Ballerina

Seeking closure after a best friend's death she couldn't prevent, Jang Ok-joo, a former bodyguard, dives back into the shadows she left behind. The mission she chooses is brutally personal: right the wrongs that cost her friend, and bring those responsible to justice. As Ok-joo stalks a dangerous underground network, the line between protector and predator blurs, and every encounter raises the stakes. The city becomes a pulse quickening battleground where precision and nerve count more than brute force. The tone stays lean and tense as memory drives a vengeance that might redefine who she is. Her path threads through corrupt corridors and quiet city corners where memories of her failed protection linger and every choice feels charged.

Directed by Lee Chung-hyun, Ballerina is a Korean action thriller released in 2023. It features Jun Jong-seo in a lean, high-stakes role, with Kim Ji-hoon and Park Yu-rim in supporting parts, presenting a contemporary take on grit and velocity globally.

Box office data isn't publicly listed, so worldwide gross isn't available. The film had a modest release in select markets and attracted a niche audience for its brisk pace, crisp editing, and stylish action. Its energy invites repeat viewings today for fans.

Reception has highlighted its lean pacing and sharp staging, with Jun Jong-seo's performance at the center of a cityscape. Critics note themes of loyalty and guilt, and the moral cost of vengeance as Ok-joo negotiates protection, power, and personal loss. Its visual language blends night landscapes with close quarters combat for newcomers.

At the time of release, Ballerina had few if any major nominations or wins reported. Critics smoothly note the director's craft and Jun Jong-seo's intensity, with attention focused on performances rather than awards. The film sits outside the biggest award conversations for now. It may win recognition later in regions.