Troll Factory
DirectorAhn Gooc-jin
ScreenplayAhn Gooc-jin
ProducerSeo Yeon
CinematographyCho Hyung-rae
EditingHan Mi-yeon
MusicCho Young-wook
DistributorAcemaker Movieworks
ReleasedMarch 27, 2024
Runtime109 minutes[1]
CountrySouth Korea
LanguageKorean
GrossUS$6.7 million[2][3]
Troll Factory
Hangul^댓@글_부대
Hanja댓글部隊
LkComment Army

Troll Factory () is a 2024 South Korean crime thriller 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. The film 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.[4]

Plot

A talented but overly conceited journalist, Im Sang-jin, is investigating corporate corruption involving the conglomerate Manjeon. However, his report is later revealed to be false, leading to his suspension. One day, a mysterious informant approaches him, claiming to have manipulated public opinion online.[5]

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.[6]
  • Kim Sung-cheol as Jjingppeotking, the de facto leader who takes the lead in manipulating public opinion.[6]
  • Kim Dong-hwi as Chattatkat, an anonymous writer who creates hooked stories and an informant.[6]
  • Hong Kyung as Paeptaek, a keyboard warrior who becomes increasingly addicted to the power of online public opinion manipulation.[6]
  • Lee Seon-hee as Pyo Ha-jeong, editor-in-chief of a newspaper company.[7]
  • Kim Jun-han as Nam Ki-hong, the head of the public opinion team.[1]
  • Oh Ye-ju as Lee Eun-chae, a college student.[8]

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.[9]

It is produced by Cinematic Moment and distributed by Acemaker Movieworks.[10]

Casting

Son Suk-ku was offered the role of the main character in July 2022.[10]

The appearance of Son along with Kim Dong-hwi were confirmed in January 2023.[11][12] Followed by Kim Sung-cheol and Hong Kyung in February 2023.[13][14]

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.[15]

Filming

Principal photography began on March 6, 2023.[16]

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.[15]

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.[15]

Accolades

Award ceremonyYearCategoryNomineeResult
Director's Cut Awards2025Best New Actor (Film)Hong Kyung[17]

References

  1. ^ Jung, Soo-jin (March 21, 2024). "ko:[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 March 25, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 25, 2024. – via Naver
  2. ^ "Troll Factory". 31315820. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  3. ^ "KOBIZ - Korean Film Biz Zone : Yearly BoxOffice [2024]". KOFIC. Archived July 8, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  4. ^ Son, Jung-bin (January 31, 2024). "ko: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 March 25, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 25, 2024. – via Naver
  5. ^ Son, Jung-bin (January 31, 2024). "ko: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 March 25, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 25, 2023. – via Naver
  6. ^ Cho, Yeon-gyeong (January 31, 2024). "ko:"여론 조작" 손석구·김성철·���동휘·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. Archived March 25, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 25, 2024. – via Naver
  7. ^ Lee, Nam-kyung (March 22, 2024). "ko: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. Archived March 25, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 25, 2024. – via Naver
  8. ^ "ko:신예 오예주, 영화 '댓글부대'로 충무로 데뷔···이은채 역" (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. March 27, 2024. Archived December 15, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  9. ^ Lee, Chang-gyu (July 29, 2022). "ko: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. Archived March 25, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 25, 2024. – via Naver
  10. ^ Jung, Yoo-jin (July 29, 2022). "ko:[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 March 25, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 25, 2024. – via Naver
  11. ^ Choi, Ji-ye (January 27, 2023). "ko:[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 March 25, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 25, 2024. – via Naver
  12. ^ Choi, Ji-ye (January 27, 2023). "ko:[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 August 29, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 25, 2024. – via Naver
  13. ^ Cho, Yeon-gyeong (February 20, 2023). "ko:[단독] '대세' 김성철 '댓글부대' 합류...손석구 만난다" [[Exclusive] 'Trend' Kim Sung-cheol joins 'The Comments Army'...Meet Son Seok-gu] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived March 25, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 25, 2024. – via Naver
  14. ^ Kim, Bo-ra (February 20, 2023). "ko:[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 March 25, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 15, 2024. – via Naver
  15. ^ Kim, Yeon-ju (March 13, 2024). "ko:'댓글부대', '오징어게임'→'콘유' 제작진 뭉쳤다" ['The Comments Army', 'Squid Game'→'Concrete Utopia' production crew unite]. TV Report. Archived March 25, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 25, 2024. – via Naver
  16. ^ Cho, Ji-young (March 7, 2023). "ko:[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 August 29, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 25, 2024. – via Naver
  17. ^ Kim Mi-hwa (April 22, 2025). "ko:유아인, 남자배우상 후보→여자배우상은 김고은vs김고은 [디렉터스컷 어워즈]" (in Korean). Star News. Naver. Archived April 22, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 22, 2025.