New Korean Films: ‘Huminnt’, ‘Number One’, & ‘No Mercy’ – Release Updates & Plot Details

The Korean film landscape is heating up with a slate of new releases poised to capture audiences during the Lunar New Year holiday. Among them are two distinctly different, yet compelling, Korean films: the action thriller Huminnt and the emotionally resonant drama Number One.

Spy Games and Shifting Loyalties in Huminnt

Huminnt centers on a National Intelligence Service (NIS) black ops agent, Jo Gwang (played by Jo In-sung), who is tracking international crime in Southeast Asia. The film takes a turn when he encounters Chae Seon-hwa (Shin Se-kyung), a North Korean restaurant worker, and recruits her for a new operation. Simultaneously, Park Geun (Park Jung-min), a security officer from the North Korean Ministry of State Security, arrives in Vladivostok to investigate a disappearance, uncovering a conspiracy involving the North Korean consul, Hwang Chi-sung (Park Hae-joon).

The narrative unfolds as these characters collide in Vladivostok, each driven by their own objectives. As suspicion mounts and the truth becomes increasingly elusive, their choices lead them down irreversible paths. The film promises a complex web of intrigue, moving beyond a typical spy thriller to explore themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the blurred lines between right and wrong.

A Mother’s Love and a Mysterious Countdown in Number One

Shifting gears dramatically, Number One presents a poignant story about a mother and son. Ha Min’s ordinary life is thrown into turmoil when he begins to see numbers appear after eating his mother’s home-cooked meals. These numbers, he soon discovers, represent the time remaining until his mother’s life is threatened. As the numbers dwindle, Ha Min desperately tries to avoid his mother’s cooking, attempting to protect her from an unknown danger.

The film explores the deep bond between a mother and son, and the lengths to which one will go to safeguard the other. It’s a story that promises to resonate with audiences during the holiday season, evoking feelings of nostalgia and appreciation for the simple comforts of home.

AI Justice and a Fight for Freedom in No Mercy: 90 Minutes

Adding another layer to the Korean film offerings is No Mercy: 90 Minutes, a futuristic thriller set in 2029. In a world where AI has replaced judges, juries, and even executioners, a disillusioned detective named Raven (the actor’s name is not provided) designed the AI judicial system known as Mercy. However, he finds himself on the wrong side of the law when he is accused of his wife’s murder and sentenced to death by the very system he created.

With only 90 minutes to prove his innocence, Raven embarks on a desperate race against time, scouring CCTV footage, social media, communication records, and biometric data. But every piece of evidence seems to strengthen the case against him. The film raises profound questions about the nature of justice, the limitations of artificial intelligence, and the importance of human judgment.

The film’s premise, a man fighting against an unyielding AI system, taps into contemporary anxieties about the increasing role of technology in our lives. The stakes are incredibly high, and the film promises a gripping and thought-provoking cinematic experience.

These three films – Huminnt, Number One, and No Mercy: 90 Minutes – represent a diverse range of genres and themes, offering Korean audiences a compelling selection of entertainment options during the Lunar New Year holiday. While Huminnt delivers high-octane action and espionage, Number One tugs at the heartstrings with its emotional core, and No Mercy: 90 Minutes challenges viewers to contemplate the future of justice in an increasingly automated world.