Officer Black Belt (2024)

Officer Black Belt Korean Movie Reviews

Officer Black Belt marks Kim Woo Bin's triumphant return to action-packed cinema, blending thrilling martial arts sequences with social commentary.

The film follows Lee Jung Do, a seemingly ordinary man who works at his father’s chicken restaurant but secretly possesses exceptional martial arts skills. His life changes when he steps in to save a probation officer, leading him to temporarily join the ranks of law enforcement, tackling dangerous criminals and reevaluating his life choices.

The movie is not just about fast-paced action; it delves into significant societal issues, including South Korea’s lax sexual assault laws and child safety concerns. The plot critiques the justice system while delivering an emotional narrative about duty and morality. However, some narrative elements, such as the ease with which Jung Do navigates law enforcement, may feel a bit unrealistic.

Kim Woo Bin shines in the lead role, bringing emotional depth and physical prowess to the character, making his martial arts scenes particularly gripping. The dynamic between Woo Bin and Kim Sung Kyun (playing probation officer Kim Sun Min) adds further emotional weight to the story, making it more than just an action spectacle.

While Officer Black Belt has some narrative flaws, including the handling of sensitive topics, it succeeds in offering a thrilling watch with timely messages about justice and protection

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One of the Best Movies I've Seen

Honestly, it's widely known to many that Kim Woo-bin never misses with anything he acts in. But this movie is not only one of the best pieces of work he's taken part in but also genuinely one of the best action movies I've seen. The plot is engaging; first capturing your attention with the ML being an adrenaline junky. He spends most of his days practicing, sparing, or playing video games while also making deliveries for his father's restaurant. Maybe doesn't sound great at first but the way it's filmed makes you (at least it made me) almost feel the adrenaline too.

The ML is almost innocent in his lack of knowledge about the criminal world but he's got a good heart. Never turning away from a challenge and not turning his back on anyone in need. And I could feel the growth he experienced throughout the film as he went from someone who was just in the job temporarily because he thought the concept of fighting a bunch of "ex-cons" all day/night was fun to someone who found purpose in what they were doing. The ML captured my heart in a way that I could feel his pain when something went wrong or someone got hurt. He cares and he makes you feel it with him.

I'll definitely rewatch this and recommend this to anyone wanting a great action film that really gets you invested in what happens on screen.

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Perfect! I really liked it

This movie had amazing action, nice friendship dynamics and even a bit humor! Though if you are sensitive to the topics of sexual assault / rape (especially towards children) then you shouldn't watch this movie alone.

I personally really like that they stocked to material art until the end, expect for a few expectations where he used a teaser or threw things at the guys, instead of only using it halfway through and then sticking to only weapons. I have seen a lot of kdrama and movies that involved too many guns which in my opinion is a bit unnecessary, maybe I'm just a bit old-fashioned in this but I prefer my action with proper fights so I definitely wasn't disappointed in this movie at all.

I also really like that none of the friends of the main lead didn't get hurt or that there wasn't any "betrayal" kind of thing. Also really like that the main cast didn't smoke at all, I've seen a lot movies/dramas where they made one or multiple of the main cast smoke so they seem more "badass" which is so unnecessary in my opinion.

I also really liked that it was a happy end, as I personally don't like sad noir open ends.

Only thing I didn't like is that one incident but nothing I would give less stars for.

I kept rooting for the ML the whole time especially because he has a good personality and good intentions, very empathetic and selfless.

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needs warnings but loved it

First I want to talk about how this movie needs a few warnings, because there are things in here such as sexual assault that can affect people. Maybe you're casually looking for something to see, find this movie and think it'll be fun but it's not like that 100%. It has such laughable scenes, but it has triggering scenes too. This is not to criticize the movie, I loved it. Just would love to see more movies writing warnings so people don't get triggered while trying to see something new and fun.

Now, the movie. I laughed, got emotional and fristrated. It makes you feel like you're in a rollercoaster of emotions.

Really liked that the main character knew what he wanted for himself since the very beginning, that helped to know who he was without further introduction to his life and gave the main focus to the general plot of the film. Sometimes they focus too much on the main character own story and the focus of the real plot is missed.

He just wanted to have fun at the very beginning and I was worried because of that. It's not a job to just have fun, you're watching over serial killers or assaulters. But then he started to like it and ended doing it for the wellbeing of others.

I could relate to that a bit. Liking your job and doing it for others is what I feel as a nurse.

Thank you to every character in this movie, specially to Jungdo. Thanks Woobin for bringing him alive. He's my one and only actor and I would love to spend hours just watching or listening to him. Really liked how he did every fight, he's such a talented actor (and person) that I admire. Can't wait to see more of him.

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EASY 10!

Jason Kim, you have done it again.

I knew from the moment this movie’s description said “Jason Kim director of Bloodhounds” that this must be just as good. AND DAMN I WAS RIGHT!!!

Kim Woobin fits these type of roles so well, from Black Knight to Officer Black Belt, truly an amazing performance.

Now the thing that roped me in was the plot, and I genuinely have no complaints against this movie. It was entertaining, it was emotional, it had likeable characters (the good ones ofc lol), and above all, the friendships that bloomed and the character development was beautiful. Kim Woobin’s character went from being a little immature and seeking fun in everything and never being serious, to opening a whole new dark world and inevitably getting sucked into it. Its easy to immediately seek out justice once you see what horrible stuff goes on behind closed doors.

Now that everything is coming out in Korea about CP distribution, SA’s and offenders not being properly prosecuted, I feel like this was a perfect movie to come out right now. Maybe it’ll make people of Korea watch this and realise how disgusting and very real these situations are.

Certain scenes were hard to watch since they didn’t censor how disgusting these cases can get, but thankfully it was never cruelly or gruesomely depicted as for example ‘Silenced’ movie did.

So, it’s own level of graphic will make you cry or atleast make you sick to your stomach.

I haven’t watched a movie in one sitting in a while, this was an amazing watch. I truly recommend it! But as always with these type of movies, be careful watching it and make sure you’re in the right headspace to do so.

Amazing movie!

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Well-written and acted, very entertaining : an enjoyable and emotional ride !

This movie is centered around Lee Jung Do who becomes Martial Arts Officer for the Electronic Monitoring Division of the South Korean Police, partnering with Police officers to monitor probationers. It is a topic that I never really see approached in South Korean fictions, so I found the story pretty innovative and super interesting.

The main character is ultra endearing and touching. I love Kim Woo Bin and I never saw him playing that kind of role, requiring such purity and levity : it was extremely well-done and very nuanced. Next to him, Kim Sung Kyun which might be one of my favorite South Korean actor is doing amazing in the role of the probation officer, partnering with the hero. Their mentor-mentee relationship was one of the best part of the scenario. The secondary cast was very good and supported by good writing: frightening bad guys that are serious and credible threats for the nice guys, in addition to believable friendships and family circle.

The filmmaking was very good with very convincing fight scenes which made my heart fasten as it was pretty brutal and worrisome for the parties involved. The soundtrack was pretty good overall in setting the mood during the action sequences, not that memorable but fitting without overpowering.

I would recommend this to people that are looking for a great and entertaining police movie featuring the department that supervises the probationers. In addition to great acting and filmmaking, there are humor, thrills, emotions and character growth. Be mindful of the tags if you have any trigger, it is pretty violent with sex crimes and crimes against children being part of the storytelling.

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Kim Woobin’s dengan karakter barunya

Meski kim woobin gak seaktif actor lain, dia jadi salah satu actor non skip buat gua. 90% drama/filmnya dia selalu gua tonton. Film ini cukup refreshing sih mengingat kebanyakan kim woobin difilm/drama tuh karakternya fierce. Kadang suka nyelenah, dingin, atau sengak tp disini enggak.

Kayanya sih ini pertama kalinya dia berkarakter innocent dengan positive vibe bahkan bukan cuma script tapi raut muka dan gelagat dia pun berkarakter baik, lumayan wow nontonnya. Kerennya dia mampu ngebangun gairah anak muda yang belum banyak pengalaman tergambar dalam film ini. Disini gua gak tau umurnya Jung Do tp gua menduga antara dia gak lama baru lulus sekolah atau kemungkinan gak lebih dari maksimal 27th.

Gua suka banget disini peran senior, bokap dan temen2nya Jung Do tuh dapet semua di porsinya masing2, serasa Jung Do tuh anak baik2 yang dikelilingi orang2 yang care dan udah mengakui eksistensi dia.

Gua juga suka sama garis besar masalah sosial yang diangkat dalam film ini, kasus kejahatan seksual emang makin hari makin nambah, Kalo kita gak super aware pasti akan terus berkembang dan jadi sebuah hal yang biasa buat orang2 aneh itu.

Yang jelas film ini cukup masuk dalam standar menghibur. Upliftingnya juga dapet. Gak kepengen banyak kritik karna gua rasa ngemas pake durasi film dengan hasil kaya gini ya udah bagus.

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"I want to do everything in my power. No regrets."

I am one of those people who thought this was a kdrama, and when I finished this movie, I STILL think it should've been a kdrama.

I was so intrigued by Kim Woobin's character, his friends, his boss and the people that surround him at work---I wanted to know their stories, their families, motivations and how they, too, might continue to inspire others. This is one of the major themes of the movie, which inspires us to find intention in what we do as a living beyond the simple happiness we might find from it. Because the one thing that transcends happiness is the ability to share the pouring passion from your heart and watch as this passion transfers and glows in someone else. Thanks to Officer Jeongdo's dad for that, by the way. Their scenes together as father and son made me cry.

As a sucker for action films, this definitely reached my expectations and I was excited to see how he combined moves from his holy trinity black belts in taekwondo, judo, and kendo. The action scenes were well-orchestrated and made it believable enough that he could take down tens of men at a time.

Now, the surface issue is presented as monitoring ex-convicts with ankle monitors for any suspicious activity, and to especially be on high alert for those with a high chance of committing the same crime. The deeper issue tackles at Korea's criminal justice system, which gives out way too generous sentences for serial rapists and rapists, period. 20 years for permanently damaging 15 children's lives really made me scoff.

But it's true, this is happening as we speak and it's important movies and dramas like this have been bringing light to the issue----recently No Way Out has done it as well. That's why I thought the movie deserved more storytelling that could possibly dive not just into our beloved main characters' lives, but also the journey to combating the system.

That's enough of my spiel though, and my real review is that this was a fast-paced, heavy-themed, but motivational movie. It makes room for you to ponder these issues like I did, appreciate the amazing action performances, and grieve after being emotionally wrecked. The lighthearted comedic moments give you a little bandaid in-between. I love Kim Woobin's simple-minded character so much, even his life motto is so simple, which is to "have fun" at everything he does. And it's crazy how much character development we got from him in less than 2 hours, because beyond this "fun" bloomed his purpose to continue serving, saving, and inspiring.

Hats off to this amazing cast for bringing this movie to life.

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