If you are a fan of Netflix’s “Descendants of the Sun” and “Vincenzo Cassano,” then guys, you are in love with Song Joong Ki. Yes! Is he on a break? No!. He made a big comeback with Netflix’s new Korean crime-drama film “Bogota: City of the Lost.” Let’s see more details about his journey into becoming the underworld boss, whether it’s a yay or a nay.
The Rise of an Immigrant
The plot is quite straightforward. Set in 1997, South Korea suffers a big financial crisis, forcing teenager Song Guk Hee and his family to travel to Bogotá, Colombia, for better. However, they immediately get mugged & lose all their savings. On the brink of survival, he joins Park Jung-su in the local black market. The rest of the scenes follow how his quick wit and risk-taking nature help them to crack bigger smuggling deals.
When he meets a greedy customs broker “Soo Young”, his wild life is transformed from a broken immigrant into a fearless criminal boss. But will he sustain the heat or remain as the underdog in a foreign country? Watch “Bogota,” readily available on Netflix.
Guns and Vibes
Director Kim Seong-Je should be appreciated for not overdoing the main concept of the film, violence and action. Sometimes we might feel that even its Bogota, the story is too centered on Korean characters. The feeling of family ties or moral compass is just put there to prove that Guk Hee has a weakness, and they might cost his journey. But they haven’t used them well. The film can explore more of his ambitions, vulnerabilities, and difficulties to get there, then it would’ve become a great watch.
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Character development
Song Joong Ki, as a 19-year-old Song Guk Hee gave a magnificent performance as usual. He showed different phases & emotions of the character as much as the lacking plotline can provide. Side characters like Kwon Hae Hyo, Lee Hee Joon, and Kim Jong Soo did decent acting; However, over time, there is no development in their roles, they’re simplified just to serve the purpose of the rising hero. Still, it’s interesting to watch them strive in a foreign land and become bosses, unrealistic but ok, it works in the end.
Final Verdict
If you have previously watched the protagonist in a web series, then “Bogota” serves the right love for fans. Else, for the remaining, it’s not really a new concept that deserves appreciation. Coming as an underdog & choking the masters for the gangster chair has been done better in many violent films like Mafia and Pushpa. It’s a good one-time watch.
IMDb: 5.4/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 55% My Ratings:3.5/5
Written by: Meghana Pinninti