Kill Boksoon

Kill Boksoon
Release poster
Hangul
길복순
RRGil Boksun
MRKil Poksun
Directed byByun Sung-hyun
Written byByun Sung-hyun
Produced byYi Jin-hee
Starring
CinematographyCho Hyung-rae
Edited byKim Sang-bum
Music by
  • Lee Jin-hee
  • Kim Hong-jip
Production
company
See At Film[1]
Distributed byNetflix
Release dates
  • February 18, 2023 (2023-02-18) (Berlinale)
  • March 31, 2023 (2023-03-31) (South Korea)
Running time
137 minutes[2]
CountrySouth Korea
LanguageKorean

Kill Boksoon (Korean: 길복순) is a 2023 South Korean action thriller film directed and written by Byun Sung-hyun, starring Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Kim Si-a, Esom, and Koo Kyo-hwan. It premiered on Netflix on March 31, 2023.[3][4][5]

Plot

A man lies half-naked on the cold ground, clutching a pillow. Wondering if he had left a hotel window open, he realizes he is on a bridge. Soon, the contract killer Gil Bok-soon wakes him. He is revealed to be Shinichiro Oda, a second-generation Korean-Japanese yakuza. Oda asks why she has not killed him yet. Bok-soon mentions her daughter Jae-young, recalling a moment when Jae-young criticized corruption and unfair competition. Seeking a fair fight, Bok-soon allows Oda to prepare his weapon, but when the duel begins, she abruptly abandons the rules, shooting him mid-battle. As Oda curses her in Korean, Bok-soon finishes him off.

After returning home, Bok-soon resumes her quiet domestic life. While doing laundry, she discovers cigarettes in Jae-young's clothes, triggering memories of a strict, abusive father who once forced her to eat a cigarette as punishment. Bok-soon smokes in silence, unable to confront her daughter about it when Jae-young returns. Meanwhile, her agency director Min-kyu assigns her a new contract, a choice between a foreign or domestic assassination. Worrying about Jae-young, Bok-soon picks the local job. The target is a prime minister nominee who staged his son's death as a murder-suicide to cover up a college admissions scandal. Realizing the target's guilt and his grief, she spares him and lies about the mission's failure.

Min-kyu grows suspicious, but Bok-soon insists it was a failure, supported by her intern Young-ji. Soon after, Jae-young stabs a classmate, Chul-woo, with scissors. At school, Bok-soon learns everyone involved refuses to talk, leaving Jae-young at risk of expulsion. Later, Jae-young confesses to her mother that she is a lesbian. She reveals the stabbing was retaliation against Chul-woo, who had secretly filmed her and her girlfriend So-ra, then blackmailed them. When he mocked their relationship, Jae-young lashed out in anger.

Amid these troubles, Young-ji visits Bok-soon after being fired. Bok-soon takes her to a friend's restaurant, where several fellow assassins, including her close colleague Hee-sung, arrive. It turns out Hee-sung had staged Bok-soon's failed mission to earn a promotion, manipulated by Min-kyu's sister Min-hee, who wants Bok-soon dead. The assassins turn on Bok-soon, but she kills them all in a brutal fight, sparing only Young-ji. Learning Hee-sung's betrayal was coerced, she ends his life herself and reports the cleanup. Furious, Min-kyu confronts her, forcing her to a new contract. After that, Min-kyu confront Young-ji and kills her.

Later, Bok-soon kills Min-hee in revenge and faces Min-kyu in a final confrontation. They feign civility but soon clash violently. Bok-soon manipulates Min-kyu's emotions and kills him, not realizing that his office CCTV was streaming live to a tablet delivered to Jae-young. When Bok-soon rushes home in horror, expecting trauma, she instead finds her daughter calm and affectionate. In the epilogue, Bok-soon tends her plants as news reports that the corrupt prime minister candidate has been found dead in an apparent suicide. Meanwhile, Jae-young, dressed in red like her mother, visits her school one last time, leaving cryptic, threatening words to So-ra and Chul-woo before walking away with confidence.

Cast

Production

On January 4, 2022, Kill Boksoon confirmed production with the ensemble casting of Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Esom, and Koo Kyo-hwan as the lead roles.[6] On April 7, 2022, it was reported that actress Jeon Do-yeon was injured while filming and stopped filming, but after receiving treatment at the hospital, she returned to the scene and continued filming.[15]

Release

The film had its world premiere in the Berlinale Special section of the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival on February 18, 2023.[16] It was released on Netflix on March 31, 2023.[5]

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 79% of 34 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.8/10. The website's consensus reads: "Although its impact is blunted somewhat by meandering length and some cheesy visual effects, Kill Boksoon remains a pleasing punch to the gut for action fans."[17]

Accolades

Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
Baeksang Arts Awards 2023 Best Actress Jeon Do-yeon Nominated [18]
Best Supporting Actress Lee Yeon Nominated
Bechdel Day 2023 Bechdel Choice 10 — Film Kill Boksoon Top 10 [19]
Buil Film Awards 2023 Best Actress Jeon Do-yeon Nominated [20]
Best Supporting Actress Lee Yeon Nominated
Golden Trailer Awards 2023 Best Foreign Poster "Date Announcement" (The Refinery) Won [21]

Spin-off

In September 2024, Netflix announced the casting of Yim Si-wan and Park Gyu-young for the film, Mantis, a character that is only mentioned in Kill Boksoon.[22] The film was released on September 26, 2025 on Netflix.

References

  1. ↑ 전도연·설경구·이솜·구교환, 넷플릭스 영화 '길복순' 확정 [공식] [Jeon Do-yeon, Seol Kyung-gu, Esom, Koo Kyo-hwan confirmed for Netflix movie 'Gil Bok-soon' [Official]]. Star News. January 4, 2022. Archived from the original on January 4, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2022 – via Naver.
  2. ↑ "Berlinale Special-Kill Boksoon". Berlinale. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  3. ↑ Jeon Hyo-jin (January 4, 2022). 넷플릭스 '길복순', 전도연·설경구·이솜·구교환 출연 [공식] [Netflix 'Gil Bok-soon', Jeon Do-yeon, Seol Kyung-gu, Esom, and Koo Gwan-hwa appeared [Official]]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022 – via Naver.
  4. ↑ Kim Ji-won (January 17, 2023). '더글로리' 파트2→'D.P.' 시즌2...넷플릭스, 올해 한국 작품 28편 공개 ['The Glory' Part 2 → 'DP' Season 2... Netflix to release 28 Korean titles this year]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023 – via Naver.
  5. 1 2 Choi Yonna (February 2, 2023). "A급 킬러 된 전도연...'길복순', 3월 31일 공개 확정" [Jeon Do-yeon, who became an A-class killer... 'Kil Bok-soon' confirmed to be released on March 31st]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2023 – via Naver.
  6. 1 2 Jeon Hyung-hwa (January 4, 2022). 전도연·설경구·이솜·구교환, 넷플릭스 영화 '길복순' 확정 [공식] [Jeon Do-yeon, Seol Kyung-gu, Esom, and Koo Kwan, confirmed for Netflix movie 'Gil Bok-soon' [Official]]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 4, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2022 – via Naver.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Choi Yoon-na (February 21, 2023). 킬러+싱글맘 전도연→대표 설경구...'길복순' 5인 캐릭터 스틸 공개 [Killer+Single Mom Jeon Do-yeon→CEO Seol Kyung-gu... 'Gil Bok-soon' 5-person character stills released]. Sports DongA (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 21, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023 – via Naver.
  8. ↑ Park Jin-young (January 4, 2022). 전도연·설경구·이솜·구교환, '길복순' 출연 확정...킬러 변신 [Jeon Do-yeon, Seol Kyung-gu, Esom, and Koo Gwan-hwa confirmed to appear in 'Gil Bok-soon'... Killer Transformation]. Joy News 24 (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  9. ↑ Choi Yoonna (February 22, 2023). '길복순' 전도연 아역 박세현, 빅웨일엔터테인먼트와 전속계약[공식]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 22, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2023 – via Naver.
  10. 1 2 Yumi Jeong (March 1, 2023). [시네마 데이트] 전도연ㅣ대중의 마음 정확히 명중시킨 고수 '길복순' [[Cinema Date] Jeon Do-yeonㅣKil Bok-soon, a master who accurately hit the public's heart] (in Korean). IZE. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023 – via Naver.
  11. ↑ Yoo Jung-min (March 28, 2022). 김시아, 넷플릭스 영화 '길복순' 캐스팅... 전도연과 호흡 기대↑ [Kim Si-a, cast for Netflix movie 'Gil Bok-soon'... Expectations to work with Jeon Do-yeon↑] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2022 – via Naver.
  12. ↑ Moon Ji-yeon (March 29, 2022). [공식] '소년심판' 이연, 넷플릭스 '길복순' 캐스팅..전도연과 호흡 [[Official] 'Boy Judgment' Lee Yeon, Netflix's 'Gil Bok-soon' Casting.. with Jeon Do-yeon]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022 – via Naver.
  13. ↑ Kim Ji-hye (December 20, 2021). 황정민, '길복순' 특별출연 확정...전도연과 16년 만의 재회 [Hwang Jung-min confirmed for special appearance in 'Gil Bok-soon'... Reunion with Jeon Do-yeon after 16 years]. SBS Entertainment News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2021 – via Naver.
  14. 1 2 Kim Sang-hwa (April 1, 2023). 핏빛 활극 혹은 뻔한 장르물? '길복순'을 향한 다양한 시선. OhmyNews (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  15. ↑ Baek Ji-eun (April 7, 2022). [공식] 전도연 측 "'길복순' 촬영중 부상...이상소견無" [[Official] Jeon Do-yeon's side "Injured while filming 'Gil Bok-soon'...No abnormalities"]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022 – via Naver.
  16. ↑ Kim Na-yeon (January 14, 2023). 전도연X설경구 '길복순', 베를린 국제영화제 스페셜 부문 초청 [공식] [Jeon Do-yeon X Seol Kyung-gu's 'Kil Bok-soon' invited to Berlin International Film Festival Special Section [Official]]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Kill Boksoon". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  18. ↑ Cho Yeon-kyung (April 7, 2023). 제59회 백상예술대상, TV·영화·연극 최종 후보 공개 [59th Baeksang Arts Awards, TV/Film/Play Finalists Revealed] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  19. ↑ Han, Ki-bong (2023-08-30). 9월 1~7일은 '양성평등주간'입니다 [September 1st to 7th is 'Gender Equality Week']. Women Times (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2025-12-15. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
  20. ↑ Nam, Yoo-jung; Lee, Woo-young (2023-08-27). 누가 받아도 될 정도로 훌륭한 후보들, 그중 최고는 누구? [Great candidates to anyone can accept, who is the best of them?]. Busan Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2023-08-27. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  21. ↑ Pedersen, Erik (June 29, 2023). "Golden Trailer Awards: Cocaine Bear, Only Murders In The Building & Oppenheimer Among Top Winners – Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Netflix Announces 'Kill Boksoon' Spinoff, Casts Yim Si-wan, Park Gyu-young & Jo Woo-jin". deadline. Archived from the original on 2024-09-02. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
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