Countdown (2011 South Korean Film)

Countdown (Korean: 카운트다운) is a 2011 South Korean crime drama film written and directed by Huh Jong-ho. The film stars Jung Jae-young and Jeon Do-yeon, marking their second collaboration following the 2002 film No Blood No Tears.

Promotional poster for the film Countdown.

Plot

Tae Gun-ho (Jung Jae-young) is a cold-blooded debt collector who discovers he has terminal liver cancer. With only days to live, he seeks a liver donor among the recipients of his late son's organs. After several rejections, he identifies Cha Ha-yeon (Jeon Do-yeon), a woman currently serving time in prison. Ha-yeon agrees to the donation on the condition that Gun-ho helps her track down Jo Myung-suk (Lee Kyoung-young), a man who framed her for a Ponzi scheme. Upon her release, the two become entangled in a dangerous pursuit involving criminal elements and past betrayals.

Jung Jae-young as Tae Gun-ho — Jung Jae-young as the debt collector Tae Gun-ho.

Jeon Do-yeon as Cha Ha-yeon — Jeon Do-yeon as the enigmatic Cha Ha-yeon.

Production

Principal photography for Countdown began in January 2011 and concluded on May 13, 2011, spanning 117 days of filming. The film features the acting debut of Min, a member of the K-pop girl group Miss A, who portrays Hyun-ji, the daughter of Cha Ha-yeon.

Lee Kyoung-young as Jo Myung-suk — Lee Kyoung-young as the antagonist Jo Myung-suk.

Oh Man-seok as Suwayi — Oh Man-seok as the gang leader Suwayi.

Min as Hyun-ji — Min from Miss A in her acting debut as Hyun-ji.

Kim Dong-wook as Nalpari — Kim Dong-wook as the character Nalpari.

Release and Festivals

The film held its world premiere in September 2011 at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was released theatrically in South Korea on September 29, 2011. Subsequent festival appearances included the Tokyo FILMeX, the Fribourg International Film Festival, and the Skip City International D-Cinema Festival.

Scene from the film — A scene from the film Countdown.