Flying is one of the safest forms of public transportation, but the situation changes dramatically when terrorists hijack a plane. Hijacking films are a notable subgenre of action movies, and there are significantly more of them than films about train or cruise ship hijackings. This year's Korean film, “Hijack 1971,” distinguishes itself from others in the genre by its historical and political backdrop, providing viewers with a distinctive emotional experience that goes beyond the typical thriller elements.
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True Story in the 1970s South Korea
"Hijack 1971" is challenging to replicate in other countries due to its specific setting amidst the tense relations between North and South Korea in the 1970s. Beyond the typical hijacking narrative, the film delves into politically charged themes, including elements of McCarthyism. On December 11, 1969, North Korean agents hijacked a Korean Air flight from Gangneung to Seoul's Gimpo Airport just ten minutes after takeoff and diverted it to Pyongyang. Two months later, North Korea returned 39 of the 50 passengers, but the fate of the remaining 11—four crew members and seven passengers—remains unknown. In 1971, a similar incident occurred when a Korean Air flight, call sign HL5212, was hijacked shortly after takeoff and directed to North Korea. Hijack 1971 is based on this event involving HL5212. These hijackings were distinct in their political implications:
The primary suspect in the 1969 incident was Cho Ch'ang-hŭi, a South Korean soldier who had been in contact with North Korea even after the Korean War. Acting on North Korean orders, he orchestrated the hijacking. North Korea’s motive for such kidnappings, which were part of a broader scheme targeting South Korea and Japan during the 1970s, remains unclear. This strategy, termed "foreign espionage activities" by North Korea, may have been aimed at addressing a shortage of skilled individuals, but the true reasons are still debated. A significant number of South Koreans, Japanese, and some Westerners were abducted and taken to North Korea through various risky methods, unable to return.
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Hijack 1971 does not explicitly address the underlying reasons for North Korea’s kidnappings. Instead, it focuses on the aftermath of the hijacking: the extensive bullying suffered by the hijackers' families. These ordinary people, bewildered by the actions of their relatives, faced severe psychological and physical abuse, leading to resentment and poor choices. The film cleverly sidesteps the broader political motives of North Korea’s actions and highlights an issue more familiar to South Korean audiences: the rise of McCarthyism fuelled by anti-communist sentiment in the 1970s.
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Ha Jung-woo and Jin-goo Yeo: Outstanding Performance
In this genre of film, the protagonist often grapples not only with the immediate hostage situation but also with personal dilemmas. For instance, John McClane in “Die Hard” deals with marital problems, while the antagonist in “Speed” becomes the focus of protagonist Jack Traven’s quest for revenge. “Hijack 1971” follows a similar pattern; its protagonist, co-pilot Tae-in, previously faced a challenging moral decision that was widely criticized. Now, he is confronted with a similar crisis, and his actions will impact not only himself but also the 59 passengers and crew members he is responsible for.
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Ha Jung-woo, who starred in the disaster action film “Ashfall” as a character caught between the political tensions of North and South Korea, returns in “Hijack 1971”. Directed by Sung-han Kim, who also directed “Ashfall”, this film offers Ha Jung-woo a more intimate role compared to the geopolitical drama of “Ashfall”. Here, he must navigate negotiations with hijackers, manage a disabled captain, and handle hostages—all while confronting his own past. Unlike the large-scale action of “Ashfall”, “Hijack 1971” gives Ha Jung-woo more space to showcase his acting skills, including intense expressions and emotional moments, as he strives to connect with the audience.
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Jin-goo Yeo plays Yong-dae, the hijacker who, in the first half of the film, represents North Korea with his brutal methods and weak motives. His actions condemn many passengers, who were on their way to Seoul for a new beginning, to a life of endless suffering. As the film progresses, Yong-dae’s true motives are revealed, aiming to elicit sympathy from the audience by drawing parallels with real-life witch hunts.
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How Far Can One Go in Upholding Beliefs
Will the audience sympathize with Yong-dae? This is subjective, as many viewers are likely to feel a stronger connection to Ha Jung-woo’s character, who suffers at Yong-dae’s hands. Before its release, Yong-dae's portrayal was clear: he would not soften his character’s actions, especially given that some hostages from the previous Korean Air YS-11 hijacking still have not returned home after 55 years. With their families still holding out hope, this narrative choice makes sense. Thus, “Hijack 1971” stays true to the real events of the HL5212 hijacking without distorting the truth (such as whitewashing the criminal) and instead highlights the heroic nature of Ha Jung-woo’s role as the copilot.
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Viewers are expected to be moved by the copilot’s bravery and selflessness, which sets “Hijack 1971” apart from other hijacking action films like “Drop Zone” or “Executive Decision”. Unlike those films, Ha Jung-woo’s character does not engage in physical combat with the hijackers. The film’s entertainment value lies in its portrayal of the dark political climate between North and South Korea in the 1970s and the moral integrity embodied by Ha Jung-woo’s character. Rather than focusing on missiles or plane crashes, “Hijack 1971” explores the extent to which one can go to uphold their beliefs, making it a distinct kind of hijacking movie. For South Korean viewers, the film will likely evoke a deep reflection on the tragedies of that era as they leave the cinema.
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