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Entertainment • Action Film

Kill Boksoon

Kill Boksoon is a 2023 South Korean action thriller film written and directed by Byun Sung-hyun.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Kill Boksoon is a 2023 South Korean action thriller film written and directed by Byun Sung-hyun. It stars Jeon Do-yeon as Gil Bok-soon, a single mother who is also a top contract killer. The film was released on Netflix on March 31, 2023.

Premise

The story centres on a contract killer who works for MK Enterprises while dealing with the demands of single motherhood. Her attempt to manage both lives creates conflict within her professional world and at home.

Production and release

Kill Boksoon was written and directed by Byun Sung-hyun and distributed by Netflix. It was released globally on March 31, 2023, with a runtime of 137 minutes.

Cast

Jeon Do-yeon leads the film as Gil Bok-soon, with Sul Kyung-gu as Cha Min-kyu and Kim Si-a as Bok-soon’s daughter Gil Jae-young. Esom and Koo Kyo-hwan appear in supporting roles.

Reception and style

The film is presented as a stylized Korean action thriller with violent fight sequences and melodramatic family tension. Reviews highlighted its combination of assassin drama and mother-daughter conflict.

Key facts

  • The film follows Gil Bok-soon, a renowned assassin who struggles to balance her work with raising her teenage daughter.
  • It was written and directed by Byun Sung-hyun.
  • Jeon Do-yeon plays the lead role of Gil Bok-soon.
  • Kill Boksoon premiered at the 2023 Berlin International Film Festival before streaming on Netflix.
  • Its genre is commonly described as action thriller, with crime and mystery elements.

Frequently asked questions

What is Kill Boksoon about?
It follows a top assassin who is also a single mother, and the tension between her dangerous job and family life.
Who directed Kill Boksoon?
It was written and directed by Byun Sung-hyun.
Who stars in Kill Boksoon?
Jeon Do-yeon stars as Gil Bok-soon, alongside Sul Kyung-gu, Kim Si-a, Esom, and Koo Kyo-hwan.
When was Kill Boksoon released?
It was released on Netflix on March 31, 2023.
What language is Kill Boksoon in?
The film is in Korean.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kill_Boksoon
    Supports: Basic film identification, cast, release date, director, runtime, language, country, and premise.
  2. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/81478985
    Supports: Official synopsis, starring cast, and distribution on Netflix.
  3. Netflix Tudum — https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/kill-boksoon-release-date-news
    Supports: Plot details, characters, release timing, and production context.
  4. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/kill-boksoon-movie-review-2023
    Supports: Premise, character relationships, and critical description of the film.
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kill_boksoon
    Supports: Genre, runtime, original language, rating, and release date.