This legendary movie, starring Cha Seung Won & Kim Hye Soo, opened the heyday for gangster comedy genre 22 years ago
It’s been exactly 22 years since the premiere of the famous gangster film “Kick the Moon”.
On this day 22 years ago today (June 23rd, 2001), the comedy-action film “Kick the Moon (Korean title: Silla’s Moon Night)”, which depicts the reunion of two men with contrasting fates, was released.
Choi Ki Dong (Cha Seung Won), a student who is good at fighting, and model student Park Young Joon (Lee Sung Jae) go on a field trip with their school to Gyeongju.
On the last day, a legendary fight takes place. Choi Ki Dong takes the lead, while Park Young Joon gets left behind as he stops to tie his shoelaces. In the end, the teachers punish Choi Ki Dong, and Park Young Joon gets ostracized and bullied by other friends.
After 10 years, the two coincidentally reunite and their lives are completely reversed.
Choi Ki Dong is now a teacher who looks like a gangster, while Park Young Joon has become the No.1 gangster. The two greet each other warmly but feel uncomfortable when recalling the incident 10 years ago.
Then, Min Joo Ran (Kim Hye Soo), who owns a ramen restaurant, comes in between the two men, triggering a fierce rivalry between them over winning Joo Ran’s heart.
However, Min Joo Ran’s younger brother Min Joo Seop (Lee Jong Soo) intervenes in their relationship. Joo Seop is a famous troublemaker at Ki Dong’s school who admires the gangster. After meeting Young Joon, Joo Seop decides to become his successor.
The Korean title of “Kick the Moon” was inspired by the song sung by a Hyun In. This film was directed by Kim Sang Jin, who previously made a big hit with “Attack the Gas Station!” in 1999, and his assistants.
In an interview with Kookmin Ilbo in July 2001, director Kim said, “The creative planning and the excellent performances of the actors are among the factors that contributed to the success of this film, but I think the movie title is the best thing. It gave off a retro feeling, similar to ‘Friend’ (2001). I was worried a lot about it but still decided to go ahead with it in my own style and the movie eventually did well”.
In addition, while completing the final stage of the production, director Kim Sang Jin struggled with whether to put Lee Sung Jae or Cha Seung Won first in the credit. As a result, he decided to name Lee Sung Jae first in the opening credit, then prioritized Cha Seung Won’s name in the ending credit.
“Kick the Moon” surpassed the break-even point by attracting over 1.07 million viewers within only 9 days of its release. Gathering a total of 4.8 million moviegoers, it opened the heyday for the gangster comedy genre.
Source: Daum
