<독전 2> 'Believer 2' Movie Review

  Although Believer 1 had been a huge success, I didn't enjoy the movie much. Believer 1 didn't have much of a story to it, and all that was left in my mind afterwards were violently shocking scenes of murder which were overly realistic due to superb actors. Not to mention some vague cinematic bravado, apparently to induce a lingering feeling; which surprisingly actually worked, creating many fans for the movie. However since I considered those blank spaces as merely a puzzling bluff, it was a relief that its midquel Believer 2 cleared up those parts to finally complete the story properly.

  Most characters were the same as Believer 1, acted by the same actors. Meanwhile, Big Knife was a newly added character. The movie is about Detective Cho investigating Professor Lee, who is a notorious drug gang leader but with hidden identity. Cho keeps looking for Lee and during his search comes across Big Knife, who seems like the only one who knows Lee's true identity. Besides Cho, many people approach Big Knife, each with their own story.

  Since the previous film had been a disappointment to me, I had few expectations for the movie except for the fact that top actress Han Hyo-Joo had joined the series as Big Knife. So although I was going to watch it anyways, I was feeling a little anxious. 

  But Believer 2 greatly exceeded my expectations:) Since the series is about illegal drug dealing with violent scenes, without caution you can easily feel unpleasant from all the brutality. However, there was something about the movie that made the whole flow seem tranquil, as if some unknown special magic had taken over. In an interview, Han Hyo-Joo had emphasized the silent emptiness towards the end. Her words turned out to be true. The silence was indeed empty, yet oddly at the same time, strikingly beautiful. Especially towards the end, the movie felt "crafted" like some piece of artwork. In the finale, all the missing puzzle pieces that had been scattered here and there in Believer 1 were all gathered and then delicately fit together to form an exquisite conclusion. 

  To add, Han Hyo-Joo must have a thing for glasses! In her recent TV series Moving, there was an impressive scene where she takes off her glasses and finally reveals her true powers to protect her family. In Believer 2, there is also a scene where she takes off her glasses triggered by an important change of heart. This sort of connection gives quite an excitement to Moving fans:) Well, look forward to it~

  The fans of Believer 1 seem to disapprove this film, mainly because a main character's actor changed and there are partial differences in detail. Also, what the fans liked were those "blank spaces", so they felt angry that Believer 2 patched them up, leaving no room for imagination. It's understandable, but this movie itself is unmistakably well-made. True, the new director made some mistakes, but those might have been inevitable. Plus it was already so obvious that the blank spaces will be filled up, since Believer 2 is a midquel. Yeah folks, it's a MIDQUEL... So Believer 1 fans may be upset, but seen from an outsider's point of view, the situation is quite questionable.

Review: What truly lies underneath the peaceful snow field.