each scene,” Jo said.

The 42-year-old actor said he was drawn to the gripping script and psychological twist of “Hard Hit.”

“Director Kim has written an amazing script. It evoked feelings as if I was being dragged into the plot. I was impressed by how speedily this movie unfolds,” he said.

Actress Lee Jae-in, who plays Sung-kyu's stubborn daughter Hye-in who is riding in his car, said she focused on displaying the complicated relationship with her father.

“The emotive subplot that centers on the changing relationship between a father and a daughter is another striking element of the film. Hye-in is a teenage girl who has attractive personality traits. Facing a life-threatening situation, she shifts out of a rebellious stage and gets along with her father to overcome it,” she said.

“Hard Hit” will hit local theaters in June.