Hopeless (Korean: 화란; Hanja: 禍亂; RR: Hwaran) is a 2023 South Korean neo-noirthriller film directed by Kim Chang-hoon and starring Hong Xa-bin in his film debut. The film also features Song Joong-ki and Kim Hyung-seo.[2] The film depicts a teenage boy, Yeon-gyu, who while wanting to escape from his hellish reality, meets the middle boss of a local gang, Chi-geon, and ends up in the world of crime. It premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.[3] The film was released theatrically in South Korea on October 11, 2023.[4]
Premise
Although he never had what he wanted in his 18 years of life, he still struggles to grasp a hope, Yeon-gyoo is a teenage boy who wants to escape his hometown where violence is commonly enacted among neighbors. He only hopes to have a peaceful life with his mother. However, the world never allows him to have a dream nor hope for life. When Yeon-gyoo needs a hand from grown-ups, Chi-geon, a thug of the town, offers a favor. The simple favor leads Yeon-gyoo to explore the world of Chi-geon. It ironically results in Yeon-gyoo gradually falling into Chi-geon's life. Grasping a hope to run away from where he is, he struggles between the border. Can he escape from the town at the end?
^Bae Hyo-joo (September 12, 2023). "송중기 첫 칸 진출작 '화란' 10월11일 개봉" [Song Joong-ki's first film at Cannes, 'Hwaran', opens on October 11th.] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
^Kim Bo-young (October 19, 2023). "'화란' 김종수·정재광·박보경·정만식, 짙은 누아르 완성한 신스틸러들" ['Hwaran' Kim Jong-soo, Jeong Jae-gwang, Park Bo-kyung, Jeong Man-sik, scene stealers who completed the dark noir] (in Korean). Edaily. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
^Lee, Seung-hoon (May 7, 2024). '무빙'→'서울의 봄' 대상..'파묘'는 4관왕 [제60회 백상예술대상][종합] ['Moving' → 'Seoul Spring' Grand Prize..'Buried Grave' wins 4 awards [60th Baeksang Arts Awards] [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024 – via Naver.
^Hwang, So-young (April 8, 2024). 60회 맞은 '백상예술대상' TV·영화·연극 후보 공개 [60th 'Baeksang Arts Awards' TV, Film and Theater Candidates Revealed] (in Korean). JTBC News. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024 – via Naver.
^Kim Yu-jin (November 6, 2023). 제44회 청룡영화상 후보 발표...'밀수'·'콘크리트 유토피아' 11개 부문 최다 노미네이트 [44th Blue Dragon Film Awards Nominations Announced...'Smuggling'-'Concrete Utopia' Receive Most Nominations in 11 Categories]. X-ports News (in Korean). Retrieved April 9, 2024 – via Naver.
^Baek Ji-eun (November 24, 2023). [44th청룡] 김혜수, 영원한 청룡영화상 "후회없이 충실했던 30년, 모든 순간이 영광"(종합) [[44th Blue Dragon] Kim Hye-soo, Eternal Blue Dragon Film Award ㅊ30 years of faithfulness without regrets, every moment is glorious" (Comprehensive)]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved April 9, 2024 – via Naver.