Kim Ji-hoon plays Choi Pro in ‘Ballerina.’ Photo: Netflix, courtesy of HanCinema.
What intrigues me about Kim Ji-hoon is his image of Choi Pro, a hardened criminal, in Ballerina (2023); it sort of eclipsed those roles he’s often noted for—portrayals in romantic comedies. Thus, his performance in Ballerina, which [honestly speaking] first drew me to Kim Ji-hoon, will be central to this piece.
Kim allegedly started as a video jockey in the variety show Hotline (2001), with an acting debut hot on heels in the drama Loving You (2002). Ever since, he’s had parts in TV, film, and web-based projects—including Daughters-in-Law (2007), Love Marriage (Matchmaker’s Lover, 2008), Stars Falling from the Sky (Wish Upon a Star, 2010), Natalie (2010), Joseon X-Files (2010), Cute Guys (2012), Goddess of Marriage (2013), Jang Bo-ri Is Here! (2014), Flower of Evil (2020), Money Heist: Korea—Joint Economic Area (2022), Love to Hate You (2023)—and Ballerina of course.
Kim’s acting is what I’d call very “stylish,” regardless of the character he’s playing. He’s perpetually on point, especially sartorially adding to all aspects of who he becomes on screen. I mean, he can add so much flair to common items: a plain shirt, a basic pair of glasses, a simple blazer, or a hanbok, for that matter. He may dress down yet look like a million bucks (not forgetting how he rocks a long hairstyle). In effect, Kim Ji-hoon blends manly grace with a natural style, a rationale for the impact of his visual narratives.
In Ballerina, he gives Choi Pro a distinct personality that transcends the usual villain archetypes. His long hair is an effective visual cue, accentuating his physical presence and creating a dynamic between the sly and the crook that he is. Delving into the complex psyche of Choi Pro, a vicious sex trafficker, Ballerina explores the depths of human depravity, crime, and revenge.
Once a VIP bodyguard, Jang Ok-ju (Jeon Jong-seo) is the hero of this chaotic action thriller. She hunts Choi for taking advantage of her best friend, resulting in her death. In a fit of rage, Ok-ju wages war, becomes an insurgent and ruins every roadblock until eventually killing Choi.
Ballerina exemplifies the multifaceted narrative style of Korean cinema. Choi’s character acts as a powerful representation of society’s dark side, and as the story unfolds, you’re sucked into a realm where virtue and vice tend to be vague. Kim’s depiction of Choi evidences the fine quality of his work as he transitions smoothly between scenes of premeditated brutality and moments of twisted humanity, inevitably enhancing the character’s attractiveness.
Choi’s character becomes more complex through the film’s narrative style, which I think draws some inspiration from director Park Chan-wook’s “The Vengeance Trilogy,” including Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002), Oldboy (2003), and Lady Vengeance (2005). These films often look at the intricacies of human behavior, fate, and social norms. Kim Ji-hoon as Choi Pro in Ballerina is “the adversary,” and a nasty one at that; nevertheless, what he does highlights the skills of an excellent actor, his language of proficiency, and the visual delight he can be.
