Secretly, Greatly is a heart-wrenching spy saga that portrays the life of Won Ryu Hwan, a North Korean spy sent to South Korea on a mission. The 2013 movie, which is an adaptation of the popular webtoon series Covertness by Hun, follows Hwan as he goes undercover, posing as a simple-minded young man named Bang Dong Gu to complete his mission.
Synopsis
In the movie, Won Ryu Hwan is North Korea’s best and most highly trained agent. He is sent to South Korea on a mission and is instructed to disguise himself as Bang Dong Gu, a young man living in a low-income area called Bang Dong Gu. With two years gone by, Dong Gu hasn’t received any new assignments and suspects that he has been abandoned by his country. Eventually, he discovers that his final mission was to commit suicide.
In his mission, Dong Gu is tasked with pretending to be a simple-minded man and working as a grocer for an elderly woman named Jeon Soonim. Despite the heavy burden of his mission, Dong Gu remains committed to his cause and accepts the mundane tasks assigned to him daily.
One of the few bright spots in Dong Gu’s life is Yoon Yoo Ran, a friendly 22-year-old accountant who works for a small company. However, Yoo Joon, Yoo Ran’s 18-year-old brother, always interrupts Dong Gu whenever he shows admiration for Yoo Ran.
Dong Gu’s peaceful existence is shattered when he meets Ran, a local customer who frequently visits the store. Later, he meets North Korean agent Hae Rang, who is on a mission in South Korea.
1. Won Ryu Hwan, North Korea’s Top Agent
2. Dong Gu’s Two Years of Mono Crop Life
3. A Spy with a Secret Identity
4. Yoon Yoo Ran, the Bright Spot in Dong Gu’s Life
5. Crossed Paths with Another Secret Agent
Won Ryu Hwan, North Korea’s Top Agent
Won Ryu Hwan is put through rigorous training to become North Korea’s best spy. His exceptional abilities enable him to outwit his enemies on multiple occasions. Despite his success, Ryu Hwan’s final mission leads him to disillusionment as he discovers that his country wants him to kill himself.
Dong Gu’s Two Years of Mono Crop Life
Bang Dong Gu’s simple lifestyle includes taking care of Jeon Soonim’s store located in a low-income area. With no new assignments, he goes about living his monotonous life while keeping a low profile.
A Spy with a Secret Identity
As part of his mission, Dong Gu goes undercover as a simple-minded young man. However, his cover is blown when he meets Hae Rang, another North Korean spy sent to South Korea to carry out his mission.
Yoon Yoo Ran, the Bright Spot in Dong Gu’s Life
In the drab existence of his cover life, Dong Gu finds comfort in his friendship with the kind-hearted Yoo Ran. However, he is constantly interrupted by Yoo Joon, Yoo Ran’s adolescent brother, whenever he shows any signs of admiration towards her.
Crossed Paths with Another Secret Agent
Dong Gu meets Hae Rang, a North Korean spy, on his mission to South Korea. Hae Rang is on a mission to carry out his country’s mission, which threatens the stability of the mission Ryu Hwan is on. The mission brings Dong Gu’s cover story unraveling, leading to a series of heart-wrenching events.
Conclusion
The movie, Secretly, Greatly, gets its audience emotionally invested in Ryu Hwan’s life. It portrays the real-life struggles of many North Korean spies who are trained to put their country’s needs before all else. The intricate plot and emotional performances from the cast leave the audience with an experience of empathy and understanding about the struggles of living with a secret identity.
