Gangnam Blues is a South Korean neo-noir action film written and directed by Yoo Ha, and starring Lee Min-ho and Kim Rae-won. The film is set in the 1970s against the backdrop of the real estate development of the Gangnam region of Seoul amidst socio-political turmoil and terrorism. The friendship of two childhood friends is tested as they find themselves entangled in the collusion and battles between political powers and criminal organizations.
The film was released on January 21, 2015 in South Korea, and received mixed to positive reviews from critics and audiences. The film was praised for its gritty and realistic portrayal of the historical period, as well as the performances of the lead actors. However, some critics also found the film to be too violent, confusing, and melodramatic. The film was a commercial success, grossing over US$20 million at the box office.
The film was also released in various international markets, such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. The film was rated R for strong bloody violence, language, some sexual content and nudity in the US. The film was also edited for censorship reasons in some countries, such as China and India.
The film is now available on Blu-ray and DVD formats, with various special features and bonus materials. The Blu-ray edition features a 1080p high-definition transfer with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound. The Blu-ray also includes an uncut version of the film that restores some scenes that were deleted or shortened in the theatrical release. The uncut version runs for 135 minutes, while the theatrical version runs for 129 minutes. The Blu-ray also contains a commentary track by director Yoo Ha and actors Lee Min-ho and Kim Rae-won, a making-of documentary, deleted scenes, trailers, and a photo gallery.
Gangnam Blues is a film that offers a thrilling and violent glimpse into the dark history of Seoul's development in the 1970s. It is a film that showcases the talents of two of South Korea's most popular actors, Lee Min-ho and Kim Rae-won. It is a film that fans of Korean cinema and action genre should not miss.