Korean DVD review: Countdown

Heo Jong-ho makes his directorial debut with a dramatic action flick that pits one man against a supreme deadline, as he must find a donor for his failing liver. Tae Gun-ho (Jeong Jae-yeong) searches through his past to find a contributor. Along the way he must overcome his demons. Tae’s son died years prior and donated his organs to four people. He seeks out those recipients to ask if they will help him with his cause. He’s unsuccessful, as they are spread across the globe or are otherwise unable to donate. 

He has 10 days to find a donor or he’s a dead man. 

Busan plays host to this gritty drama.

Cha Ha-yeon (Jeon Do-yeon) is a match, but she is imprisoned for fraud. The former Miss Spring Beauty seduced the rich for their fortunes. She had men lining up to give her their money before she would vanish without a trace.  She agrees to the transplant on one condition — Gun-ho must track down the person who ratted her out, causing her incarceration. He offers to hand over his life savings instead, but she insists that it is her way or the deal is off. Cho Myung-seok (Lee Kyeong-yeong) is the perp he has to find, but there is no record of his existence.  Gun-ho uses all the people and means at his disposal in his search for Myung-seok.

After Ha-yeon is released from prison, she is met by Swai (Oh Man-seok), a gangster she swindled. The chase is on. It seems like everyone is out for retribution. 

A multitude of chase scenes keep viewers attentive in this great action flick. 

A steep incline to the final climax sets you up for a dandy of a finish, where multiple lives are at stake and the outcome could go any way. 

It’s not another shoot-em-up ending, which is nice. It’s good to see people settle things with fists instead of automatic weapons for a change.