Money Heist: Korea Story:-
Anticipation soared ahead of the release of Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area, and rightfully so. The original Spanish series, La Casa de Papel (Money Heist), captivated audiences worldwide, earning accolades including the International Emmy Award for Best Drama Series in 2018. The collaboration between this global phenomenon and the burgeoning Korean content industry exemplifies the vast potential of Netflix’s expansive library of beloved franchises.
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 24 June 2022 |
| Language | Korean |
| Genre | Crime, Drama |
| Episodes | 12 |
| Cast | Yoo Ji-tae, Jeon Jong-seo, Park Hae-soo, Lee Won-jong, Kim Ji-hoon, Jang Yoon-ju, Lee Hyun-woo, Kim Ji-hun, Lee Kyu-ho |
| Director | Kim Hong-sun |
| Writer | Ryu Yong-jae, Kim Hwan-chae, Choe Sung-jun |
| Production | BH Entertainment, Zium Content |
| Certificate | 16+ |
In its first installment, Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area delivers an exhilarating adventure guided by a talented ensemble cast. The intricate set design of the Unified Korea Mint deserves commendation for its adaptability, seamlessly alternating between showcasing the intricate workings of wealth creation and concealing the schemes of those vying for its riches. Fans of the original Money Heist will find comfort in the familiar narrative techniques adopted in the Korean adaptation, including the non-linear storytelling and the enigmatic narrator, Tokyo, whose shifting perspectives add layers to the story’s intrigue.
Blessed with the endorsement of Money Heist creator Álex Pina, Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area debuted its first six episodes (part 1) on June 24th. Set in the near future, the series unfolds in the newly established Joint Economic Area, formerly the Joint Security Area between North and South Korea. What was once a symbol of division now represents the promise of unity, offering fresh business prospects and a shared currency minted at the Unified Korea Mint.
However, disillusionment festers as a professor, an expert in post-unification economic impact, witnesses the exploitation of migrant labor and the widening wealth gap. In response, he recruits a disparate group of eight thieves to orchestrate a daring heist of 4 trillion won from the Unified Korea Mint.
Each member of the ensemble cast embodies a complex blend of virtue and vice, compassion and aggression. Seasoned actor Yoo Ji-tae brings a nuanced portrayal of the professor, oscillating between a charismatic Robin Hood-esque demeanor and a calculated manipulator. Kim Yunjin, known for her role in Lost, masterfully navigates her character’s personal turmoil as senior inspector Seon Woo-jin, balancing it with high-stakes negotiations during the heist. Park Hae-soo, of Squid Game fame, embodies the formidable Berlin, whose past traumas from surviving North Korea’s Gaecheon concentration camp haunt him. Meanwhile, Jeon Jong-seo, recognized for her role in Burning, portrays Tokyo, a North Korean woman seeking redemption after enduring fraud and abuse as a migrant worker.
Backed by a stellar cast and adrenaline-pumping action sequences, Money Heist: Korea confidently charts its course through the intricacies of the heist plan. However, amidst its grand ambitions, the series occasionally feels trapped, grappling with its own magnitude and uncertain of its ultimate destination.
Arguably, the most crucial aspect of any story is to persuade the viewer to empathize with its protagonists, despite their flaws. We must come to understand their perspective, share in their victories and defeats, and rally behind their cause. However, upon closer examination beyond the charm of its central characters, one may question: why should we support this band of thieves who prioritize personal gain over the hard-fought reunification of the peninsula? (And why not root for the hungry, overworked hostages, who are innocent bystanders in this ordeal?) Perhaps this question will find resolution when part 2 is released, although the date remains unannounced.
Recent Korean Netflix original series, such as Kingdom, D.P., and Squid Game, have showcased the genre’s capability for incisive social commentary amidst thrilling action. However, in Money Heist: Korea, this commentary feels somewhat diluted, overshadowed by the intensity of the Mint hostage crisis.
Tokyo emerges as the most compelling character, driven by her shattered “Korean dream” after leaving the North Korean army and facing the harsh realities of migration to the South. Her narrative underscores the widening economic disparities post-reunification and the struggles of migrant workers. In a poignant moment, she mutters, “Welcome to capitalism,” highlighting her desperation for a breakthrough and redemption from the system’s injustices.
Some of the series’ most impactful moments occur in the opening sequences of each episode, providing glimpses into each character’s backstory. These vignettes add depth to their motivations, lending weight to their actions and offering insight into why they joined the heist.
Furthermore, the symbolism of the heist crew’s masks, inspired by Korean hahoe masks, adds another layer of commentary. Traditionally, hahoe masks reflect the social status of their characters, mirroring their roles and struggles. Similarly, the Salvador Dali mask in the original Money Heist symbolized resistance against injustice, with the heist serving as a means of rectifying the injustices inflicted by capitalism.
As the heist crew adamantly believes in the righteousness of their actions, the forthcoming six episodes of part 2 are poised to address the ethical implications: will the desired ends truly justify the means employed?
