‘Bogotá: City of the Lost’ (2024), a South Korean crime thriller directed by Kim Seong-je, delves into the struggles of immigrants navigating the perilous underworld of Bogotá. Set against the backdrop of the post-1997 Asian financial crisis, the film follows 19-year-old Guk-hee (Song Joong-ki), who moves to Colombia with his family in search of a better life. However, they quickly find themselves trapped in poverty. To survive, Guk-hee falls into the hands of Sergeant Park Jang-soo (Kwon Hae-hyo), a powerful figure in the Korean Merchants’ Association, who tests his loyalty through a dangerous smuggling operation.
Guk-hee’s resilience in the face of danger earns him the attention of both Park and Soo-yeong (Lee Hee-joon), a customs broker who lures him into increasingly risky deals. As Guk-hee becomes entangled in the underworld, he realizes that his choices could reshape the fate of the Korean community in Bogotá, pushing him toward a hunger for success.
While the film showcases solid performances, the pacing feels sluggish at times. The setting of Bogotá, which could have added depth to the narrative, remains largely underutilized. This is partly due to COVID-19 restrictions that shortened the production schedule. Additionally, Bogotá: City of the Lost fails the Bechdel test, which is disappointing given its scope.
Despite these issues, the film offers a gritty look at survival and ambition in a foreign land, though it struggles to make the most of its premise. The characters also felt a bit underdeveloped and lacked interesting growth.
You can find the film on Netflix. Check out the trailer below.
