Firebird 1997 Korean Movie Work [portable] Jun 2026

The 1997 South Korean film (Korean: 불새, Bulsae ) is a thriller directed by Kim Young-bin , based on a popular novel by Choi In-ho . The movie is notable for its high-profile cast and its status as a significant financial failure that marked a turning point in the Korean film industry. Film Overview Director: Kim Young-bin Writer: Choi In-ho Release Date: February 1, 1997 Runtime: 103 minutes Original Title: Bulsae (translated as Phoenix or Firebird) Synopsis & Themes

The film’s failure effectively halted director Kim Young-bin's career for a decade. He did not direct another feature until Race in 2007.

The narrative takes a sharp turn into territory when In-ho falls for a mysterious lounge singer (Choi Jin-sil) who holds the key to the syndicate’s money laundering operation. What follows is a web of betrayal, double-crosses, and a rain-soaked finale that rivals the best of Hong Kong’s Heroic Bloodshed genre.

The plot revolves around a man (Young-bin) who attempts to help his friend cover up a crime—specifically disposing of the body of an ex-girlfriend—which spirals into further conflict.