Seo Bok
A clone's first journey outside the lab.
Seo Bok, also known as Seo Bok: Project Clone, is a 2021 South Korean science fiction action thriller. Directed and written by Lee Yong-ju, it features Park Bo-gum as the first human clone and Gong Yoo as a former intelligence agent. Originally set for a December 2020 release, the film was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was sold to 56 countries beforehand and debuted on April 15, 2021, both in theaters across South Korea and several Asian nations, and on the streaming service TVING. This marked the first time a Korean film launched simultaneously in theaters and on an over-the-top media platform.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Lee Yong-ju
- Starring
- Gong Yoo; Park Bo-gum
- Music
- Jo Yeong-wook
- Cinematography
- Lee Mo-gae
- Editing
- Kim Sang-bum
- Studio
- Studio 101; CJ Entertainment
- Distributor
- CJ Entertainment
- Released
- 15 April 2021
Facts from the source article.
Plot
A former intelligence agent living in seclusion after a traumatic event is pulled back into action by his old agency. He must safely escort Seo Bok, a genetically engineered human clone created through stem cell research. Almost immediately, the pair comes under attack. Escaping together, they begin a tense journey. Seo Bok, seeing the world for the first time, is endlessly curious, while the agent wants nothing more than to finish this last job. Their conflicting goals create constant friction. Meanwhile, various factions race to capture Seo Bok, a being who could save humanity or destroy it. In the end, the two are pushed toward a decision neither can avoid.
Production
The film was initially developed in January 2017, with Lee Yong-ju directing and also writing the screenplay. The film was formally announced with Park Bo-gum in the role of Seo Bok in January 2017. By October 2018, Gong Yoo was confirmed to appear in the role of an intelligence agent. In April 2019, Jang Young-nam, Jo Woo-jin and Park Byung-eun were cast in supporting roles. Art director Lee Ha-jun joined the production in June 2019. Principal photography began in May 2019, with filming taking place mainly at the Jeonju film studio located in Jeonju. Location filming took place from mid-June to early August 2019 in Tongyeong. The film ended principal photography in October 2019, after nearly six months of filming.
Release
On October 21, 2020, distributor CJ Entertainment announced the film will be released in December 2020, with a first look of the film and teaser poster released days later. However, its premiere was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film pre-sold to 56 countries ahead of its launch and opened simultaneously across several Asian markets alongside its home market, including Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan on April 15, 2021 alongside a streaming release on TVING. It is the first time that a Korean film was released theatrically and via over-the-top media service. In Vietnam, the film premiered on iQIYI on April 22, 2021. It premiered on July 16, 2021 in Japan. In the United States and Canada, distributor WellGo USA licensed the film for video on demand to streaming service Viki. The film was selected to premiere at Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival 2021 held on April 6 to April 18, 2021. Seo Bok was also invited to Fantasia International Film Festival which was held from August 5 to 25, 2021 in Montreal.
Reception
The film was released on April 15, 2021 in South Korea on 1,382 screens. It topped the South Korean box office in its opening day with 45,155 audiences. It remained at the top of the domestic box office, in its second day of its release with 36,183 admissions. The decrease in the number of audience from first day was attributed to the simultaneous release on streaming media TVING. The film maintained its #1 rank at Korean box office in its third day of release. It was #1 at the end of the opening weekend at domestic box office with a total of 210,210 admissions. In Hong Kong it topped the box office for two straight weekends. Per Variety, the film was 'one of the biggest local films to release in Korea in 2021.' According to Korean Film Council data, it ranked 13th place among all the Korean films released in 2021, with a gross of and a total of 385,409 admissions, as of 2021 12 11. Elisabeth Vintecelli, in her review for The New York Times wrote that director Lee Young-ju focuses on philosophical inquiry and 'his slow-burning film casts a genuinely affecting spell' that 'becomes increasingly poignant. Don't be surprised if you shed a few tears.' Kang Min-kyung of Star News Korea praised Park Bo-gum's performance writing: '[His] transformations are endless...That's why Park is like a piece of paper. It seems like the picture is drawn wherever the hand of the person drawing on the paper goes.' Bryan Tan, writing for Yahoo! News, rated the film with two and a half stars out of five, praising Park's performance but noting 'the over-the-top psychic CGI displays really got in the way of the bigger questions.'
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the music for Seo Bok?
The music for Seo Bok was composed by Jo Yeong-wook.
How long is Seo Bok?
Seo Bok has a running time of 114 minutes.
More in South Korean Science Fiction Action Films
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced