# Smugglers (2023 film)

Smugglers (Korean: 밀수; Hanja: 密輸; RR: Milsu) is a 2023 South Korean crime film directed by Ryoo Seung-wan, who co-wrote the film with Kim Jeong-yeon. The film stars Kim Hye-soo, Yum Jung-ah, Zo In-sung, Park Jeong-min, Kim Jong-soo, and Go Min-si. It was released theatrically on July 26, 2023.
The film is said to be based on the motif of haenyeo who participated in smuggling in the 1970s, overlapping with the fact that a female smuggling ring was active in Busan at the time.

## Plot

Haenyeo lost their jobs overnight when a chemical plant was built in the peaceful seaside town of Guncheon. Chun-jw is a fighter looking for a way to make a living. It is said that you can make a lot of money just by lifting an object thrown into the sea. She learns about the world of smuggling and makes an attractive proposal to the leader of the haenyeo, Jin-sook, who made a bold decision to make a living despite knowing that it was dangerous. As she meets Sergeant Kwon, the national smuggling king, she falls in love with smuggling. Then one day, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a fortune arrives.

## Cast

* Kim Hye-soo as Jo Chun-ja, a smuggler.
* Yum Jung-ah as Um Jin-sook, Chun-ja's best friend and the eldest sister of the smuggler who is the leader of haenyeo.
* Zo In-sung as Sergeant Kwon, the national smuggling king.
* Park Jeong-min as Jang Do-ri, the youngest child.
* Kim Jong-soo as Lee Jang-chun, a customs officer.
* Go Min-si as Go Ok-bun, the youngest hidden card who runs a coffee shop.
* Park Kyung-hye as Dok-soon, a haenyeo
* Kim Jae-hwa as haenyeo
* Baek Joo-hee as Somers
* Shim So-young as Diver
* Park Jun-myeon as Yang Geum-ne, a haenyeo
* Joo Bo-bi as Lee Eok-cheok, a haenyeo

## Production

Principal photography began on June 5, 2021.

## Release

The film was officially invited to the Special Presentations section at 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, which held from September 7 to 17 following the Locarno International Film Festival.

## Reception
### Box office

The film was released on July 26, 2023 in South Korea. The opening recorded 318,084 admissions and topped the South Korean box office for two weeks. The film surpassed 1 million admissions on fourth day of its released and surpassed 4 million on their 17th days of released. Smugglers became the second movie to reach break-even point in 2023 after The Roundup: No Way Out.

## Accolades

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination :
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee | Result |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2024 | Best Director | Ryoo Seung-wan | Nominated |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2024 | Best Actress | Yum Jung-ah | Nominated |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2024 | Best Supporting Actor | Kim Jong-soo | Won |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2024 | Best Supporting Actor | Park Jeong-min | Nominated |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2024 | Best New Actress | Go Min-si | Nominated |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2023 | Best Film | Smugglers | Won |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2023 | Best Director | Ryoo Seung-wan | Nominated |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2023 | Best Actress | Kim Hye-soo | Nominated |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2023 | Best Actress | Yum Jung-ah | Nominated |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2023 | Best Supporting Actor | Zo In-sung | Won |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2023 | Best Supporting Actor | Park Jeong-min | Nominated |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2023 | Best New Actress | Go Min-si | Won |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2023 | Best Screenplay | Ryoo Seung-wan | Nominated |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2023 | Best Music | Chang Kiha | Won |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2023 | Best Cinematography and lighting | Choi Young-hwan, Lee Jae-hyeok | Nominated |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2023 | Best Art Direction | Lee Hoo-kyoung | Nominated |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2023 | Best Film Editing | Lee Gang-hee | Nominated |
| Buil Film Awards | 2023 | Best Supporting Actor | Kim Jong-soo | Won |
| Buil Film Awards | 2023 | Best Supporting Actress | Go Min-si | Won |
| Buil Film Awards | 2023 | Best New Actress | Go Min-si | Nominated |
| Buil Film Awards | 2023 | Best Actress | Yum Jung-ah | Nominated |
| Buil Film Awards | 2023 | Best Film | Smugglers | Nominated |
| Buil Film Awards | 2023 | Best Director | Ryoo Seung-wan | Nominated |
| Buil Film Awards | 2023 | Best Music | Chang Kiha | Nominated |
| Buil Film Awards | 2023 | Best Cinematography | Choi Young-hwan | Nominated |
| Buil Film Awards | 2023 | Art/technical Award | Lee Hoo-kyoung | Nominated |
| Busan International Film Festival with Marie Claire Asia Star Awards | 2023 | Face of Asia Award | Go Min-si | Won |
| Chunsa Film Art Awards | 2023 | Best Actress | Kim Hye-soo | Won |
| Chunsa Film Art Awards | 2023 | Best Supporting Actor | Kim Jong-soo | Won |
| Chunsa Film Art Awards | 2023 | Best New Actress | Go Min-si | Won |
| Grand Bell Awards | 2023 | Best Film | Smugglers | Nominated |
| Grand Bell Awards | 2023 | Best Director | Ryoo Seung-wan | Won |
| Grand Bell Awards | 2023 | Best Actress | Yum Jung-ah | Nominated |
| Grand Bell Awards | 2023 | Best Supporting Actress | Go Min-si | Nominated |
| Grand Bell Awards | 2023 | Best Supporting Actor | Park Jeong-min | Nominated |
| Grand Bell Awards | 2023 | Best Supporting Actor | Kim Jong-soo | Nominated |
| Grand Bell Awards | 2023 | Best Music | Chang Kiha | Nominated |
| Grand Bell Awards | 2023 | Best Cinematography | Choi Young-hwan | Won |
| Grand Bell Awards | 2023 | Best Film Editing | Lee Gang-hee | Nominated |
| Grand Bell Awards | 2023 | Best Art Direction | Lee Hoo-kyung | Nominated |
| Grand Bell Awards | 2023 | Best Costume Design | Yoon Jung-hee, Kwon Soo-kyung | Nominated |
| Korean Association of Film Critics Awards | 2023 | Best Supporting Actor | Kim Jong-soo | Won |
| Korean Association of Film Critics Awards | 2023 | Technical Award: (Art) | Lee Hoo-kyoung | Won |
| Korean Association of Film Critics Awards | 2023 | Music Award | Chang Kiha | Won |