Director Byun Sung-hyun's latest Netflix film "Good News" has earned widespread critical acclaim for its bold satirical take on the infamous 1970 Yodogo hijacking incident. The movie, which was released on Friday, presents an audacious premise: what if Pyongyang Airport were actually Seoul's Gimpo International Airport in disguise, complete with North Korean flags, uniformed soldiers, and flower-bearing greeters welcoming the hijackers?
The film follows an elaborate deception plan targeting nine members of Japan's far-left Red Army Faction who hijacked a Japan Air Lines flight from Tokyo with the intention of reaching Pyongyang. Instead, authorities devise a scheme to trick them into landing at Gimpo International Airport. As the aircraft descends under the illusion of arriving in North Korea's capital, the hijackers gradually begin to sense that something is amiss.
Byun Sung-hyun, known for his previous works "The Merciless" (2017), "Kingmaker" (2022), and "Kill Boksoon" (2023), has transformed this real-life incident into a satirical thriller that expertly blends political tension with dark humor. "The idea started from wanting to create a story that begins with a quote and ends by questioning its truth – a critique of authority and bureaucracy," Byun explained during a Tuesday interview. "When I came across the Yodogo incident, it felt like a perfect fit for that theme."
The movie opens with a thought-provoking line attributed to fictional philosopher Truman Shady: "Truth sometimes lies on the dark side of the moon, but that doesn't make the bright side false." This quote is delivered by Nobody, a mysterious fixer portrayed by Sul Kyung-gu, setting the tone for the film's exploration of truth and deception. The paradoxical title "Good News" itself reflects the movie's central theme of blurred lines between reality and fabrication.
At the heart of the story is the contrast between the idealistic hijackers pursuing their vision of a communist utopia and Air Force Lieutenant Seo Go-myeong, played by Hong Kyung, who is tasked with orchestrating their deception. Byun approached the material as "a dark comedy about ideology and cynicism in a post-ideological era." He added, "I wanted to capture the boredom and frustration I feel listening to today's news – the absurdity of political division – through satire."
The film showcases Byun's signature style, infusing the narrative with his distinctive flair for rhythm and energy. "Good News" successfully combines tension, humor, and chaos into a stylish ensemble piece that maintains viewer engagement throughout its 138-minute runtime without any sense of drag. The unpredictable plot, eccentric characters, and sharp editing have led audiences to praise it as "the best Korean Netflix film ever made" and Byun's most entertaining work to date.
The positive reception has even surprised the director himself. "I've been getting messages from directors I barely know, saying they really enjoyed it," Byun revealed. "Even fellow filmmakers have been reaching out to congratulate him," demonstrating the film's impact within the industry. The movie's success stems partly from its exceptional ensemble cast, with each actor bringing distinct charm to their roles.
Hong Kyung delivers a compelling performance as Go-myeong, the ambitious yet conflicted young officer caught between duty and conscience. Sul Kyung-gu is particularly mesmerizing as the enigmatic fixer Nobody, while Ryu Seung-beom portrays a sly, power-hungry intelligence chief with perfectly timed deadpan humor. The authenticity of the hijacker roles is enhanced by Japanese actors Show Kasamatsu and Nairu Yamamoto, who bring genuine cultural perspective to their characters.
Byun acknowledged the significant effort he invested in this project, stating, "It's the hardest I've ever worked on a film. Comedy scared me, so I pushed myself even more." His goal was ambitious yet precise: "I wanted viewers to chuckle throughout, then leave wondering, 'Was it really okay to laugh at that?'" This approach reflects the film's sophisticated handling of serious subject matter through satirical lens.
The real Yodogo hijacking incident that inspired the film occurred on March 31, 1970, when Japan Airlines Flight 351 was commandeered shortly after takeoff from Tokyo's Haneda Airport. The aircraft, a Boeing 727 nicknamed "Yodo" (meaning "still water") and bound for Fukuoka, was hijacked by nine young members of the radical Japanese Red Army Faction. Armed with pistols and katana swords, these hijackers – ranging in age from 17 to 27 – attempted to divert the plane to North Korea in what became one of the most bizarre and politically charged episodes of the Cold War, emerging from the turbulent atmosphere of Japan's 1960s student protest movements.
