Hwayi: A Monster Boy (2013 Film)
Hwayi: A Monster Boy (Korean: 화이 : 괴물을 삼킨 아이) is a 2013 South Korean action thriller film directed by Jang Joon-hwan. The narrative centers on a young man named Hwayi, who is kidnapped as an infant and raised by a five-member criminal gang. As he reaches his teenage years, Hwayi is trained by his adoptive fathers to become a lethal operative. The story escalates when Hwayi participates in his first murder, an event that forces him to confront the truth about his origins and his relationship with his captors.
Production
The film was directed by Jang Joon-hwan with a screenplay written by Park Joo-suk. Production commenced on December 10, 2012, and concluded on April 25, 2013. The film was distributed by Showbox and released in South Korea on October 9, 2013.
Cast
The film features an ensemble cast, including:
- Kim Yun-seok as Seok-tae
- Yeo Jin-goo as Hwayi
- Jang Hyun-sung as Jin-sung
- Cho Jin-woong as Ki-tae
- Kim Sung-kyun as Dong-bum
- Park Hae-joon as Bum-soo
- Nam Ji-hyun as Yoo-kyung
Reception and Awards
The film was screened at several international film festivals, including the 2014 Fantasia Film Festival and the 2014 Sitges Film Festival. Yeo Jin-goo received recognition for his performance, winning the Best New Actor award at both the 33rd Korean Association of Film Critics Awards and the 34th Blue Dragon Film Awards in 2013. Additionally, the film's score, composed by Mowg, was honored with the Best Music award at the 34th Blue Dragon Film Awards.
