Netflix's 'Good News' Premieres at BIFF, Blending Real-Life Hijacking with Black Comedy

The Netflix original film 'Good News' is generating buzz following its official invitation to the competition section of the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).

Based on the true story of the 1970 Yododo incident, 'Good News' is a well-made B-movie black comedy that depicts a peculiar operation to land a hijacked plane in an emergency situation.

The movie begins with the tense situation of a passenger plane being hijacked by the Japanese Red Army Faction and en route to Pyongyang. As the plane enters South Korean airspace and attempts to land at Gimpo Airport, intelligence chief Park Sang-hyun (Ryu Seung-beom) tasks operative 'A' (Sol Kyung-gu) with a special operation.

Amidst this crisis, Air Force Lieutenant Seo Go-myeong (Hong Kyung) attempts to resolve the situation with the outlandish idea of tricking the hijackers into believing they have landed in Pyongyang. The world watches to see if his ingenuity can safely rescue the passengers and the aircraft.

Director Byun Sung-hyun's signature experimental directing style is 'Good News's' greatest strength. Witty dialogue and creative scenarios between characters create an immersive experience akin to watching a play or animation, while fourth-wall-breaking directorial choices offer novel entertainment for the audience.

The film also stands out for its satirical portrayal of political maneuvering during a crisis, spun into a black comedy. It uses humor to twist a serious subject matter, and the rapid pacing combined with the actors' witty comedic performances enhances the overall enjoyment.

However, some viewers might find the comedic elements excessive, leading to a diluted tone, and the non-linear narrative structure could pose a challenge to understanding the world-building.

Despite these points, the actors' outstanding performances compensate for any shortcomings. Sol Kyung-gu naturally leads the narrative, while Ryu Seung-beom commands attention with his powerful character portrayal. Hong Kyung skillfully depicts complex emotions and delivers a stable performance in Korean, English, and Japanese, drawing significant attention. Surprise appearances by Jeon Do-yeon and Yoon Kyung-ho also add to the film's appeal.

Hong Kyung showcases a completely different charm in 'Good News' compared to his previous roles in the Wavve dramas 'Weak Hero Class 1' and 'Gyeongseong Creature,' where he displayed intense emotional performances. His proficiency in three languages further enhances character immersion. This film once again proves the breadth of his acting spectrum.