"Did You See It?" is a review column where we watch trending movies firsthand and share honest impressions and key takeaways. <Editor's Note>
[E-Daily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] He came back to life three days after his death, stronger than ever.

This is the most absurd yet powerful premise of the movie “The Resurrected Man: The Red” (“The Resurrected Man”). Seok-hwan (played by Koo Gyo-hwan), a job seeker whose only asset is baseless confidence, discovers one day that he has the ability to come back to life 72 hours after dying. The problem is that someone who has caught on to this ability begins to hunt him down. A bizarre chase ensues featuring a man who grows stronger with every death.
Based on a popular webtoon, “The Resurrected Man” unfolds a story centered on Seok-hwan, intertwined with Black (played by Shin Seung-ho), who pursues him; his only friend, Young-ha (played by Kang Ki-young); and his reliable younger sister, Ye-rin (played by Kim Si-ah). The film combines superpowers reminiscent of superhero movies, cartoonish characters, and fast-paced action.
True to director Baek Jong-young’s background as a commercial director, every scene possesses a distinct ability to captivate the viewer. For action sequences that would be difficult to achieve with live-action filming alone, the filmmakers utilized digital characters created from 3D scans of the actors to amplify the speed and power. Combined with VFX work designed to minimize the disconnect between the live-action footage and the digital characters, the film pushes the visuals forward with a fast-paced, bold energy reminiscent of a video game.
While it’s true that the backstories of the main characters feel somewhat contrived, we must not forget that the film’s title is “The Resurrected Man.” Rather than expecting realistic plausibility, it’s more natural to accept it within the conventions of the superhero genre.

Koo Kyo-hwan makes it all believable. Even the nonsensical dialogue and somewhat contrived plot points suddenly feel grounded in reality when he’s on screen. Before the film’s momentum can falter, Koo Kyo-hwan breathes new life into it.
What catches the eye more than the action is Koo Kyohwan’s face. As he repeatedly comes back to life, we see “every kind of Koo Kyohwan”—from a job-seeking graduate who may lack maturity but has self-respect, to a terrified ordinary person, to a resurrected individual consumed by rage.
Shin Seung-ho completes the film’s chilling, noir atmosphere with his deep, resonant voice and tone. Not only does he naturally deliver lines in foreign languages such as English and Japanese, but he also conveys his character’s intimidating presence through his physicality. Kang Ki-young serves as a supporting character who underpins the protagonist’s narrative while actively lifting the film’s mood. He is responsible for more than half of the chuckles that erupt in the theater.
Kim Si-ah, too, avoids being reduced to a mere female supporting role. She displays chemistry with Seok-hwan that makes them seem like real-life siblings, while also asserting her presence by performing her own action scenes in the latter half of the film. With each character’s distinct personality so clearly defined, the fun of discovering the dynamics between them—whether as siblings, rivals, or true friends—is particularly rewarding.

There is no grand message. Ultimately, what *The Resurrected Man* pushes to the very end is pure genre thrills. The film focuses on how to translate the ability to come back to life after death—and grow stronger with each resurrection—into action sequences. It prioritizes the visceral impact and sense of speed experienced in the theater over narrative depth or philosophical questions.
From the latter half of the film through to the ending, a sense of emptiness lingers. This is because the energy built up through the events and action earlier on is wrapped up somewhat hastily in the final act. The sense that a single film has come to a close feels somewhat lacking.
Die, come back to life, and grow stronger. *The Resurrected Man* drives its comic-book-style premise forward with Go Kyu-hwan’s performance and high-octane action. It’s a thrilling superhero film that faithfully fulfills its role as pure entertainment. Directed by Baek Jong-young. Runtime: 101 minutes. Opens September 30.