Four teenagers running away from home, are lost in the middle of nowhere.|Nov. 30, 2016|South Korea|91 Min.|Not Rated
Genre: Action;Crime
Description: The 2016 film *Derailed* faced significant challenges during its journey to the screen. Set in the world of runaway teenagers, the story was repeatedly rejected by investors, a fact that becomes understandable when considering the political climate of the time. Although the movie was made just five years prior to the time of writing, Korea in 2016 was still under the presidency of Park Geun-hye, who, like her father Park Chung-hee, imposed a level of censorship on the film industry that was not always visible to the public. Productions that portrayed contemporary Korea in a negative light were unlikely to receive approval, and coupled with a first-time director, *Derailed* seemed to be a project filled with red flags.
Ultimately, the production found unexpected support when popular K-pop group SHINee member Choi Min-ho and actor Ma Dong-seok expressed interest in playing the two lead roles (the Korean title directly translates to *2 Guys*). For Min-ho, this role represented a significant departure from his previous work. While it wasn’t his acting debut, it marked his first appearance on the big screen, as his prior roles in K-dramas capitalized on his idol image and fanbase. There was a risk that the script might be altered to suit his persona, but fortunately, that wasn’t the case.
Min-ho’s portrayal of a teenage runaway anchors the film’s brisk 90-minute runtime. Alongside his girlfriend, played by Jung Daeun (a former member of the now-defunct K-pop group 2Eyes, making her acting debut here), and another runaway couple, the quartet survives by selling stolen goods to keep a roof over their heads.
*Derailed* stands as a testament to the perseverance of its creators, navigating a challenging environment to bring this story to life.
Cast director: Lee Seong-tae
Cast actor: Ma Dong-seok, Choi Min-ho, Kim Jae-young, Jeong Da-eun, Lee You-jin, Baek Soo-min
Original name: 두 남자