Ballerina (2023) Action Korean Drama Film

“Ballerina” is a 2023 Action Korean drama film, streaming on Netflix. Pro Choi likes to make sordid porn films where he is the star! He then sells the videos on the black market and makes a lot of money. Jang Ok-Ju’s best friend dies as a result of his brutal abuse.  The best friend leaves a note asking her to get revenge. Her username is “Ballerina”.

Ballerina Deserves Justice

Jang Ok-Ju is a girl who probably would have been a loner and friendless for her entire life if she had not met and made friends with Choi Min-Hee. This one friend was closer to her than a blood sister would have been if she had a sister. Compared to Jang Ok-Ju, her personality was completely opposite.  This dearest friend was a soft, sensitive, delicate, and lovely ballerina girl. But Choi Min-Hee fell victim to a man who liked to perform kinky and brutal sex acts, film the intercourse, and then sell his videos as porn films. Because she was not tough and hardened like Jang Ok-Ju, she died from the physical and mental abuse she had suffered.

Before her best friend died she wrote a letter to Jang Ok-Ju explaining what had happened and the name of the man who was guilty. His name was Pro Choi. In the letter, she asked Jang Ok-Ju to take revenge for her unjust and cruel death; and destroy the porn video. Choi Min-Hee used the nickname “Ballerina”.

Ballerina Gets Justice

Jang Ok-Ju tracked down Pro Choi and persuaded him to take her to “his place”. Pro Choi was more than willing. He considered this young girl would just be another conquest. She would be added to his list of victims, and be turned into a sex slave. That’s what happened to most of the girls. Pro Choi was part of an organized ring of criminals who specialized in pornography, prostitution, and sex trafficking.

But “the date” did not go as planned. Pro Choi did not expect to be brutally beaten by a young lady who was supposed to be his victim. He got lucky. He lived! Jang Ok-Ju did not plan to beat him up. She actually intended to kill him, but she did not succeed. At least, she did retrieve the porn video of Ballerina and accomplished part of her mission.

Ah well! You know what they say? “If at first you don’t succeed, try again!” AND??? And … “It ain’t over until it’s over!” Jang Ok-Ju was going to get revenge for her best friend. If she had to take down the whole criminal gang to get at Pro Choi, then … so be it!

Main Characters:

• Jang Ok-Ju played by Jun Jong-Seo
• Pro Choi played by Kim Ji-Hoon (“Love to Hate You”)

Where to Watch

Viewership and Rating:

• IMDb Rating: 6.2 out of 10 stars
• My Drama List: 7.8 out of 10 stars

Per the Times of India: “This thrilling masterpiece reunites Jeon Jong-seo and Kim Ji-hoon, the stars of the Korean adaptation of the popular crime drama ‘Money Heist’, for a film packed with of action, drama, and vengeance.” (REFERENCE)

Per South China Morning Post: “While the script offers precious little invention beneath its polished surface, Jeon’s cold-as-ice angel of vengeance is the film’s saving grace.” (REFERENCE)

Whatever! I thought the movie sucked! My personal rating for Ballerina is 5 out of 10 stars. It was only half good because of the young lady’s martial arts fighting skills. But the storyline had no substance whatsoever and it was boringly predictable.

When you watch a movie on Netflix, the streaming platform supplies a list of other Korean dramas for you to watch next, if you liked “Ballerina” This film’s saving grace was that Netflix suggested several K-dramas on its “More Like This” list which are more enjoyable and entertaining. I picked two from this list that already have articles published here on PopGeeks.

(1) Money Heist: Korea: Joint Economic Area (2022) ~ This is a Korean remake of the American Series and in my opinion, the K-drama version is better!

(2) Unlocked: 2023 Korean Film ~ A serial killer finds a woman’s smartphone, installs tracking devices on it, returns it to her, and then turns her life into a hellish nightmare.

Links of Interest:

• ‘Ballerina’ Netflix Review: Stream It Or Skip It? | Decider
• ‘Ballerina’ review: stylish kills and simple thrills | NME

TRAILERS/TEASERS:

Asia, Netflix. “Ballerina | Official Trailer | Netflix.” YouTube, 20 Sept. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTt9Dn_W1aE.