Notable Cast: Gong Yoo, Park Bo-gum, Jo Woo-jin,
Park Byung-eun, Jang Young-nam, Kim Jae-keon
Also known as: Seo Bok
The amount of science fiction films that focus on the “what
does it mean to be human?” question of the genre is absurd. I love science
fiction, in all of its colors and styles, but there are only so many times one
can ask that question of the audience before it becomes trite. Yes, we all get
it. Robots and clones and humans and boy, oh, boy, are we all that different?
The science fiction films that set themselves apart from
their peers in asking such questions are ones that effectively create
characters and situations where an audience cares about what the answer means
to them. It’s not just some philosophical pondering. It’s a grounded and
connected theme to the world of the film. Seobok succeeds in doing just
that. Despite its oddball subtitle that reeks of big box store buzz words, Project
Clone, the film asks so many of the hum-drum questions in such an
intriguing slightly off-kilter manner that it manages to pull off hitting the
tropes without feeling hum-drum itself.
Seobok starts off firmly in the action sci-fi realm
of the genre spectrum in getting its two lead characters, Gong Yoo and Park Bo
Gum, together, but don’t be mistaken in its intentions. This film is more
dramatic character study than anything else. It only uses its action sparingly
to keep its audience hooked into the otherwise meticulously dramatic pacing. If
anything, even of the use of its science-fiction elements, which has Park Bo
Gum’s Seobok learning to use his “telekinetic abilities” while figuring out
his place in the world, are more in line with servicing the themes and
characters than necessarily shoveling entertainment at its audience.
This is where Seobok works though. It engages its two
characters, one pushing toward the end of his life and one just at the
beginning, to firmly connect on what the meaning of life and death is in a
world so brazenly uncaring, selfish, and greedy. The style of how the script,
which fantastically empowers both actors to embrace their own nuanced
performances, manages to bring them together - not just into an off-beat road
trip style narrative for most of its second act, but also in an emotional
state, is where Seobok manages to make its bolder statements. By the
end, the question has evolved into a darker and more devastating one. It’s
not about who is more humane, but who is more of the monster and its
reverberating answers feel distinctly prodding in a modern world.
It’s easy to see how more general audiences will
react to its limited use of action and big, brash sci-fi elements. The ones
promised in its trailer. They’re going to be a little peeved. In part because a) they are not nearly as prevalent as expected and b) when those set pieces do
arrive, they are splashy and fun and worth the price of admission. So why not have more?
Whether it’s the cat-and-mouse espionage paranoia of its Bourne
tinged chase sequence in the second act or its super-powered X-Men
influenced moments of telekinetic spectacle throughout - which culminates in
some highly brutal moments of shocking violence in the third act, Seobok
does excel at its thrills when necessary. Even though I was not dismayed by its
seemingly sparse action set pieces, it’s hard not to want more when they are so
well done.
Director Lee Yong-ju manages to set up the core thematic of
the film, where a rogue-ish ex-special ops intelligence agent, played with such
a heartfulness and edgy energy by the consistently impressive Gong Yoo, must
escort a very valuable clone named Seobok, and it highlights its strengths.
Considering his incredibly varied filmography, where he’s directed horror and
romance films, it’s impressive to see how he manages to navigate all of the ins
and outs of its premise. No matter if it’s the dramatic character interplay,
the comedic fish-out-of-water elements, or the brutal action, Lee Yong-ju
flashes a lot of talent in one film.
Seobok’s strange genre mixture ought to throw most of
its viewers off, but its focus on characters and their development around those
baseline questions creates a dynamic worth investigating. Don’t go in expecting
a big, bold Hollywood-style sci-fi action blockbuster and the journey with Seobok
and his protector, Min Gi-heon, will certainly tug on some heartstrings while
maintaining a strong line of entertainment.
Just like its titular character, don’t judge the film’s
strength and capabilities by its surface level. It’s the elements that lie
underneath that make Seobok such a powerful and evocative watch.
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