The harsh Korean sun beats down on the DMZ, a stark contrast to the chilling tension in the air. Sergeant Lim Kyu-nam, a decorated soldier, stares across the border, his face betraying a turmoil masked by years of stoic service. But tonight, everything changes. A sudden, desperate dash across the line shatters the silence, bullets tearing up the earth around him. He risks everything, defying Major Cha’s orders, a respected, decorated, and intimidating leader and leaving behind the life he knew, pursued relentlessly by Lieutenant Hong and Captain Ryu, determined to bring him back, dead or alive. For Lim Kyu-nam, it’s not just about escaping North Korea; it’s about escaping a predetermined fate, a life dictated by others, and forging his own destiny in a land that might offer freedom, or just another kind of prison. His only ally, a nomad leader, Esom is willing to help but to what cost? His escape is not just a betrayal, but a desperate plea for something more.
Escape Movie Overview
Title | Escape |
---|---|
Release Status | Released |
Release Date | 2024-07-03 |
Runtime | 1 hours and 36 minutes |
Genre | Action, Drama, Thriller |
Original Language | Ko |
Spoken Language | Korean |
Country | South Korea |
Production Co. | The LAMP, Plus M Entertainment |
Escape Movie Cast
Name | Character |
---|---|
Lee Je-hoon | Lim Kyu-nam |
Koo Kyo-hwan | Lee Hyun-sang |
Hong Xa-bin | Kim Dong-hyuk |
Seo Hyun-woo | Major Cha |
Lee Sung-wook | Lieutenant Hong |
Yoo Tae-joo | Captain Ryu |
Jung Jun-won | Second Lieutenant Park |
Jang Young-nam | Dong-hyuk’s Mother |
Song Kang | Min Sun-woo |
Esom | Nomad Leader |
Lee Ho-jung | Girl with Rifle |
Shin Hyun-ji | Sang-gu’s Sister |
Lee Ho-cheol | Drunken General |
Kim Sang-heun | Officer Jung |
Park Yoon-hee | Director of the General Political Department |
Woo Jeong-won | Director’s Wife |
Cha Soon-bae | Division Commander |
Song Yo-sep | Battalion Commander |
Jin Yong-uk | Company Commander |
Jang Yo-hoon | Squad 1 |
O Seung-baek | Squad 2 |
Jung Ha-neul | Rifle |
Lee Tae-young | On-call |
Choi Min-woo | Division Officer |
Bae Cheol-soo | Radio DJ |
Park Ga-young | Ballroom Woman |
Kim Da-Sol | Company Commander |
Kim Yoon-bae | Wandering Man |
Lee Seung-yong | Security Guard |
Kim Han-sang | Ballroom Officer |
Lee Moo-nyoung | Ballroom Officer |
Ko Seo-jeong | Kyu-nam’s mother |
Kim Dong-hun | Squad member |
Escape Movie Storyline
In the tense landscape of North Korea, Sergeant Lim Kyu-nam, portrayed by Lee Je-hoon, is celebrated as a war hero after a decade of unwavering military service. However, beneath the surface of patriotic duty, Kyu-nam harbors a growing disillusionment, a yearning for personal freedom that clashes violently with the rigid confines of his life. His resolve hardens after a chance encounter with Lee Hyun-sang (Koo Kyo-hwan), a high-ranking officer whose cynical perspective on the regime fuels Kyu-nam’s rebellious thoughts. Major Cha (Seo Hyun-woo), a stern and unforgiving figure within the military hierarchy, becomes increasingly suspicious of Kyu-nam’s detached demeanor and perceived lack of enthusiasm for state ideology. Driven by a burning desire to determine his own destiny, Kyu-nam makes the audacious decision to defect to South Korea, a move fraught with peril. The escape becomes a relentless chase across treacherous terrain, with Major Cha and Lieutenant Hong (Lee Sung-wook) relentlessly pursuing him, their loyalty to the North Korean regime unwavering. As Kyu-nam navigates minefields and evade patrols, he grapples with the moral implications of his actions, questioning whether the hope of a better life is worth the lives he might endanger. In a heart-pounding climax, Kyu-nam confronts his pursuers at the heavily fortified border, making a desperate final bid for freedom where the line between survival and sacrifice blurs, leaving the audience to ponder the true cost of escape.
Escape Movie Details
Set against the tense backdrop of the Korean Demilitarized Zone, “Escape” unfolds as a gripping action thriller centered on the desperate gamble for freedom. After a decade of exemplary service in the North Korean army, decorated Sergeant Lim Kyu-nam, portrayed by Lee Je-hoon, makes the shocking decision to defect to South Korea, a move that instantly transforms him from national hero to a hunted traitor. His daring escape sets off a relentless pursuit led by Lee Hyun-sang, played by Koo Kyo-hwan, a former comrade turned adversary, who is determined to stop Kyu-nam at any cost. As Kyu-nam navigates the treacherous terrain, evading capture and battling inner demons, he encounters Kim Dong-hyuk, a young soldier played by Hong Xa-bin, whose own aspirations for a different life become intertwined with Kyu-nam’s perilous journey. Seo Hyun-woo as Major Cha adds another layer of complexity, representing the rigid authority of the North Korean regime and its unwavering commitment to crushing dissent. The film explores themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the universal desire for self-determination, painting a vivid picture of the human cost of ideological division as Kyu-nam risks everything for a chance at a life where he can finally choose his own destiny, haunted by the potential consequences and the ever-present threat of capture.
Escape Movie Poster Images




Movie Trailers
Trailer [Subtitled]
Escape Movie FAQs
What is the movie “Escape” about?
“Escape” tells the story of a North Korean sergeant who defects to South Korea after completing his military service, seeking to determine his own destiny.
What genres does “Escape” fall into?
The movie is classified as Action, Drama, and Thriller.
Who are the main actors in “Escape”?
The main actors include Lee Je-hoon, Koo Kyo-hwan, and Hong Xa-bin.
When was “Escape” released?
The movie was released on July 3, 2024.
Which country produced “Escape”?
“Escape” was produced in South Korea.
What is the original language of “Escape”?
The original language of the movie is Korean.
What are some of the production companies involved in “Escape”?
The production companies include The LAMP and Plus M Entertainment.
What is the runtime of “Escape”?
The movie has a runtime of 96 minutes.
What is the tagline for “Escape”?
The tagline is Fear a meaningless life, not death itself.
Who directed “Escape”?
Lee Jong-pil directed the movie “Escape”.