the classified file p2

The Classified File ~ Busan 1978, a Child Was Kidnapped

“The Classified File” is a 2015 Korean film, categorized as Police procedural, Crime, Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense; based on a true story and streaming on Viki and Tubi TV.

SUMMARY: This film is based on a true event that happened in Busan in 1978. A child was kidnapped, and the ransom demanded was $50,000.

♦ Sweet Jelly Sticks and a Whistle

In “The Classified File”, a child was kidnapped, and for 33 days her parents did not know if their daughter was dead or alive. The kidnapper took 15 days before even contacting them. The mother especially experienced AGONY + ANGUISH. She tried methods that her husband and the police would never even consider. She consulted Kim Joong-San, a spiritualist (fortune-teller), who told her that her daughter was still alive and the exact date the kidnapper would contact her. He also told her that a specific detective, Kong Gil-Yong, had to be the one who worked on the investigation because only he would be able to bring her child home alive.

Was the spiritualist a con man, or did he really believe what he told the mother? It seems he believed what he said because he had visions or dreams, and he knew how to read certain signs (???). Because Kim Joong-San was able to provide details, of course, the police immediately suspected him. They tortured him to get the truth. But he only told them what he knew. You’re either a believer or you’re not. The mother was a believer and told the detective, “In this world, we need more than power and money.”  She begged him to stay on the case to the very end.

Detective Kong Gil-Yong was not a believer, yet he had Kim Joong-San accompany him to Seoul to work with the investigation team. It was a secret investigation, comprised of law enforcement officers from both Busan and Seoul. The team even included Seo Jung-Hak, the man who served as an expert advisor for the famous Kdrama TV series, “Chief Inspector”. Kong Gil-Yong also had a reputation for being a stellar officer. Seo Jung-Hak welcomed him to Seoul and said he was honored to be able to work with him.

Main Characters:

Where to Watch

(Also watch free on Tubi TV)

Viewership and Rating:

My personal rating is the same as the Viki viewers.

“The Classified File” is based on a true story about a child who had been kidnapped and a such it was hard not to watch. The thing that struck me was how easy it was to entice the young girl to get into the car.

  • NOTE: “Movie is based on a true story. An elementary school-aged daughter from a wealthy family in Busan, South Korea, was kidnapped two separate times for ransom. The first kidnapping occurred September 15, 1978 and the second kidnapping occurred April 14, 1979.” (Source: Asianwiki)

LINKS OF INTEREST:

VIFF 2015 Review: The Classified File (극비수사) | Jon The Blogcentric

[Herald Review] Two unsung heroes remembered in ‘Classified File’ | The Korea Herald

The Classified File (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): A police investigation assisted by fortunetelling | Seongyong’s Private Place

The Classified File (Geukbisusa) | MIB’s Instant Headache

Critic Reviews for The Classified File | Moviebuff.com

TRAILER/TEASER:

KoreanFilmBiz KoBiz. (2015). The Classified File (2015) [Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPDo_aU_3lo.

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Avatar of nooryasmeen022
nooryasmeen022

New Member

2 messages 0 likes

I watched it last week on Tubi. It was very quiet in tone, but the tension never left. I could feel the mother’s stress deeply. You really get to see how lonely her fight was. I’m not sure what to think about the fortune teller. Maybe he had a gift, or maybe people just see what they want to see. But the detective’s attitude was refreshing. He didn’t mock or judge. He just focused on solving the case. That’s what makes this film feel respectful.

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Avatar of Carrotlina
Carrotlina

Member

416 messages 4 likes

I don’t normally believe in fortune tellers, but this film gave a more serious look at that kind of person. The detective could have easily refused to work with him, but he listened anyway. That kind of open-mindedness is rare in films like this. Usually, the skeptic is very loud and insulting. But this movie kept both sides balanced. I also liked how it gave time to the procedural parts of the investigation. Some viewers may find the pacing slow, but I think it matched the real timeline of the case. It made the outcome more believable.

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Avatar of nurning annintant
nurning annintant

Replace the S with N

37 messages 1 like

This movie left me frustrated. Not because it was bad—it’s quite good—but because of how helpless everyone was. A child went missing, and people were guessing, praying, using visions. That’s not comforting. It made me angry how long it took the kidnapper to even reach out. And the fact that the spiritualist was tortured shows how the system had no idea how to handle something like this. The film did a good job showing how fear spreads—not just in the family, but in the police force too.

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Avatar of Lycopene
Lycopene

New Member

480 messages 17 likes

I found the story very emotional, especially from the mother’s perspective. It’s easy to say she should have waited for the police, but I don’t think anyone can understand what it feels like unless they’ve lived through it. Turning to a fortune teller wasn’t crazy. It was human. Sometimes when you're desperate, you try anything. The movie respected her choice. It didn’t judge her, and I think that’s why it worked for me. The detective and the spiritualist didn’t become friends, but they became a team. That made it interesting.

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Avatar of Jackfruit
Jackfruit

New Member

6 messages 0 likes

I give this film an 8 out of 10. It’s not perfect—the middle part drags a little—but the ending is worth it. I appreciate the way it builds slow trust between characters who would never meet under normal circumstances. The fact that it’s based on a real event gives it more weight. I didn’t know the girl was kidnapped twice until I read the article. That’s terrifying. I hope they never make a sequel or remake. The story stands on its own.

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Avatar of Fanny
Fanny

Active Member

492 messages 17 likes

To be honest, I expected a more dramatic climax. But the subtle ending made sense. This isn’t about big action. It’s about choices, beliefs, and small acts of courage. The movie is quiet but heavy. The performances were mature and respectful. I think people who like fast thrillers may not enjoy it, but if you want something that shows how real people deal with panic and uncertainty, this is a good one.

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Avatar of Galinda
Galinda

Member

468 messages 7 likes

What stuck with me is the fortune teller’s face. He didn’t seem like he was lying. He looked tired, like someone who carries heavy things no one else can see. That made him more believable. I don’t know if he had powers or just good instincts, but he cared about the child. The actor did a great job showing that. The movie didn’t need to prove whether the supernatural was real or not. It just showed what happened, and that’s enough.

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