What would you do if the person who scammed you eventually contacts you and asks for help? Such is the story of the Korean movie, “Citizen of a Kind”, now showing in Philippine cinemas.
Duk-hee, a bubbly commoner, faces a sudden setback when a fire engulfs her laundry business. In her quest to find a solution through loans, she receives a proposal from a bank clerk, offering a seemingly perfect loan package. But first, she is required to pay various fees. When she realizes that the whole process is an elaborate voice phishing scam, it’s already too late. Duk-hee has made several fee payments, leaving her penniless and homeless overnight. She reports it to the police, but they are unable to address her case.
Days pass and Duk-hee receives another call from Jae-min, the scammer. He has the audacity to ask for her help – to retrieve information about voice phishing, and in exchange, he will reveal everything he knows. With nothing left to lose, Duk-hee decides to fly all the way to China, where the phishing organization is located. Accompanied by some friends, she is determined to rescue the young man and reclaim what she lost.
Based on a real-life incident, “Citizen of a Kind” addresses the rampant voice phishing crime that is happening not just in Korea, but aslo in the Philippines, so a lot of Pinoy audience can surely relate to Duk-hee’s character, played by Ra Mi-ran (Miss and Mrs. Cops, Come Back Home, The Last Princess). The award-winning actress says that she hopes “that victims wouldn’t self-blame for falling prey to voice phishing.”
Jae-min, played by Gong Myoung (Hansan: Rising Dragon, Killing Romance), is a college student who applies for a high-paying job for just a short period, but finds himself kidnapped by a voice phishing organization upon arriving in China. Every day, he dreams of escape. Despite what he’s done to Duk-hee, he feels that she’s the person that could save him. Gong Myoung expresses his appreciation for getting the role, “The script itself felt so fresh and enjoyable, unlike typical crime dramas. I wanted to participate in the film due to its refreshing charm.”
Director PARK Young-ju and the production team also focused on the psychological pain that victims of actual voice phishing incidents secretly endure. Director PARK stated, “Most victims had a lot of guilt, thinking, ‘Did I fall for the scam because I’m foolish?’ So, I tried to depict Duk-hee not as an extraordinary hero but as a citizen hero that people can empathize with.”
Actress Ahn Eun-jin (The Good Bad Mother), who has become a TV sweetheart for starring in numerous TV series, makes a screen comeback with this movie. She playsAe-lim, a taxi driver in Qingdao, China. Her expertise in the geography of Qingdao proves crucial in the quest to locate the voice phishing organization.
“Citizen of a Kind” promises to offer empathy, comfort, and a refreshing sense of satisfaction to many viewers. -press release
TATAK MNL 
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