Murder, Take One (2005 Film)
Murder, Take One (Korean: 박수칠때 떠나라; RR: Baksuchilddae Ddeonara), also known by the English title The Big Scene, is a 2005 South Korean mystery-comedy film written and directed by Jang Jin. The film explores the intersection of law enforcement and media sensationalism through a high-stakes murder investigation.
Plot
The story begins in a luxury hotel room where a high-ranking advertising executive is found murdered. Prosecutor Choi Yeon-Gi (played by Cha Seung-Won) leads the investigation, initially focusing on a young man named Kim Young-Hoon (Shin Ha-Kyun), who was discovered near the crime scene with a canister of gasoline. Despite the seemingly clear evidence, the case becomes increasingly complex as the suspect maintains his innocence and passes a polygraph test. The investigation is further complicated by the arrival of a television crew, which begins broadcasting the police proceedings in real-time. As external pressure mounts, the investigative team faces internal friction, conflicting witness testimonies, and the introduction of unconventional elements, including a spiritualist brought in to contact the victim's spirit.
Cast
The film features an ensemble cast of prominent South Korean actors:
- Cha Seung-Won as Prosecutor Choi Yeon-Gi
- Shin Ha-Kyun as Kim Young-Hoon
- Shin Goo as Chief Yoon
- Ryu Seung-Ryong as Sung-Joon
- Kim Ji-Soo as Jung Yoon-Jung
- Jung Jae-Young as the Bully
- Hwang Jung-Min as the masseuse
- Park Jung-Ah as Han Moo-Sook
Production and Release
Directed by Jang Jin, the film was produced by Lee Taek-Dong and distributed by Cinema Service. It was released in South Korea on August 11, 2005, with a runtime of 115 minutes. The cinematography was handled by Choi Yun-Man and Kim Joon-Young.
Film Festival Appearances
The film has been featured in several international film festivals, including:
- 2010: The 5th London Korean Film Festival (Jang Jin Retrospective).
- 2015: The 44th International Film Festival Rotterdam (Signals: Jang Jin section).
