Minority Opinion (2015 Film)

Minority Opinion (Korean: 소수의견; RR: Sosoouigyeon) is a 2015 South Korean legal drama film directed by Kim Sung-Je. The film explores the complexities of a legal battle following a violent confrontation during an urban renewal eviction.

Plot

The story focuses on a legal case arising from a protest against urban redevelopment. During a demonstration, a 20-year-old police officer and a 16-year-old boy, the son of a protestor, are killed in the ensuing melee. The boy's father is arrested and subsequently claims he was acting in self-defense to protect his son from police violence. The film follows the ensuing court proceedings as the defense team attempts to uncover the truth behind the deaths.

Minority Opinion promotional poster — Promotional material for the film Minority Opinion.

Background and Production

The screenplay is a work of fiction based on the novel Sosoouigyeon by Son A-Ram, published on April 26, 2010. The narrative draws inspiration from the 2009 Yongsan Tragedy, a real-life event in which five residents and one police officer died during a protest. Principal photography for the film began on March 21, 2013, and concluded on June 3, 2013, with the final scenes filmed at the Chuncheon District Court.

Cast

The film features an ensemble cast, including:

Yoon Kye-Sang as Jin-Won
Yu Hae-Jin as Dae-Seok
Kim Ok-Vin as Soo-Kyung
Lee Kyoung-Young as Park Jae-Ho
Kim Eui-Sung as Prosecutor Hong Jae-Duk

Actor Yoon Kye-Sang — Yoon Kye-Sang, who portrays the character Jin-Won.

Actor Yu Hae-Jin — Yu Hae-Jin, who portrays the character Dae-Seok.

Actress Kim Ok-Vin — Kim Ok-Vin, who portrays the character Soo-Kyung.

Actor Lee Kyoung-Young — Lee Kyoung-Young, who portrays the character Park Jae-Ho.

Actor Kwon Hae-Hyo — Kwon Hae-Hyo, who appears as a judge in the film.

Actor Jang Gwang — Jang Gwang, who appears in the film.

Actor Kwak Min-Suk — Kwak Min-Suk, who portrays Assemblyman Park Kyoung-Chul.

Actor Um Tae-Goo — Um Tae-Goo, who portrays Lee Seung-Joon.

Actor Jo Bok-Rae — Jo Bok-Rae, who portrays Prosecutor Jo Goo-Hwan.

Reception and Awards

The film was recognized for its screenplay and performances. At the 36th Blue Dragon Film Awards in 2015, it won the award for Best Screenplay. Additionally, Lee Kyoung-Young received the Best Supporting Actor award at the 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards in 2016.