The Ugly Duckling (2012 South Korean Film)
The Ugly Duckling (Korean: 미운오리새끼; revised romanization: Miwoonorisaeggi) is a 2012 South Korean drama film directed and written by Kwak Kyung-Taek. Distributed by Lotte Entertainment, the film was released in South Korea on August 30, 2012, with a runtime of 95 minutes.
Plot Synopsis
The story follows Nak-Man, whose father was formerly a photojournalist but is now mentally disabled as a result of torture. Following this tragedy, Nak-Man's mother relocates to America. Nak-Man fulfills his alternative military service working at a public office for six months. Although his official assignment is to serve as a military barber, his duties extend to taking photographs, cleaning bathrooms, and standing guard. Facing mistreatment from others and hoping to reunite with his mother in America, Nak-Man must navigate his challenging six-month service.
Cast
The film features the following principal cast members:
- Kim Joon-Goo as Nak-Man
- Oh Dal-Su as Nak-Man's dad
- Jo Min-Joon as Lieutenant
- Moon Won-Ju as monk in training
- Jung Ye-Jin as Hye-Rim
- Park Hye-Sun as Staff Sergeant Kwon
- Kim Sung-Ryoung as Nak-Man's mom
Additional cast members include Kim Han-Jun as Private First Class Park, Choi Woo-Hyoung as torture technician 2, Kwak Min-Suk as man with sideburns, Jeong Gi-Seop as man preparing to take the bar exam, Hong Kyung as military police 1, Kim Jung-Woo as military police 2, Hwang Sung-Joon as cooking soldier, and Shin Shin-Ae as a nurse.
Production and Release
Production credits include producers Kim Byung-In, Kim Jae-Ho, Yang Joong-Kyoung, Nam Ji-Woong, Jo Hye-Ryoun, and Shin Seung-Keun. The cinematography was handled by Yoon Joo-Hwan, Park Hyoun-Soo, Choi Je-Sung, and Jung Jin-Wook.
The film was screened in the Korean Cinema Today - Panorama section at the 17th Busan International Film Festival held from October 4 to October 13, 2012.
