Secretly, Greatly
"Playing the fool for the Dear Leader."
Three top North Korean agents slip into ordinary life so completely that their real identities blur with the stories they tell to survive. For years they've played the role of civilians and operators, sharing meals, jokes, and tough luck with the people around them while never letting the truth... Read more
Watch NowNot Currently Available On (8 platforms)
Streaming availability last verified: January 29, 2026
About Secretly, Greatly
Three top North Korean agents slip into ordinary life so completely that their real identities blur with the stories they tell to survive. For years they've played the role of civilians and operators, sharing meals, jokes, and tough luck with the people around them while never letting the truth break through. Then a covert mission shifts the heat onto them from above, forcing an impossible choice that would pit friend against friend. As loyalty and deception collide, the group must weigh duty against the lives they've built in a world of secrets, misdirection, and fraught camaraderie.
Released in 2013, this South Korean action drama was directed by Jang Cheol-soo with an original screenplay by Yoon Hong-gi, Kim Bang-hyun, and Lee Yoon-ho. Kim Soo-hyun leads alongside Park Ki-woong and Lee Hyun-woo, delivering a blend of humor and high stakes and a confident directorial touch.
Reception and themes paragraph.
Critics greeted the film as a sharp mix of action, comedy and drama that probes how long a cover can feel like real life. It threads suspense with sly humor, and the ensemble earns praise for keeping emotional tension high as loyalty tests push the characters toward difficult choices.
Box office data isn't provided in the available information. The film is noted for its reception rather than a record breaking commercial haul, and discussion around it tends to focus on performances, direction, and the blend of genres rather than box office milestones.
Awards: No major nominations or wins are listed in the available materials. Critics discuss the film in terms of its craft and performances rather than awards. While the cast earns praise for conveying tension and humor, the project is typically treated as a solid genre piece rather than an awards favorite. This is common for high concept spy thrillers that prioritize pace and character dynamics over ceremony.
Details
- Release Date
- June 05, 2013
- Runtime
- 2h 4m
- User Ratings
- 208 votes
- Type
- Movie
- Genres
- Action, Drama, Comedy
- Country
- South Korea
- Studio
- MCMC +4 more
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
Kim Soo-hyun
Won Ryu-hwan / Bang Dong-gu
Park Ki-woong
Lee Hae-rang
Lee Hyun-woo
Lee Hae-jin
Son Hyun-joo
Kim Tae-won
Ko Chang-seok
Seo Sang-gu
Kim Sung-kyun
Seo Soo-hyuk
Shin Jung-keun
Mr. Park
Hong Kyung-in
Jo Doo-seok
Lee Chae-young
Ran
Park Eun-bin
Yoon Yoo-ran
Director: Jang Cheol-soo
Written by: Yoon Hong-gi, Kim Bang-hyun, Lee Yoon-ho