Marco resides in the Philippines, caring for his sick mother, while also participating in fights within illegal stadiums in the country. With a complex heritage as the offspring of a Korean father and a Filipino mother, Marco has tirelessly sought his estranged father's whereabouts. His sole motivation is to secure funds for his mother's crucial surgery, yet his relentless pursuit has yielded no results. Following a harrowing encounter with a gang that ultimately lands him in the hospital, a lawyer suddenly emerges, claiming to represent his long-lost father. Seizing the opportunity, they hastily embark on a journey to South Korea that very night. However, during the flight, Marco finds himself in an unsettling encounter with a mysterious individual who possesses an uncanny knowledge beyond what initially meets the eye.[8][9]
Upon Marco's arrival in South Korea, he is immediately ambushed by an unnamed assassin known only as "Nobleman," the very same individual he had an unsettling encounter with on the plane. He soon discovers that he is being relentlessly pursued by a dangerous group of individuals. Alongside the Nobleman, Marco finds himself a target of Han Yi-sa, a wealthy heir with intentions of claiming his father's vast fortune, and Yoon-ju, a mysterious woman with whom Marco unexpectedly reunites in South Korea. Caught in a whirlwind of unpredictability and madness, Marco becomes entangled in a web of uncertainty. Amidst this chaotic scenario, he is compelled to confront a shocking truth that will shatter everything he once believed about his past and present.[10][11]
Cast
Kim Seon-ho as Nobleman (Gwigongja), an unidentified pursuer who turns Marco's surroundings into a mess.[12][11]
The first script reading was held on December 3, 2021[20] and filming began on December 10, 2021.[5] The film's shooting location were in Jangseong, Gokseong, Jeju Island, and overseas.[21][22]Kim Seon-ho departed for Thailand on March 31, 2022, for the shooting of the film.[23][1]
Release
Domestic release
Originally titled Sad Tropic (Korean: 슬픈 열대; RR: Seulpeun Yeoldae) on November 30, 2022, the movie distributor Next Entertainment World announced the new title as The Childe and shared that the featured film was planned to be released in 2023.[24] On May 16, 2023 it was reported that the film will be released theatrically on June 21, 2023, in South Korea.[25]
International release
On May 16, 2023, it was reported that the film The Childe will be released theatrically on June 21, 2023 in Taiwan,[26] on July 5 in the Philippines,[27] and on July 27 in Thailand.[28][29]
On May 17, 2023 Screendaily reported that The Childe was sold to several international distributors, including Well Go USA (North America), MovieCloud (Taiwan), Sahamongkolfilm International (Thailand), Laon Company+ (the Philippines), Encore Inflight, and Clover Films (Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, East Timor, Hong Kong, and Macau).[29] The film was also released in India on August 4.[30]
In North America, The Childe was released on June 30, 2023.[31] The film also took part in several film festivals. It was screened on July 14, 2023 at the 2023 Dallas Asian Film Festival.[32]TheChilde had its Quebec premiere on August 2, 2023 at the 27th Fantasia International Film Festival.[33]TheChilde was also featured in the Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) Season 17 lineup, with a special encore presentation during the South Korea Cinema Showcase on October 6, 2023 at AMC Newcity 14 in Chicago.[34] Additionally, Eckerd College screened The Childe as part of The International Cinema Series on September 29, 2023 in Florida.[35]
In Europe, the film garnered attention from various film festivals. On August 9, 2023, it was announced that The Childe had been invited to the Òrbita section of the 56th Sitges Film Festival, which took place from October 5 to 15, 2023 in Sitges, Catalonia, Spain.[36][37] On August 21, 2023, it was announced that The Childe had been chosen as the opening film for L'Étrange Festival - XXIXème édition in Paris, France, making its European premiere on September 5 at the Forum des Images.[38][39] The Childe also participated in the International Competition for the New Genre Grand Prize and the Audience Award at the festival.[40]
The Childe was featured in the lineup of Asian films screened at the 17th Lisbon International Horror Film Festival, held in Lisbon, Portugal, from September 5 to 11, 2023.[41][42][43] The film was also included in the Korean films showcased at the 12th Korean Film Festival Frankfurt, held from October 25 to 29, 2023, in Germany.[44] Furthermore, it was screened at the Canary Islands Ciudad de La Laguna Calavera Island Fantastic Film Festival, taking place from November 10 to 19, 2023,[45] and the 33rd Fantastic Film Festival of the University of Málaga, also known as Fancine Málaga, at Cine Albéniz in Málaga, Spain, on November 11 and 14, 2023.[46] It was also featured in the 7th edition of the Maniatic Film Festival, taking place from November 20 to 25 at the ABC Park Cinemas in Spain, on November 24.[47]
The Childe had a strong presence in Asian film festivals as well. It was part of the selection of 16 South Korean and Indonesian films showcased at the "Korea Indonesia Film Festival" (KIFF) held from October 20 to 22, 2023, across CGV Cinemas Indonesia in four cities in Indonesia: Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya.[48] Continuing its journey, the film was also featured in the "2023 ASEAN-Korea Film Festival" held from November 27 to November 30, 2023, at CGV Mall Pacific Place in Jakarta. This festival showcased a lineup of nine films from Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and South Korea. The Childe was screened on November 28.[49]
The Childe had theatrical releases in Spain, titled "El Bastardo," scheduled for February 23, 2024.[50] The film is also part of the lineup of South Korean films to be showcased in the Korean Horizons segment at the 22nd Florence Korea Film Festival, happening from March 21 to 30, 2024, in Firenze, Italy,[51] and was screened on March 22, 2024 at 22:30 at Cinema La Compagnia.[52]
The Japanese release of the film, titled "Kikoushi," took place on April 12, 2024.[53] On April 8th, Kim Seon-ho made a surprise appearance at the Japan premiere, joining Korean culture journalist Masayuki Furuya [jp] for a stage greeting attended by around 600 people. Furthermore, an exhibition showcasing Kim's film costumes were held at Marunouchi Piccadilly in Shinjuku, Tokyo, and Namba Parks Cinema, Osaka. The exhibition begin on April 12th to coincide with the theatrical release of the film, which also started on the same day.[54][55][56] It will also be screened at the 36th Fukuoka Asian Film Festival on September 7 to 8, 2024.[57]
Home media
The Childe launched a simultaneous VOD service for IPTV and theaters on July 18, 2023, through various platforms such as IPTV (Genie TV, SK Btv, LG U+TV), Home Choice, Google Play, Wavve, Naver Series on, KT skylife, and Cine Fox.[58]
In February 2024, The Childe premiered on terrestrial TV on SBS channel as part of the 2024 Lunar New Year holiday special film. It aired at 22:30 p.m. KST on Saturday, February 10.[59] The movie ranked 8th in the Nielsen TOP 20 household viewership ratings with a 4.3% rating and 5th in the TOP 20 Viewers Nationwide with 910,000 viewers.[60] As part of its special movies programming, cable channel OCN broadcast The Childe on Saturday, February 11, at 10:00 p.m..[61] On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 10:20 p.m., SBS channel aired a re-run of The Childe.[62] The movie ranked 15th in the Nielsen TOP 20 household viewership ratings with a 3.4% rating and 18th in the TOP 20 Viewers Nationwide with 345,000 viewers.[63]
Reception
On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 94% based on reviews from 16 critics as well as 95% based on reviews from audiences.[64]
Peter Marsh of the South China Morning Post gave The Childe three out of five rating, said that, "K-drama heartthrob Kim Seon-ho steals the show... injecting his well-groomed assassin with a refreshing dose of self-effacing irreverence... Like a shotgun-toting episode of Succession, The Childe escalates into a greed-fuelled bloodbath."[65] Cary Darling of Houston Chronicle stated that, "This twisty thriller...is what might happen if Quentin Tarantino, with a bit of an assist from John Woo, Park Chan-wook's Old Boy and the spirit of Alfred Hitchcock, had directed an episode of Succession."[66]
Newsen reported audience reviews, with some stating, "Exciting chase action, unpredictable story, and a feast of attractive characters." The film The Childe is receiving enthusiastic acclaim, with actual audience members expressing their thoughts such as, "2 hours without a dull moment" and another viewer mentioning, "Director Park Hoon-jung's action, a touch of black comedy, and a new frontier in noir." It is worth noting that The Childe is the only film among the top 10 box office hits that is not accessible to young audiences (R-Rated). Despite this restriction, the film has maintained high rankings in both box office revenue and reservation rates, creating expectations for a successful box office run.[67]
On July 11, 2023, CBI Pictures announced that "The Childe" had become the second-highest-grossing South Korean film in Indonesia.[68] As of August 25, 2023, the film has continued to hold its place among the Top Ten Korean Commercial Films of 2023, according to the Kobiz Database.[69]
Accolades
Awards and nominations
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
^ abcKim, Na-yeon. "박훈정 감독, '귀공자'로 컴백..김선호 "가르침 주는 은인"" [Director Park Hoon-jung makes a comeback as 'Gwi Gongja'.. Kim Seon-ho "A teaching-giving sages"]. Naver News (in Korean). Retrieved May 17, 2023.
^ abLee Yeju (April 17, 2023). "김선호, 영화 '귀공자'로 6월 스크린 데뷔[공식]" [Kim Seon-ho, screen debut in June with the movie 'The Childe' [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Retrieved April 17, 2023 – via Naver.
^Cho Ji-young (May 16, 2023). "[공식] "섬뜩한 악역"...김선호 스크린 복귀작 '귀공자', 6월 21일 개봉 확정" [[Official] "The creepy villain"... Kim Seon-ho's return to the screen, 'The Scion', confirmed to be released on June 21st] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Retrieved May 16, 2023 – via Naver.
^ abSon Jung-bin (April 17, 2023). "김선호 영화 복귀...주연작 '귀공자' 6월에 나온다" [Kim Seon-ho returns to the movies... The lead role in 'The Scion' will be released in June] (in Korean). Newsis. Retrieved April 17, 2023 – via Naver.
^ abcdePark, Jin-young (May 11, 2023). "김선호, 첫 영화로 공식석상 선다 '귀공자' 제작보고회 참석" [Kim Seon-ho will attend the press conference of 'The Childe' his first movie]. 아이뉴스24 (in Korean). Retrieved May 11, 2023.
^Jeon Hyung-hwa (November 1, 2021). "[단독]김선호, 영화 '슬픈열대'로 복귀..CF재개·연기활동 시작 [종합]" [[Exclusive] Kim Seon-ho returns to the movie 'Sad Tropical'..CF resumes and acting activities begin [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Star News. Retrieved April 6, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jo Yeon-kyung (October 20, 2021). "[단독] 고아라, 박훈정 감독 '슬픈열대' 여주인공" [[Exclusive] Go Ara and Park Hoon-jung as the female lead in 'Sad Tropical'] (in Korean). JTBC News. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
^"'귀공자', 안티히어로 김선호의 존재감...캐릭터 액션 맛집 [봤어영]" ['Gwi Gongja', the presence of anti-hero Kim Seon-ho... Character action restaurant [I saw it]]. 이데일리 (in Korean). June 9, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
^ abc"'귀공자' 이기영·허준석·저스틴 하비·정라엘, '박훈정 사단' 특급 조연 활약" ['Gwi Gongja' Lee Ki-young, Heo Jun-seok, Justin Harvey, Jeong Rael, 'Park Hoon-jung' special assistant role]. Naver (in Korean). Retrieved July 4, 2023.
^ abcBae, Hyo-joo (July 4, 2023). "'마녀2' 나왔던 그 소녀 '귀공자'에도..박훈정 사단 신스틸러들" [Even in the girl 'Wise Gongja' who appeared in 'Witch 2'.. Park Hoon-jung's division new stealers]. Newsen.
^"'폭군', 박훈정 사단 배우를 찾아라" ["The Tyrant," find Park Hoon-Jung's actor muses]. 뉴스컬처 (NEWSCULTURE) (in Korean). August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
^Kim, Beom-seok (May 16, 2024). "'범죄도시4' 영업꾼 김호준 "마동석 선배와 투샷, 가문의 영광이죠" [EN:인터뷰]" [‘Crime City 4’ salesman Kim Ho-jun “Two shots with senior Ma Dong-seok, it’s an honor for the family” [EN: Interview]]. m.entertain.naver.com. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
^Kim Ji-hye (November 18, 2021). "솔트 "김선호, 내달 3일 '슬픈열대' 대본 리딩..그외 일정 논의중"[공식입장]" [Salt "Kim Seon-ho, reading the script for 'Sad Tropical' on the 3rd of next month.. Other schedules are being discussed" [Official position]] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Retrieved April 6, 2022 – via Naver.
^"'귀공자' 박훈정 "김선호 캐스팅 고민했으나 대안 없었다, 결과는 대만족"" ['Gwi Gongja' Park Hoon-jung "I was thinking about casting Kim Seon-ho, but there was no alternative, I'm very satisfied with the result."]. iMBC 연예 (in Korean). May 22, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
^Ko Seung-ah (April 6, 2022). "김선호, 사생활 논란 후 태국서 포착...'슬픈 열대' 촬영으로 활동 재개" [Kim Seon-ho caught in Thailand after privacy controversy Resuming activities while filming 'Sad Tropical'] (in Korean). News 1. Retrieved April 6, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park Jin-young (December 30, 2022). "김선호 첫 영화 '슬픈 열대';'더 차일드' 제목 확정...2023년 개봉" [Kim Seon-ho's first movie "Sad Tropical" → "The Childe" has been confirmed...Released in 2023.]. inews24 (in Korean). Retrieved December 30, 2022.
^"映画『貴公子』、キム・ソンホ&カン・テジュ&キム・ガンウ&コ・アラが語る撮影の裏側!激しいアクション満載のメイキング解禁" [The movie "Kikoushi", Kim Seon-ho & Kang Tae-joo & Kim Kang-woo & Go Ara talk about behind the shooting! The ban on making full of intense action]. gooニュース (in Japanese). April 1, 2024. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
^"『貴公子』キム・ソンホ、サプライズ登壇に大歓声「忘れられない時間になりそう」" ["Kikoushi" Kim Seon-ho cheered loudly at the surprise stage "It's going to be an unforgettable time"]. Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). April 8, 2024. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
^"『貴公子』キム・ソンホ、サプライズ登壇に大歓声「忘れられない時間になりそう」" ["Kikoushi" Kim Seon-ho cheered loudly at the surprise stage "It's going to be an unforgettable time"]. cinemacafe.net (in Japanese). April 8, 2024. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
^"映画『貴公子』第36回福岡アジア映画祭にて上映決定!|映画『貴公子』公式note" [The movie "Kikoko" will be screened at the 36th Fukuoka Asian Film Festival! |Official note of the movie "Kikoushi"]. note(ノート) (in Japanese). July 10, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
^"김선호 '귀공자' 극장 동시 IPTV·VOD 서비스 시작" [Kim Seon-ho's 'Gwigongja' theatre simultaneous IPTV and VOD service started]. JTBC (in Korean). July 18, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
^"'재벌X형사' 결방...설날 특선영화 '귀공자' 편성 "김선호 온다"" ['Unanswered Question' is cancelled... New Year's special movie 'Gwigongja' is organised "Kim Seon-ho is coming"]. 종합일간지 : 신문/웹/모바일 등 멀티 채널로 국내외 실시간 뉴스와 수준 높은 정보를 제공 (in Korean). February 10, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
^Bae, Hyo-joo (June 26, 2023). ""뛰는 또라X 위에 나는 또라X" 김선호 '귀공자' 나홀로 청불 흥행 중" ["I'm an idiot on top of the running idiot X" Kim Seon-ho's 'Gwi Gongja' is a box office hit alone.]. Newsen.
^Hwang, So-young (April 8, 2024). 60회 맞은 '백상예술대상' TV·영화·연극 후보 공개 [60th 'Baeksang Arts Awards' TV, Film and Theater Candidates Revealed] (in Korean). JTBC News. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024 – via Naver.
^Lee, Soo-hyun (April 25, 2024). 60회 백상예술대상, 인기상 투표 오늘(25일) 시작...김수현→임지연 후보 [The 60th Baeksang Arts Awards, Popularity Award voting begins today (25th)...Candidate Kim Soo-hyun→Lim Ji-yeon] (in Korean). Top Star News. Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024 – via Nate.
^Kim, Eun-ok (November 6, 2023). "'제44회 청룡영화상' 최종 후보작 및 후보자 발표...'밀수', '콘크리트 유토피아' 최다 노미네이트 - 한국사진방송 대한민국예술-" ['44th Blue Dragon Film Award' finalist and candidate announcement... 'Smilk', 'Concrete Utopia' most nominations - Korea Photo Broadcasting Korea Arts-]. koreaarttv.com. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
^Nam, Yoo-jung; Lee, Woo-young (August 27, 2023). "누가 받아도 될 정도로 훌륭한 후보들, 그중 최고는 누구?" [Great candidates to anyone can accept, who is the best of them?]. Busan Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved August 27, 2023.
^박, 진영. "[2023 부일영화상] 김선호, 신인연기상 수상 "행복하고 영광"" [[2023 Buil Film Award] Kim Seon-ho won the Rookie of the Year Award "Happy and honoured"]. 조이뉴스24 (in Korean). Retrieved October 5, 2023.
^Lee Ha-neul (November 15, 2023). "신인 남우상 '귀공자' 김선호, "영화 작업이 처음인데 너무 영광이다" (제59회 대종상)" [Kim Seon-ho, Rookie Actor Award for 'The Noble Man', "It's my first time working in a movie, and I'm so honored" (59th Grand Bell Awards)]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
^"제43회 황금촬영상시상식 개최" [The 43rd Golden Filming Award Ceremony]. 파이낸스투데이 (in Korean). October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
^OSEN (October 19, 2023). "[사진]강태주,'신인상 저격'" [[Photo] Kang Tae-joo, 'Rookie Actor Award Sniper']. m.osen.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved October 19, 2023.