rashid-popal The movie starts with a good note and develop its main Character very well. Someone wants to be heard and will do anything to do so. The middle also continues with the suspense. However, its here when things get unreal and ridiculous. For example, the way the Police Commissioner handles the situation is very unreal and comically dramatic. My major disappointment with the movie though was the ending. With all the built up suspense, the ending left me unsatisfied. I was waiting for something big. Something that could have justified the action of the protagonist. but it didn't. I waited and waited for the plot twist, but never got it. Even with the director intended to, it was pretty obvious for me. Great potential, but rather turned out to be another predictable drama then a thriller with a message. 1 time watch if you have nothing else to do and have seen all the other great Korean thrillers twice. :)

RealDuality The Terror Live is not a film Hollywood is capable of making these days. It is the type of introspective, awe inspiring work that was plentiful in the 70's, but with the control from corporate executives now, it no longer exists there. The movie doesn't follow a politically correct or stereotypical path that they find necessary for deep themes. And, it is a real shame that this class of film is absent in LA, because most Americans don't watch many foreign movies, plus the country has struggled with understanding certain important issues, like the one this film has.The incredible picture will move an audience with the terror, but it is the dialogue that makes the insides jump. Quentin Tarantino would be envious of its quality. The terrorist, who begins by blowing up a bridge, speaks in short, simple bursts. His anger is palpable, as is his singular focus. The news personality, who tries to take advantage of the opportunity to speak to him, has ambitions that cloud his mind, but his strong will gains one's sympathies. Ha Jung-woo, known for his work in The Chaser and The Yellow Sea, as this radio talk show host, is able to show us the character's great difficulties in his bout to maintain his professionalism while he and his love are in danger. He provides a window into seeing that these media folk are real people whose emotions are forced to be controlled in the name of journalism or impartiality subtly with great skill. The terrorist desperately wants the former anchor to show that he doesn't share everyone else's apathy, as well as expose the corruption in the media and government. Their battle mainly takes place in words, which are the real ultimate weapon.Kim Byeong-woo's direction is almost on par with his writing. That the cuts come quickly in some moments and don't make the viewer dizzy, is a testament to his discipline. He uses it to heighten the suspense, choosing precise times and interesting angles. His take with news footage and shots of TV's gives the spectator the feel of what this aspect of the world is really like; and, even more compellingly, his selection of the look behind cameras at a couple turning points is inspired. The film starts out fast, making it captivating right away, but it is the second and ultimately the third act, that makes this movie so special. The places that it manages to go is amazing, and the ending will leave one breathless.9.5/10

gothic_a666 The Terror Live is a very tight thriller in the best Korean tradition. It follows a former successful TV news anchor Yoon who has been demoted to a radio host. One day an upset caller threatens to blow up a bridge only to be dismissed, needless to say it was no mere idle threat and in a matter of seconds after the call is over a bridge does did explode.Thus begins a tense back and forth between Yoon and the terrorist while the nation watches in growing horror.There are many good things going for this movie. The real time format never gives the viewer a break and the tension builds up to such a pitch as to be almost palpable. This comes across through the main's superb acting, the actor's voice and demeanor carry his distress as he scrambles for self-mastery in facing the cameras installed in his radio studio. What at first seemed like the chance of a lifetime as Yoon puts it, the perfect opportunity for going back to his television stardom, degenerates into a veritable nightmare on all fronts. Yoon pays greatly for his choice of exploiting the terrorist attack for his career.It is interesting how The Terror Live focuses exclusively on domestic terror. The highly contentious neighbor country of North Korea is not even mentioned, the movie is firmly steeped in a South Korean reality through and through. The very premise of the media having such a swaying control fits well with South Korean society.Strangely enough social media plays no part in this movie but it does feel very modern. The shooting style, with well thought out closeups to heighten intensity and almost exclusively centered on the studio, creates an atmosphere of claustrophobia.This is a very Korean movie so one should expect a great blurring of the line between terrorism and highly corrupt authorities, there are no heroes here to speak of but the human element comes across through the haze of panic.A few minor plot points keep this from reaching perfection but it is a remarkably well crafted movie and well worth watching. And it could happen in real life. Almost.

waileukwu AS all movie reviews should begin, I would like to describe what the technical details of this movie. This film is clipped in such a way that the pace is suffocating, crisp with constant camera angle tilts. The seldom use of 'on air' footage brings the immersion it needs to carry the audience away such that it brings about a spectacular effect. Special effects are reminiscence of the recent Korean special effects, which meant top quality Hollywood style full of explosions. In a way, this movie is the paradigm of Korea movies that involves minimal background...And then . . . Well, after you watch this movie, you will know that what I just said is complete nonsense . . .Terror Live is so much more than that. In a way, this movie is a cult film, though I always thought that cult movies' shooting style involves massive amount of makeup, black humor, but never thought of a backroom that ended up dealing with terrorist activities. No, this is a cult, but not a typical one. So the movie, to its genre, is a movie that is impeccable. It reveals how mass media works , talks openly about social problems, caring not to cover the most corrupted part of human nature. I can't help but think if Hollywood was to shoot a movie like this, it would be about the anchor soloing the terrorist, which would be hilarious of course (and ridiculous).But thank God Hollywood did not shoot this film, but rather, Korea. Spoiler ALERT: Let's talk about the plot. Starts off really simple, with a 'terrorist' calling a depressed anchor. This anchor is laidened with scandal and had recently divorced, but he had ambition still. When the terrorist detonated the bridge, he immediately took action, turning his tiny room into a live news room and went live with it. The terrorist breaks out a tale of poor workmen who died years earlier, and demanded the president of Korea to appear on stage to apologise. Anchor tried to negotiate, but found that his earpiece was also live...in the sense that a bomb is installed inside, of which he was force to stay and broadcast (as he wanted to back out). Negotiation continued, but both the president and the terrorist refuse to give up what each other wanted, and the anchor was stuck. And as we all know that the longer stalemates continues, the worse it gets, the terrorist detonated places one by one, ending up with his possible lair, ending up with...it is a tragedy, one that ends with a ka-boom that felt more like a punch to the heart than a joyous bang. Indeed, short story short, the movie ambitiously takes up a front against the problem with the modern society, about who is in charge. Is it the people? The government? Or is it the media? an anchor obsessed with taking bribes is demoted to take advantage of this opportunity to make a turnaround ; one because they were kicked and retaliation directed radio report leaked to the opponent ; leading a snc television ratings can be sacrificed for hostages and his own subordinates anchor ; Director of a headstrong police did not result in the eye of the terrorists were killed ; there is a frame of terrorism offenses and a director of the Office of Cheong Wa Dae refused to apologize, only to hear the sound of the last president, staged a safeguard their own interests in their respective positions on the play . No good nor bad is exactly labeled, but in the end, all who watched the movie will grimace at how humanity was presented. There is the government, but it only showed its arrogant and darkness. There are good folks, but ultimately they are, all of them, flawed. Indifferent president, ambitious anchor, greedy boss, arrogant police chief, the flaccid director against terrorism, and the terrorist. Finally I have to commend Jung-woo Ha. His performance one of the most amazing I have seen in recent Korean film industry. In the first 10 minutes you will witness some of the most subtle yet stunning image change from a rather sloppy radio personality to a believable anchor man. Then, next hour you will spend gnawing your finger as the you witness his face turning from anticipation to fear to anger to regret, yet manage to keep his show alive. Then...you have the end. Well, that was surely a boss way to end the movie. Bravo, well done.It is highly recommended for those thrill seekers who are sick of pure action. It is highly recommended for those who are sick of the government (no it is not promoting anarchy, but rather the helplessness of the general public, but it does make the gov look horrible). It is highly recommended for those who want to see some highly intelligent conversations. It is highly recommended for those who loves ending with a blast. It is a 'terrible'movie beautifully done for it encompass a nation within a simple TV room, and the movie itself is one of the best in recent Korea.