The Spy Gone North (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
The Spy Gone North is a 2018 drama directed by Jong-bin Yun, starring Byung Mo Choi as National Assembly Member Yoo, Ju-bong Gi and Jeong-min Hwang. It runs 2 hours 17 minutes and earned $38.8 million worldwide on a $17 million budget. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10. Stream it on Rakuten Viki, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Google Play Movies.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 17m (137 min)
- Director
- Jong-bin Yun
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
Korean
- Studio
- CJ Entertainment America
- Budget
- $17M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Spy Gone North About?
The premise of The Spy Gone North without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In 1993, former military officer Suk-young Park assumes the perilous identity of "Black Venus," South Korea's top spy operating in Beijing. Undercover within a circle of influential North Korean officials, he skillfully gains the trust of Myong-un Ri, a key figure, and infiltrates the nation's highest levels. His mission faces increasing danger as complex political machinations threaten to unravel his carefully constructed facade and jeopardize everything he has achieved.
The Spy Gone North Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- spy movie
- agent
- intelligence agent
- asian spy
- secret agent
- espionage
- spying
- year 1993
- cold war
- 1990s
- south korea
- korea
+38 more Show fewer
- north korea
- kim jong il
- dictator
- china
- korean
- asia
- asian
- spy
- nuclear base
- north
- nuclear power
- nuclear
- undercover
- undercover agent
- businessman
- code name
- black venus
- operation
- mission
- spy mission
- secret mission
- top secret
- duke
- black
- venus
- assignment
- undercover spy
- official
- government official
- dictatorship
- gone north
- south
- intelligence
- peninsula
- military intelligence
- military
- disguise
- secret deal
Where to Watch The Spy Gone North
Stream it on Rakuten Viki, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Google Play Movies. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 1
The Spy Gone North Cast & Characters
Byung Mo Choi leads the cast as National Assembly Member Yoo, with Ju-bong Gi as Kim Jong-Il and Jeong-min Hwang. Directed by Jong-bin Yun; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Jong-bin Yun
- Byung Mo Choi as National Assembly Member Yoo
-
Ju-bong Gi as Kim Jong-Il -
Jeong-min Hwang -
Ji-hun Ju
Also Starring in The Spy Gone North
· 6 more- Jin-woong Jo
- Yong Chae Hwang Byeong-cheol
- Bo-Kwang Choi
- Ji-Heon Cha
- Seung-ik Baek
- Sung-min Lee
The Spy Gone North Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Spy Gone North 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 72/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).
The Spy Gone North Echo Score Breakdown
The Spy Gone North offers a thoughtfully crafted espionage experience characterized by measured suspense and nuanced performances. While its deliberate pacing and densely plotted first half may challenge some viewers, the film’s meticulous production design and precise direction sustain interest for audiences who appreciate understated tension. It combines intellectual depth with controlled visual artistry. The result is a solid and restrained Cold War thriller.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 80
In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits precise direction and disciplined editing that foreground its nuanced suspense. The production design captures the period with subtle authenticity, and the cinematography employs an understated color palette to reinforce the covert atmosphere. Overall, these elements coalesce into a coherent visual style that supports the narrative’s tension.
- Character & Emotion 80
When it comes to character and emotion, performances are measured and lend credibility to the double-agent intrigue. The central figures are rendered with enough depth to convey conflicting loyalties, and the restrained chemistry underscores their psychological games. Emotional stakes rise through dialogue rather than action. The result is a compelling portrayal of espionage motivations.
- Story & Flow 60
In terms of story and flow, the narrative unfolds at a deliberate pace that prioritizes political complexity over action. The densely layered plot engages viewers interested in intricate maneuvering, though the protracted first half can cause confusion about character roles. Originality arises from its true-life basis and genre setting. Ultimately, pacing trade-offs yield a methodical yet occasionally uneven thriller.
- Sensory Experience 70
When evaluating sensory experience, the film relies on a restrained sound design and an atmospheric score to heighten tension. Visual cohesion stems from muted color schemes and precise framing that reflect the covert operations. Dialogue-driven suspense replaces overt action, resulting in a sparse but focused sensory palette. This approach sustains immersion through subtle audio-visual cues.
- Rewatch Factor 55
Regarding rewatch factor, the detailed portrayal of political intrigue and layered dialogue offers potential for renewed analysis. The film’s slow pacing and minimal action, however, may limit its appeal for repeat viewings by broader audiences. Enthusiasts of cerebral thrillers may discover new details on subsequent screenings. In sum, its replay value is moderate and niche-oriented.
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IMDb 7.3 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 100% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 84%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 69 Metascore
User score 7.2
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 74% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.7 /5
29 ratings
See on Letterboxd
The Spy Gone North Plot Summary
What happens in The Spy Gone North from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In January 1992, Major Park Seok-young finds himself at the center of a covert mission when he is recruited by the Agency for National Security Planning (ANSP). His objective? To delve deep into the secrets of North Korea’s nuclear program, knowledge that only a select few, including its leader, Kim Jong Il, are privy to. Under the guidance of Director Choi, Park adopts the guise of a down-and-out businessman turned alcoholic, having fallen from military grace due to mounting debts. His primary task is to establish a rapport with Ri Myung-woon, the influential director of the North Korean External Economic Committee.
Full summary
The whole story of The Spy Gone North, scene by scene
The Spy Gone North Box Office & Budget
The Spy Gone North grossed $38.8 million worldwide on a $17 million budget, 2.3 times what it cost. $500,803 came from the US and Canada and $38.3 million (99%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$38.8M
2.3× its budget
- US & Canada
- $500.8K
- International
- $38.3M
- Budget
- $17M
The Spy Gone North Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Trailer
How Well Do You Know The Spy Gone North?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What year does the movie 'The Spy Gone North' take place in?
Cars in The Spy Gone North
29 cars on screen, including the 1995 Mercedes-Benz S 320 W140 and the 1986 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W126.
-
1995 Mercedes-Benz S 320 W140 Important role -
1986 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W126 Important role -
1995 BMW 7 E38 Minor role -
Daelim VF 125 Minor role
The Spy Gone North Also Known As
17 alternative titles, including “Gongjak” and “北风”.
- Also known as
-
- Gongjak
- 北风
- 北寒谍战
- 特工
- 공작
- 北寒諜戰
- 北風
- Шпионинът на Север
- Infiltrado en el Norte
- Szpieg
- Kuzeydeki Casus
- O Espião que foi para o Norte
+5 more Show fewer
- Шпион пошёл на север
- Špion, který se vydal na sever
- Kế Hoạch Bắc Hàn
- 工作 黒金星(ブラック・ヴィーナス)と呼ばれた男
- الجاسوس يتوجه شمالا
Seen The Spy Gone North?
Movies Like The Spy Gone North
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Spy, Spy Game and Provocateur.
Articles About The Spy Gone North
4 articles about The Spy Gone North. The latest: “The Art and Impact of Voice Narration in Documentaries”.
-
Cinema -
HistoryUncovering the Art of Documentary Narration
Delve into the intricate art of documentary narration, exploring its history, techniques, and impact on storytelling in our latest ATM blog post. 9 min read -
CultureThe Power of the Documentary: Changing Minds and Hearts
Discover the transformative power of documentaries and how they reflect societal changes, evoke emotions, and drive action in this in-depth exploration on What's After the Movie blog. 9 min read
The Spy Gone North FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Spy Gone North, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Spy Gone North?
The Spy Gone North runs 2 hours 17 minutes (137 minutes).
When was The Spy Gone North released?
The Spy Gone North was released on August 10, 2018.
Who directed The Spy Gone North?
The Spy Gone North was directed by Jong-bin Yun.
More films by Jong-bin Yun Who is in the cast of The Spy Gone North?
The Spy Gone North stars Byung Mo Choi as National Assembly Member Yoo, Ju-bong Gi as Kim Jong-Il and Jeong-min Hwang, among 10 credited actors.
Where can I watch The Spy Gone North?
In the US, The Spy Gone North is streaming on Rakuten Viki and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies and YouTube (availability from JustWatch).
How much did The Spy Gone North make at the box office?
The Spy Gone North grossed $38.8 million worldwide ($500,803 domestic, $38.3 million international) on a budget of $17 million.
How is The Spy Gone North rated?
The Spy Gone North has 7.3/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic and 74% on TMDB.
Does The Spy Gone North have a post-credit scene?
No. The Spy Gone North has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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