''The Divine Move'' () is a 2014 South Korean

action film Action film is a film genre in which the protagonist is thrust into a series of events that typically involve violence and physical feats. The genre tends to feature a mostly resourceful hero struggling against incredible odds, which include life ...

directed by Jo Bum-gu. It stars

Jung Woo-sung Jung Woo-sung (born March 20, 1973) is a South Korean actor and the first Korean UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. Jung started his career as a fashion model, rising to stardom and teenage cult status with the gangster movie ''Beat'' (1997), for which ...

as a former baduk player, and revolves around his quest for revenge. The title refers to a particularly brilliant move, considered to be a "once in a lifetime" experience for only the best professionals, in the

board game Board games are tabletop games that typically use . These pieces are moved or placed on a pre-marked board (playing surface) and often include elements of table, card, role-playing, and miniatures games as well. Many board games feature a comp ...

baduk (called Go in the West) which often turns what was a losing or close game into a winning effort at the most crucial moment. A prequel spin-off, '' The Divine Move 2: The Wrathful'', was released on November 7, 2019.

Plot

Professional baduk player Tae-seok loses a high-stakes game to infamous underground gambler Sal-soo, and ends up framed for the murder of his own brother and locked up in prison. He vows revenge and trains ferociously. After serving his seven-year sentence, he gets in touch with his brother's former associate "Tricks," hermit and blind master player "The Lord," and skillful junkyard owner Mok-su, "the Carpenter"; together, they begin formulating a plan to get back at Sal-soo and his men. Tae-seok slowly penetrates Sal-soo's inner circle and his gambling joint, and eliminates Sal-soo's men one by one. But Sal-soo discovers Tae-seok's true identity and engages him in one final game that will seal the fates of the two men involved.

Cast

as Tae-seok *

Lee Beom-soo Lee Beom-soo (born January 3, 1970) is a South Korean actor. He is well known for his role in ''Singles'', ''Giant'', '' On Air'', '' Surgeon Bong Dal-hee, ''as well as in'' History of a Salaryman.'' Lee enrolled in the Department of Theater ...

as Sal-soo *

Ahn Sung-ki Ahn Sung-ki (born January 1, 1952) is a South Korean actor. One of the country's most respected actors, he has appeared in more than 130 films during his career of over 60 years. Career A native of Seoul, Ahn was the son of a veteran filmmaker ...

as Joo-nim ("The Lord") *

Kim In-kwon Kim In-kwon (born January 20, 1978) is a South Korean actor. Known for playing memorable supporting characters, he starred in his first leading role in the sleeper hit ''He's on Duty'' (2010), followed by ''Almost Che'' (2012), '' Born to Sing'' ( ...

as Kkong-soo ("Tricks") *

Lee Si-young Lee Si-young (born Lee Eun-rae on April 17, 1982) is a South Korean actress and former amateur boxer. Early life Born Lee Eun-rae in Cheongwon County, North Chungcheong Province, her family moved to Seoul when she was 9 years old. Lee majore ...

as Bae-kkob ("Belly button") *

Ahn Gil-kang Ahn Gil-kang (born August 24, 1966) is a South Korean actor. He frequently appears as a supporting actor in director Ryoo Seung-wan's films, such as ''Die Bad'' (2000), ''Crying Fist'' (2005), ''The City of Violence'' (2006), and ''Dachimawa Lee' ...

as Carpenter Heo *Lee Do-kyeong as Master Wang *

Choi Jin-hyuk Choi Jin-hyuk (, born Kim Tae-ho, February 9, 1986) is a South Korean actor. He gained attention for his supporting roles in ''Gu Family Book'' and ''The Heirs'', and then went on to star in lead roles in '' Emergency Couple'', ''Pride and Prej ...

as Seon-soo ("Player") *

Jung Hae-kyun Jung Hae-kyun (; born August 16, 1968) is a South Korean actor. He is known for his roles in '' The Villainess'', '' Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds'' and ''Confession of Murder ''Confession of Murder'' (; lit. "I Am the Murderer") is a 2 ...

as Adari *

Ahn Seo-hyun Ahn Seo-hyun (born January 12, 2004) is a South Korean actress. She began her career as a child actress in 2008, and has since appeared in films and television series such as '' The Housemaid'' (2010), '' Single-minded Dandelion'' (2014) and th ...

as Ryang-ryang *Kim Myung-soo as Tae-seok's older brother *Hwang Choon-ha as Hunchbacked minion *Lee Il-seop as Master Noh *Kim Se-dong as Master Lee *Kim Joo-myeong as Chinese top *Lee Yong-nyeo as "Open tail" *Yoo Soon-cheol as 70-year-old boss *Hong Seong-deok as Professional cutter *Park Ji-hoon as Acting general *Yoon Hee-cheol as Elderly senior *

Kim So-jin Kim So-jin (born 1979) is a South Korean actress. She is known for playing a prosecutor in crime drama '' The King'' (2017), for which she received critical acclaim and won several awards, including the Blue Dragon Film Award, Grand Bell Awa ...

as Young-sook *Yoo Jae-sang as Tae-seok's nephew *

Choi Il-hwa Choi Il-hwa (born May 9, 1959) is a South Korean actor. He joined the Madang Sesil Theatre Group in 1983, and has since continued acting in Korean theater, television and film. Filmography Film *'' No Tomorrow (2016) *''Wonderful Nightmare'' ...

as Mob leader *Kim Hong-pa as Warden *Kwon Tae-won as Soft touch president *

Bae Seong-woo Bae Seong-woo (born November 21, 1972) is a South Korean actor. He starred in film such as ''Confession of Murder'' (2012), '' My Love, My Bride'' (2014), ''Office'' (2015), '' The Exclusive: Beat the Devil's Tattoo'' (2015) and ''Inside Men ...

as Mahjong man

Box office

Since opening in South Korea on July 3, 2014, the film has grossed () on 3.5 million admissions.

International release

''The Divine Move'' received a limited theatrical release in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

on July 25, 2014. It was screened in seven major cities in Germany from August 27 to September 21, 2014 as part of the local

Fantasy Filmfest The Fantasy Filmfest, short FFF, is an international genre film festival held annually around September in major German cities. Award In 2006, the Fantasy Filmfest established an audience award, named ''Fresh Blood Award'', for the best first o ...

's lineup.

Awards and nominations

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Divine Move, The 2014 films 2014 crime action films 2014 martial arts films South Korean crime action films South Korean martial arts films South Korean neo-noir films Go films South Korean films about revenge Showbox films 2010s South Korean films