{{Infobox film | name = The Fatal Encounter | director = Lee Jae-kyoo | image = The_Fatal_Encounter-poster.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | writer = Choi Sung-hyeon | starring = Hyun Bin <br/> Jung Jae-young <br/> Jo Jung-suk <br/> Han Ji-min | producer = Choi Nak-kwon | cinematography = Go Nak-seon | music = Mowg | editing = Shin Min-kyung | studio = Good Choice Cut Pictures | distributor = Lotte Entertainment | country = South Korea | language = Korean | runtime = 135 minutes | released = {{film date|2014|4|30}} | budget = {{USD|9.6 million}} <!-- {{SK won|10 billion}} --> | gross = {{USD|22.9 million}}<ref name="box:korea">{{Cite web|url=https://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/films/index/filmsView.jsp?movieCd=20139183|title=KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office: The Fatal Encounter (2014)|access-date=August 9, 2022|work=KOFIC|archive-date=May 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521134755/http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/films/index/filmsView.jsp?movieCd=20139183|url-status=live}}</ref> | native_name = {{Infobox Korean film name/auto|hangul=^역린|hanja=逆鱗}} }} '''''The Fatal Encounter''''' ({{Korean/auto|hangul=^역린|rr=yes|lit='''The King's Wrath'''}}) is a 2014 South Korean period action film based on a real-life assassination attempt on King Jeongjo. Jeongjo is portrayed by Hyun Bin, in his first role in a period film and first acting project after being discharged from mandatory military service.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Sun-min|title=Hyun Bin set to appear in new film|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2970869|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|accessdate=2013-06-05|date=30 April 2013|url-status=usurped|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510190211/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2970869|archivedate=10 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Hye-ji|title=Hyun Bin to Become King in Historical Film|url=http://www.tenasia.com/hyun-bin-to-become-king-in-period-drama-film/|work=TenAsia|accessdate=2013-06-05|date=29 April 2013|archive-date=2014-04-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407081251/http://www.tenasia.com/hyun-bin-to-become-king-in-period-drama-film/|url-status=live|ref=CITEREFLeeHye-ji2013Apr29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hong|first=Grace Danbi|title=Hyun Bin to Return with His First Sageuk Movie|url=http://enewsworld.interest.me/enews/contents.asp?idx=34982|work=enewsWorld|accessdate=2013-06-05|date=29 April 2013}}</ref>
== Background == King Jeongjo (1752–1800) was the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, nicknamed the "King of Misfortune." When he was 10 years old, Jeongjo witnessed the death of his father Crown Prince Sado, who was executed by a royal decree ordered by his grandfather, then-King Yeongjo. During his reign, Jeongjo was subsequently caught in the midst of fierce party strife between the Noron and Soron factions, and survived seven assassination attempts just in his first year as king. The film is inspired by ''Jeongyuyeokbyeon'', one such assassination attempt on Jeongjo by his political opponents in 1777, the king's first year as the nation's ruler. ''The Fatal Encounter'' depicts the 24 hours leading up to that event in Jeongjo's life and those around him.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jin|first=Eun-soo|title=Hyun Bin back as a muscular King Jeongjo|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2987377|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|accessdate=2014-05-20|date=4 April 2014|archive-date=2014-05-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519203911/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2987377|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Conran|first=Pierce|title=In Focus: The Fatal Encounter|url=http://koreanfilm.or.kr/webzine/sub/column.jsp?mode=A_VIEW&wbSeq=70|work=Korean Cinema Today|accessdate=2014-05-07|date=2 May 2014|archive-date=2014-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508025507/http://koreanfilm.or.kr/webzine/sub/column.jsp?mode=A_VIEW&wbSeq=70|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Plot == In 1777, one year after he began his reign, King Jeongjo lives a perilous palace life amidst opposition and threats from those around him who harbor political ambitions. He prepares himself for possible attacks by working out alone in the palace. Jeongjo is a calm and considerate man, but he is also afraid. The only one he trusts is his loyal court servant Gap-soo, called the king's shadow.
When Gap-soo was young, he was sold to a cruel man named Gwang-baek, who illegally and brutally trains orphaned children to become professional assassins. Gap-soo befriends Eul-soo, another orphan who is a few years younger than him. When Gwang-baek is instructed to give one of his children to become a court eunuch, he asks Gap-soo and Eul-soo to play the game of rock-paper-scissors; Gap-soo purposely loses the game in an effort to protect Eul-soo. Thus, Gap-soo is castrated and sent to the royal palace. There he meets Jeongjo, a young boy who is still mourning his father's death. Meanwhile, Eul-soo continues enduring harsh training and grows up as a merciless killer.
Years later, Eul-soo, now the deadliest member of the secret group of assassins, receives orders to kill Jeongjo within 24 hours. He infiltrates the palace, where he falls in love with Wol-hye, a ''kungnyŏ'' (or female court servant). Jeongjo's mother Lady Hyegyŏng is also locked in dangerous conflict with the late King Yeongjo's much younger widow, dowager Queen Jeongsun. Meanwhile, Gap-soo confesses his dark past to Jeongjo and swears to protect him.<ref>{{cite web|last=Do|first=Je-hae|title=Period pieces dominate Korean cinema, TV|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2013/08/201_140401.html|work=The Korea Times|accessdate=2013-08-03|date=2 August 2013|archive-date=2013-08-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130804231645/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2013/08/201_140401.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Cast == * Hyun Bin as King Jeongjo.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hyun Bin Says Acting a Challenge After Military Service|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/04/03/2014040301253.html|work=The Chosun Ilbo|accessdate=2014-04-03|date=3 April 2014|archive-date=2014-04-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140406080053/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/04/03/2014040301253.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hyun Bin Recalls Fitness Regimen Fit for a King for Latest Flick|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/05/16/2014051600536.html|work=The Chosun Ilbo|accessdate=2014-05-16|date=16 May 2014|archive-date=2014-05-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517132404/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/05/16/2014051600536.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lee|first=So-dam|title=Interview: Hyun Bin Regained His Love and Passion for Acting After the Marines|url=http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/66059/interview-hyunbin-talks-about-making-screen-comeback|work=enewsWorld|accessdate=2014-05-21|date=17 May 2014|archive-date=19 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519185620/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/66059/interview-hyunbin-talks-about-making-screen-comeback|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lee|first=So-dam|title=Interview: Hyun Bin's Back Muscles Took 3 Months to Build but Disappeared in 2 Weeks|url=http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/65545/interview-hyunbin-talks-about-building-muscles-for-his-movie|work=enewsWorld|accessdate=2014-05-21|date=17 May 2014|archive-date=2014-05-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521001629/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/65545/interview-hyunbin-talks-about-building-muscles-for-his-movie|url-status=live|ref=CITEREFLeeSo-dam2014May17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Kim|first1=Su-yeon|title=HYUN Bin of THE FATAL ENCOUNTER: A Smart Actor Whose Name Has Proven Trustworthy|url=http://koreanfilm.or.kr/webzine/sub/interview.jsp?mode=A_VIEW&wbSeq=107|website=Korean Cinema Today|accessdate=2014-06-05|date=30 May 2014|archive-date=2014-06-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605053732/http://koreanfilm.or.kr/webzine/sub/interview.jsp?mode=A_VIEW&wbSeq=107|url-status=live}}</ref> ** Goo Seung-hyun as young Jeongjo * Jung Jae-young as Gap-soo/Sang-chaek, an assassin sent to kill the king who goes undercover as a royal eunuch, but who becomes convinced of Jeongjo's fitness to rule.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kang|first=Jung-yeon|title=Jung Jae-young to Join Hyun Bin's Pic|url=http://www.tenasia.com/jung-jae-young-to-join-hyun-bins-pic/|work=TenAsia|accessdate=2013-07-03|date=3 July 2013|archive-date=2014-04-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407080851/http://www.tenasia.com/jung-jae-young-to-join-hyun-bins-pic/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ** Sung Yu-bin as young Sang-chaek * Jo Jung-suk as Eul-soo/Sal-soo, an assassin hired to kill Jeongjo.<ref>{{cite web|last=An|first=So-hyoun|title=''The King's Wrath'' Casts Jo Jeong Seok, Park Sung Woong and Jung Eun Chae|url=http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/42013|work=enewsWorld|accessdate=2013-07-30|date=29 July 2013|archive-date=2013-10-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005152026/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/42013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Hye-ji|title=Cho Jung-seok Joins Hyun Bin's Film|url=http://www.tenasia.com/cho-jung-seok-joins-hyun-bins-film/|work=TenAsia|accessdate=2013-07-30|date=30 July 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407080900/http://www.tenasia.com/cho-jung-seok-joins-hyun-bins-film/|archivedate=7 April 2014|ref=CITEREFLeeHye-ji2013Jul30}}</ref> ** Chun Bo-geun as young Sal-soo * Cho Jae-hyun as Gwang-baek, who kidnaps orphaned children and trains them into ruthless assassins. * Han Ji-min as Queen Jeongsun, the queen dowager, consort of Jeongjo's grandfather King Yeongjo, and Jeongjo's political rival. * Kim Sung-ryung as Lady Hyegyŏng of the Poongsan Hong clan, Jeongjo's mother, who is desperate to save her son. * Park Sung-woong as Hong Guk-yeong, a politician who strongly supports Jeongjo. * Go Bo-gyeol as laundry court lady at palace * Jung Eun-chae as Kang Wol-hye, a female court servant in charge of the king's clothing. ** Lee Jae-hee as young Wol-hye * Song Young-chang as Gu Seon-bok * Lee Do-kyeong as Ahn Guk-rae * Seo Yi-sook as Go Soo-ae * Kim Min-jae as Choi Se-bok * Kim Dae-myung as Kang Yong-hwi * Kim Ju-wan as Hong Sang-beom * Yoo Eun-mi as Bok-bing * Lee Jun-hyeok
== Release == ''The Fatal Encounter'' was released in South Korea on April 30, 2014. The film also had a limited theatrical run in 25 North American cinemas on May 23.<ref>{{cite web|title=''The Fatal Encounter'' to open in North America in May|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140407000758|work=The Korea Herald|accessdate=2014-04-08|date=7 April 2014}}</ref>
== Box office == ''The Fatal Encounter'' attracted 1.7 million admissions and {{SK won|13.1 billion}} ({{USD|12.7 million}}) on its first five days in the theaters. The opening was the biggest for a local release in 2014, though it trailed to debuts of Hollywood tentpoles ''Captain America: The Winter Soldier'' and ''The Amazing Spider-Man 2''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ma|first=Kevin|title=Fatal Encounter has year's best opening|url=http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/fatal-encounter-has-years-best-opening|work=Film Business Asia|accessdate=2014-05-13|date=6 May 2014|archive-date=2014-05-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140511174331/http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/fatal-encounter-has-years-best-opening|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Conran|first=Pierce|title=THE FATAL ENCOUNTER Scores Biggest Korean Opening of 2014|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?mode=VIEW&seq=3018|work=Korean Film Council|accessdate=2014-05-09|date=7 May 2014|archive-date=2011-09-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928122245/http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?mode=VIEW&seq=3018|url-status=live|ref=CITEREFConran2014May07}}</ref>
Despite receiving mostly mixed to negative reviews from critics after its press screening,<ref>{{cite web|last=Sunwoo|first=Carla|title=''Fatal Encounter'' deathly boring|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2988394|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|accessdate=2014-05-20|date=25 April 2014|archive-date=2014-05-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519204418/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2988394|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Claire|title=''Fatal Encounter'' fails to be memorable|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140427000293|work=The Korea Herald|accessdate=2014-04-27|date=27 April 2014|archive-date=2014-04-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427202432/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140427000293|url-status=live|ref=CITEREFLeeClaire2014Apr27}}</ref> the period blockbuster has sold over 3.2 million tickets two weeks since its release.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Claire|title=''Fatal Encounter'' draws 3m viewers|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140511000177|work=The Korea Herald|accessdate=2014-05-13|date=11 May 2014|archive-date=2014-05-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513081120/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140511000177|url-status=live|ref=CITEREFLeeClaire2014May11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kim|first=Hee-eun|title=Hyun Bin's ''Fatal Encounter'' a box-office winner|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2989019|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|accessdate=2014-05-20|date=13 May 2014|archive-date=2014-05-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517161021/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2989019|url-status=live|ref=CITEREFKimHee-eun2014}}</ref>
It grossed {{SK won|29.9 billion}} and sold 3.85 million tickets in South Korea.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/market-share-of-south-korean-films-plummets|title=Market share of South Korean films plummets|first=Stephen|last=Cremin|date=9 July 2014|accessdate=2014-07-09|website=Film Business Asia|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714075132/http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/market-share-of-south-korean-films-plummets|archivedate=14 July 2014}}</ref>
==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Award !! Category !! Recipient !! Result |- | rowspan=10| 2014 | rowspan=3| {{center| 23rd Buil Film Awards}} | Best Cinematography || Go Nak-seon || {{nom}} |- | Best Art Direction || Cho Hwa-sung || {{nom}} |- | Best Music || Mowg || {{nom}} |- | rowspan=4| {{center| 51st Grand Bell Awards<ref>{{cite web|last1=Conran|first1=Pierce|title=ROARING CURRENTS Tops 51st Daejong Film Awards|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?mode=VIEW&seq=3232|website=Korean Film Biz Zone|accessdate=2014-11-25|date=24 November 2014|archive-date=2015-11-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119183849/http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?mode=VIEW&seq=3232|url-status=live|ref=CITEREFConran2014Nov24}}</ref>}} | Best Art Direction || Cho Hwa-sung || {{won}} |- | Best Costume Design || Jeong Gyeong-hee || {{nom}} |- | Best Music || Mowg || {{nom}} |- | Technical Award (martial arts) || Yang Kil-young || {{nom}} |- | rowspan=3 style="text-align:center;" | 1st Korean Film Producers Association Awards | Best Lighting || Cha Sang-kyun || {{won}} |- | Best Art Direction || Cho Hwa-sung || {{won}} |- | Best Sound || Kim Chang-seop || {{won}} |- | rowspan=3| 2015 | {{center| 20th Chunsa Film Art Awards<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ma|first1=Kevin|title=Hard Day leads Chunsa Film Art nominations|url=http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/hard-day-leads-chunsa-film-art-nominations|website=Film Business Asia|accessdate=2015-03-19|date=9 March 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314043837/http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/hard-day-leads-chunsa-film-art-nominations|archivedate=14 March 2015}}</ref>}} | Technical Award || || {{nom}} |- | rowspan=2| {{center| 9th Asian Film Awards<ref>{{cite web|last1=Yoon|first1=Ina|title=Korean Films and Artists Nominated for the Asian Film Awards|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?mode=VIEW&seq=3354|website=Korean Film Biz Zone|accessdate=2015-03-19|date=4 March 2015|archive-date=2017-02-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204125147/http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?mode=VIEW&seq=3354|url-status=live}}</ref>}} | Best Composer || Mowg || {{nom}} |- | Best Costume Designer || Jeong Gyeong-hee || {{nom}} |}
== References == {{reflist|2}}
== External links == * {{official website|http://king2014.kr/}} {{in lang|ko}} * [http://www.cj-entertainment.com/movies/140325-001/the-fatal-encounter ''The Fatal Encounter''] at CJ Entertainment * {{hancinema film|The_Fatal_Encounter|The Fatal Encounter}} * {{kmdb film|13971|The Fatal Encounter}} * {{IMDb title|3479208|The Fatal Encounter}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fatal Encounter, The}} Category:2010s historical action films Category:2014 South Korean films Category:2014 films Category:Films directed by Lee Jae-kyoo Category:Films set in Joseon Category:Lotte Entertainment films Category:South Korean historical action films