Kingmaker () is a 2022 South Korean historical political drama film, written and directed by Byun Sung-hyun. Set against the backdrop of the 1970 presidential primary of the New Democratic Party, the film is based on real events involving Kim Dae-jung and his key strategist, .
Kingmaker was scheduled to be theatrically released on December 29, 2021, but due to the COVID-19 resurgence, it was released on January 26, 2022 to coincide with the Korean New Year holidays. It was also officially invited in the competition section at the 24th Udine Far East Film Festival held from April 22 to 30, 2022.
A seasoned politician, Kim Woon-beom, who has faced four election defeats, takes on a new challenge to change the world. One day, Seo Chang-dae, a brilliant election strategist, approaches him, eager to join forces. Despite being at a disadvantage, Seo Chang-dae devises an unconventional and groundbreaking campaign strategy. As a result, Kim Woon-beom achieves a series of victories, eventually rising to become his party's presidential candidate.
With the presidential election approaching, they go all-in to secure the ultimate win. However, their journey takes a dramatic turn when an explosion occurs at Kim Woon-beom's residence. As suspicion falls on Seo Chang-dae, their once-unshakable partnership is thrown into uncertainty, leading to a high-stakes political showdown.
Sul Kyung-gu was cast in the film in July 2018 as politician and Lee Sun-kyun as political strategist. Director Byun Sung-Hyun and Sol Kyung-gu are working together after 2017 crime thriller film The Merciless. On March 29, 2019, on completion of cast line-up the script reading site was revealed by releasing photos.
Director Byun Sung-Hyun worked with his old team for the film. Art director Han Ah-reum, Kim Hong-jip and Lee Jin-hee (music) and Lee Gil-gyu, director of Lighting have worked with him on The Merciless. The film was produced with an estimated cost of .
Principal photography began on March 25, 2019. and It ended in July 30, 2019.
The film was scheduled for release on December 29, 2021 but due to fresh wave of COVID-19 pandemic it has been postponed to January 2022 to coincide with Korean New Year holiday. It was released on January 26, 2022.
The film was officially invited in competition section of the 24th Udine Far East Film Festival held from April 22 to 30, 2022.
The film was made available for streaming on IPTV (Olleh TV, SK Btv, TV, LG U+TV), Home Choice, TVING, Naver TV, WAVVE, Google Play, KT skylife, Cinefox and KakaoPage from February 24, 2022.
The film was released on 1184 screens on January 26, 2022. As per Korean Film Council (Kofic) integrated computer network, the film opened at 2nd place with 58,974 admissions at the Korean box office. It maintained its no 2 position at the Korean box office for consecutive 14 days after its release.
, it is at 12th place among all the Korean films released in the year 2022, with gross of US$6.00 million and 775,583 admissions.
Song Kyung-won of Cine21 wrote that the film differed from other political dramas and films as it focused on the relationships between the main characters rather than politics or the actual plot, given the fact that the storyline itself was a thinly veiled reference to Kim Dae-jung's presidential election campaign. Song appreciated the direction of Byun Seong-hyeon's writing, "From the stylish scenes, sensuous shooting, and the strong chemistry between the characters, the director's talents are still alive." Concluding the review, Song observed that Seo's use of negative campaigning to help Kim win raised a fundamental question about whether the end justifies the means.