← Back to results
New World
신세계
2013 134 min South Korea 18+
★7.1
Thriller, Crime, Drama
Director: Park Hoon-jung
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
An undercover cop has his loyalties tested when the boss of the corporate gang he's spent years infiltrating dies.
US Gross:
$457,806
Starring
Lee Jung-jae
Actor
Choi Min-sik
Actor
Hwang Jung-min
Actor
Awards
7 wins & 21 nominations total
Key opinion
New World is widely regarded as a pinnacle of modern Korean noir, praised for its atmospheric depth, complex character dynamics, and stylish execution. While some viewers criticize its pacing or derivative plot elements, most consider it a masterful, albeit brutal, exploration of moral ambiguity and identity.
| Acting | The cast delivers powerful performances, particularly the lead actors whose portrayals of moral conflict and charisma anchor the film's emotional weight. | |
| Cinematography | The film features a luxurious, stylized visual language and immersive score that effectively build a tense and believable crime world. | |
| Theme | The narrative successfully navigates the complex, morally grey territory of identity and loyalty, challenging the audience to question if the ends justify the means. | |
| Originality | The film draws clear influence from classic crime sagas like The Departed and The Godfather, leaving audiences split on whether it stands as an original masterpiece or a genre-derivative piece. | |
| Pacing | The film's pacing is a subject of debate, with some finding the two-hour runtime to be a seamless, gripping experience while others view it as slow or containing superfluous filler. |