Ransomed (Bi-gong-sik-jak-jeon, 2023, Sth Korea)

A film by Kim Seong-Hun

In 1987, Min-jun was unable to escape the MENA Dept. at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for five years. One day, he receives a coded message from a missing diplomat in Lebanon, who was kidnapped 20 months ago. Filled with hopeful aspirations of a promotion to the United States if successful, he volunteers for an unofficial mission to rescue his colleague and heads to Lebanon.

Upon arrival at the airport, Min-jun narrowly avoids a hail of bullets from airport security guards who are after his life. By chance, he ends up getting into a car of a Korean taxi driver, Pan-su. With local gangsters hot on their heels attempting to steal the ransom money, Min-jun has no choice but to rely on expat Pan-su, the only fellow Korean around. However, can this shady character, who will do anything for money, truly help in rescuing his colleage.