Featuring advancements in technology, Seobok contemplates on the greed of humans for immortality.
With the recent terrorist attacks on Dr. Anderson, one of the lead researchers in project Seobok, the specimen of Seoin group’s experiment needs to be secured and transferred. Min Ki-hun (Gong Yoo), who used to work for the intelligence agency, is assigned to look after the human clone named Seobok (Park Bo Gum). At first, he is hesitant with the mission but later agrees after being promised benefits for his brain tumor.
During Seobok’s transfer, their vehicles get attacked by a private army. Ki-hun wakes up after the attack, and he drives the truck together with Seobok away from the group of men. He reports back to Chief Ahn (Jo Woo Jin) and hears instructions about the nearest safe house for him and Seobok.
Men from the intelligence company arrive at the safehouse, and Ki-hun is shocked with their new mission. They are assigned to take down Seobok, but Ki-hun disobeys the orders and saves Seobok. The two drive away from the safehouse, and Seobok expresses his wishes on going to Ulsan.
A Creation Born out of Greed
Distrusting the intelligence’s instructions, Ki-hun contacts the lab for instructions about Seobok. Meanwhile, Chief Ahn talks with the chairman of Seoin, and their differences in motives are revealed. Seobok hears about Ki-hun’s plans about returning to the lab, which brings them to an argument.
Ki-hun agrees to Seobok’s request of going to Ulsan, and they visit the deceased son and husband of Dr. Lim (Jang Young Nam). They then go back to the lab, only to discover the selfish intentions of Seoin’s research institute on Seobok. Angered to see lifeless Dr. Lim, whom he cherishes as a mom, Seobok crushes the lab and its people. In the end, Ki-hun hesitatingly shoots Seobok, following his own request.
Marcie Line watched Seobok on Vivamax
Movie Rating: 
Seobok movie Peak Points
Thought-provoking Debate on Human Clones
Seobok is a project by the research institute of Seoin. As the movie went on, we see that Seobok, even as a human clone, has desires to become something in life. However, with his origins, his fate is already decided, which is solely to serve the greed for human immortality.
The advancements in biotechnology are impressive as presented in the movie, but it also shows the dark side of these advancements. Various issues arise, and characters like Dr. Lim and Ki-hun who call out the unethical practices are shot down. These events in the movies expose the viewers to both sides of the coin.
Deep Reflection on Human Mortality
Chief Ahn may have had his own interests in shooting down Seobok, but his conversation with the Americans about life deeply explains the dangers of human cloning. The chairman of Seoin has intended to play god with the development of the project, and it just shows how the experiment poses danger to the whole of humanity.
In the movie, it was explicitly stated that immortality can ironically bring extinction to the whole of human existence. In addition to that, Seobok’s words on how living forever are also frightening puts death into perspective. Death may be something that is feared by many, but life without an end may also elicit the same weight of fear.
Expressive Character Acting
Park Bo Gum and Gong Yoo are paired together in this movie, and their performances are top-notch. Park Bo Gum portrays Seobok, and his acting clearly shows how he is a human clone. The pain from receiving injections resonates outside the screen, and his pure puppy eyes highlight his innocence as a human clone’s first time to step outside the lab.
On the other hand, Gong Yoo’s delivery of Min Ki-hun is consistent. As he is a character with a brain tumor, his scenes where he agonizes in pain are commendable. Moreover, his companionship with Seobok accurately depicts the growing attachment of his character, Ki-hun.
Seobok Movie Musings
Delivering a sci-fi movie, Seobok can also make viewers reflect on their values in life, such as the idea of death. It has also managed to discuss the ethics of such advancements in technology. With the progression of the movie, we can see that developments in science intertwine with politics and economics.
The chairman of Seoin can truly anger viewers because of his greed for immortality. Even the intelligence agency is against him, but none of the two can be considered as good characters. Both of them had their own selfish interests, which they mask as something that will benefit the whole of humanity.
Min Ki-hun’s desperate desire to escape death can resonate with a lot of people. However, after his argument with Seobok, he has come to realize that death is inevitable for humans. Like Ki-hun, we can learn that life having an end is meaningful and serves a purpose. Seobok can be enjoyed by viewers who are fond of philosophical reflections on existentialism.
Seobok’s creation shows that there are limits in research, and hastily speeding up the process can backfire on the creator. Again, the consequences of one’s greed can bring more harm than good as shown with what Seobok did to the chairman of Seoin. The movie’s conclusion imparts to viewers that death is inevitable, and those who are greedy for immortality are punished.
Seobok is now available on Vivamax and iQiyi for selected regions.
Photos: CJ ENM | KOFIC
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