Runway Cop – Review

Korea’s answer to “Miss Congeniality”, only with the opposite gender-sign. Thus, the brief description of “Runway Cop”, the new work of the director Shin Tae-ra Shin aka Terra (Black House). That’s pretty much Sin Tae-ra’s “Runway Cop” in a nutshell. An dirty detective goes undercover as a pretty woman to solve a crime. And it was awesome. There’s not really much too it besides that. It’s just light and funny. It does have a little bit of romance, but for the most part, it’s just a comedy.

I’ve really enjoyed the roles Lee Soo Hyuk has been taking on to further his acting career. Unfortunately, Runway Cop is a lot of flash and unfocused. “Runway Cop” looks a little obnoxious on the surface and perhaps it’s more stick that slap, but it’s romantic undertones and great story world allow you to look past some of its more cliché elements found in the K-comedy genre. The reason why I love Kang Ji Hwan so much is his ability to switch easily from comedic to dramatic acting. And he does with so much bravado and gusto. He certainly brings that out in his character of Detective Cha. Kang Ji Hwan embraces Chul Soo’s slovenly ways and is shameless about flaunting it. The best part about this film is you could see that most everyone making it was having a great time. They were enjoying the hijinks and seemed to enjoy working together and that sold the movie.

The weakest link was the two models who use to be best friends. I almost feel like they were put in to give us more pretty but they really did not seem to move the plot along. They could have had their story removed and not have hurt the plot at all. But the rest of the story was great fun. The relationship between Detective Cha and his boss and fellow officers was just wonderful and that really was the best part of the movie. All the action scenes were both exciting and funny. he ugly duckling has most assuredly become the gorgeous swan. Ladies be prepared to wipe away the drool when you see him. The supporting cast do their job in helping to move the plot along and providing some comedy. Kim Sun Ho (Lee Soo Hyuk) and Han Seung Woo (Kim Young Kwang) battle over the issue of morality and eventually the two help Chul Soo catch the bad guy. The pacing and progression of these two characters moves at a snails pace without much filler to fill out the time.

There is some slight sexual humor. Nothing too naughty, but I thought I should warn anyway since some people are sensitive to that. The story line is the same old one about drugs, modelling and power and corruption. But the way the story is told, is the attraction here. I am so pleased to have found and watched this movie that had given one great time and something that I can re-watch to lighten up the day! Yes, there are the technical flaws of the movie. Most noticeably the audio mixing which should be used to enhance the suspense, comedy and romance goes on break at some of the key scenes which would have illuminated the chemistry between our leads. However, in the end, this has an ‘A’ grade written all over it. Great fun!