Troll Factory
Troll Factory | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Hangul | 댓글부대 |
Hanja | 댓글部隊 |
Literal meaning | The Comments Army |
Revised Romanization | Daetguelbudae |
McCune–Reischauer | Taetkŭlbudae |
Directed by | Ahn Gooc-jin |
Screenplay by | Ahn Gooc-jin |
Based on | The Comments Army by Chang Kang-myoung |
Produced by | Seo Yeon |
Starring |
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Cinematography | Cho Hyung-rae |
Edited by | Han Mi-yeon |
Music by | Cho Young-wook |
Production company | Cinematic Moment |
Distributed by | Acemaker Movieworks |
Release date |
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Running time | 109 minutes[1] |
Country | South Korea |
Language | Korean |
Box office | US$6.7 million[2] |
Troll Factory (Korean: 댓글부대) is a 2024 South Korean crime drama film directed and written by Ahn Gooc-jin, and starring Son Suk-ku, Kim Sung-cheol, Kim Dong-hwi, and Hong Kyung. Based on the novel of the same Korean name by Chang Kang-myoung, a work based on the National Intelligence Service's illegal election intervention case. It is about a public opinion manipulation company that infiltrates Internet sites and manipulates public opinion by leaving malicious comments. It was released on March 27, 2024.
Premise
It follows the narrative of Im Sang-jin, a reporter who is suspended from his work for publishing an article exposing a huge corporation's tyranny, until an anonymous source comes and informs him about online public opinion manipulation.[3]
Cast
- Son Suk-ku as Im Sang-jin: a newspaper reporter seeking reinstatement after being suspended for writing an article exposing the tyranny of a large corporation, and getting closer to the true nature of the so-called 'Troll Factory', which operates in political as well as business realms.[4]
- Kim Sung-cheol as Jjingppeotking: the de facto leader who shows quick thinking and takes the lead in manipulating public opinion.[4]
- Kim Dong-hwi as Chattatkat: an anonymous writer who creates hooked stories and an informant who announces the existence of the comment unit.[4]
- Hong Kyung as Paeptaek: a keyboard warrior who feels the power of online public opinion manipulation and becomes increasingly addicted to it.[4]
- Lee Sun-hee [ko] as Pyo Ha-jeong: editor-in-chief of a newspaper company.[5]
- Kim Jun-han as Nam Ki-hong: the head of the public opinion team.[1]
- Park Sun-woo[6]
- Cha Young-ju[6]
- Kim So-min[6]
Production
Development
The film developed under the working title The Comments Army and director Ahn Gooc-jin, who directed Alice in Earnestland (2015) took the megaphone.[7]
It is produced by Cinematic Moment and distributed by Acemaker Movieworks.[8]
Casting
Son Suk-ku was offered the role of the main character in July 2022.[8]
The appearance of Son along with Kim Dong-hwi were confirmed in January 2023.[9][10] Followed by Kim Sung-cheol and Hong Kyung in February 2023.[11][12]
Production design
Art Director Hong Joo-hee, who worked on The School Nurse Files (2020), My Name (2021) and The Moon (2023), contributes to the film's unique visual identity with a realistic and original production design. Costume Designer Jo Sang-kyung, who worked on Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017), Squid Game (2020–present), and Hunt (2022), brings her expertise to craft unique and distinct character portrayals through the costumes.[13]
Filming
Principal photography began on March 6, 2023.[14]
Visual effects
Cinematographer Cho Hyung-rae, who worked on The Merciless (2017), Kingmaker (2022), Kill Boksoon (2023) and Concrete Utopia (2023), and Lighting Director Lee Gil-gyu who worked on Tune in for Love (2019), Kingmaker (2022), Concrete Utopia (2023) and Citizen of a Kind (2024) have combined their talents to craft the film's overall visual concept.[13]
Music
Music Director Cho Young-wook, who worked on A Taxi Driver (2017), The Man Standing Next (2020), Hunt (2022), Decision to Leave (2022), Narco-Saints (2022) and Honey Sweet (2023), will compose the score, creating a unique atmosphere for the film to take place.[13]
Release
Troll Factory was released on March 27, 2024.[15]
References
- ^ a b Jung, Soo-jin (March 21, 2024). [시네마 데이트] 온라인 여론조작의 희생양 손석구의 고군분투기, '댓글부대' [[Cinema Date] Son Suk-ku's struggle as a victim of online public opinion manipulation, 'The Comments Army'] (in Korean). Ize. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ "South Korea Box Office April 6, 2024". KOFIC. April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ Son, Jung-bin (January 31, 2024). 손석구 기자 됐다...영화 '댓글부대' 3월27일 공개 [Son Suk-ku became a reporter...Movie 'The Comments Army' released on March 27th] (in Korean). Newsis. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ a b c d Cho, Yeon-gyeong (January 31, 2024). "여론 조작" 손석구·김성철·김동휘·홍경 '댓글부대' 3월 27일 개봉 ["Public Opinion Manipulation" Son Suk-ku, Kim Sung-cheol, Kim Dong-hwi, Hong Kyung's 'The Comments Army' opens on March 27th] (in Korean). JTBC News. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Lee, Nam-kyung (March 22, 2024). 이선희, ‘댓글부대’ 출연 확정…손석구와 호흡(공식) [Lee Sun-hee confirmed to appear in 'The Comments Army'...Working with Son Suk-kyu (Official)] (in Korean). MBN. Retrieved March 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ a b c "Troll Factory - Cast (Korean Movie, 2023, 댓글부대)". HanCinema. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ Lee, Chang-gyu (July 29, 2022). 손석구 측 "'댓글부대' 출연 제안 받고 검토 中" [공식입장] [Son Suk-ku's side "We have received an offer to appear on 'Comment Unit' and are considering it" [Official Position]] (in Korean). Sports News. Retrieved March 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ a b Jung, Yoo-jin (July 29, 2022). [단독] '대세' 손석구, 장강명 소설 원작 영화 '댓글부대' 주연 물망 [[Exclusive] 'Trend' Son Suk-ku is expected to star in 'The Comments Army', a movie based on Chang Kang-myoung's novel] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Choi, Ji-ye (January 27, 2023). [단독] '대세' 손석구, 차기작 '댓글부대' 확정...계묘년 열일ing [[Exclusive] 'Trend' Son Suk-ku confirms his next work 'The Comments Army'...Year of the Black Rabbit working hard] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Choi, Ji-ye (January 27, 2023). [단독] '충무로 라이징' 김동휘, '댓글부대' 주연 캐스팅...손석구와 호흡 [[Exclusive] 'Chungmuro Rising' Kim Dong-hwi cast as lead role in 'The Comments Army'...Working with Son Suk-ku] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Archived from the original on August 29, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Cho, Yeon-gyeong (February 20, 2023). [단독] '대세' 김성철 '댓글부대' 합류...손석구 만난다 [[Exclusive] 'Trend' Kim Sung-cheol joins 'The Comments Army'...Meet Son Seok-gu] (in Korean). JTBC News. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Kim, Bo-ra (February 20, 2023). [단독] '약한영웅' 홍경, '댓글부대' 캐스팅…손석구·김동휘 연기 호흡 [[Exclusive] 'Weak Hero' Hong Kyung, cast in 'The Comment Unit'...acting together with Son Suk-ku and Kim Dong-hwi] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ a b c Kim, Yeon-ju (March 13, 2024). '댓글부대', '오징어게임'→'콘유' 제작진 뭉쳤다 ['The Comments Army', 'Squid Game'→'Concrete Utopia' production crew unite]. TV Report. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Cho, Ji-young (March 7, 2023). [공식] 손석구X김성철X김동휘X홍경 '댓글부대'로 뭉쳤다..6일 크랭크인 [[Official] Son Suk-ku X Kim Sung-cheol X Kim Dong-hwi X Hong Kyung, united in 'The Comments Army'..Crank in on the 6th] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on August 29, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Son, Jung-bin (January 31, 2024). 손석구 기자 됐다...영화 '댓글부대' 3월27일 공개 [Son Suk-ku became a reporter...Movie 'The Comments Army' released on March 27th] (in Korean). Newsis. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024 – via Naver.
External links
- Troll Factory at the Korean Movie Database (in Korean)
- Troll Factory at IMDb
- Troll Factory at HanCinema