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Haan (film)
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Wikipedia article
'Haan' is a 2005 South Korean spy thriller film starring Ahn Jae-mo, Im Yoo-jin and Go Jeong-il. Written and directed by Lee In-soo, it is based on the true story of Korea's first double agent, Haan Kil-soo (also known as Kilsoo Haan), who learned of the Japan's impending attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, tried to warn the U.S. but was ignored.
Lee studied historical documents about Haan for seven years and had already made a television documentary about the Korean-American spy. The two-part documentary titled 'X-file on Haan Kil-soo' received a monthly award by the Korean Broadcasting Commission after it was aired on KBS1 in 2002.
Lee said: "There are three things that made Americans know about Korea, according to historians: the Korean War, the Koreagate scandal and Haan Kil-soo. The reality is that people hardly remember Haan, who is better known in foreign countries. I always felt sorry about that." Lee added: "Haan might have played a decisive role in achieving Korean
liberation."
Plot
Han Gil-soo works at the Japanese consulate in Honolulu, Hawaii. But he is really a double agent spying for the United States with whom his true loyalties lay. When he discovers Japan's intent to attack Pearl Harbor and destroy the America's Pacific Fleet in a surprise attack meant to cripple the U.S. Navy, he attempts to warn the Americans, but is put off and his dire warnings apparently ignored.
Cast
* Ahn Jae-mo as Han Gil-soo
* Im Yoo-jin as Nanami/Yoon Ji-in
* Go Jeong-il
* Lee Yeong-seok
* Chris Jackson as Reporter
Reception
BeyondHollywood wrote: "'Han Gil-su' succeeds by entertaining as well as educating. The film, whether most of it is based on fact or made up for the purposes of a good movie, nevertheless sheds light on an unknown hero of the Pearl Harbor attack. Because of this, 'Han' will not only appeal to history buffs, but any moviegoer that appreciates a finely crafted thriller that takes a new angle on a story that has been told many times in many different ways. The perspective in 'Han Gil-su' is one you definitely haven't seen before."
References
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