The Spy Gone North, directed by Yoon Jong-bin, is a spy thriller based on a true story set in the 1990s, when tensions were high between North and South Korea. The film follows the story of Park Seok-young, a South Korean intelligence agent who is given the mission of infiltrating a North Korean delegation in Beijing.
Park, played by Hwang Jung-min, is a seasoned intelligence officer with years of experience in the field. He is tasked with getting close to a high-ranking North Korean official, code-named "Black Venus," who is suspected of being involved in the country's nuclear program.
To gain the trust of the North Koreans, Park assumes the identity of a businessman interested in investing in North Korea. He gets into contact with Black Venus, played by Lee Sung-min, and starts building a relationship with him.
As Park gets deeper into the North Korean delegation, he finds himself torn between his duty to his country and his growing affection for the people he is pretending to betray. He also discovers a shocking truth about the North Korean nuclear program, which puts his own life and the safety of both Koreas in danger.
The Spy Gone North received critical acclaim for its tense atmosphere, thrilling plot, and outstanding performances by its cast. It was selected as the South Korean entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards.