The film ‘Humint,’ which is set to be released on the 11th, may not be considered the most appealing work in director Ryoo Seung-wan's history, but it distills his directorial capabilities in the most organized manner. The film makes effective use of its lead actors, Jo In-sung and Park Jung-min, creating a symmetrical relationship between the story and the action direction, culminating in an engaging two-hour experience that builds tension and reaches explosive moments at precise intervals. The carefully crafted gunfight choreography recalls Michael Mann’s classic ‘Heat’ (1996) while the melodrama surrounding Park Jung-min’s character enhances the film's emotional depth amidst the cold scenery of Vladivostok, where the film is set.

The term ‘humint,’ which refers to human intelligence in espionage, is a continuation of the narrative world established in Ryoo's previous film 'Berlin' (2013). The concluding scenes of ‘Berlin’ featured Pyongyang's betrayal of a character named Yoo Jong-seong (played by Ha Jung-woo), who was shown purchasing a one-way train ticket in Vladivostok. While the aftermath of his story is subtly interwoven through character dialogues, ‘Humint’ introduces a new plot entirely. In the film, NIS agent Jo (Jo In-sung) travels to Vladivostok following clues left by an informant lost during his mission. There, he recruits a North Korean restaurant worker, Chae Sun-hwa (Shin Se-kyung), to uncover evidence of North Korea's involvement in mafia crimes. Meanwhile, North Korean security officer Park Geon (Park Jung-min), dispatched to investigate the disappearance of North Koreans, uncovers a connection involving consul Hwang Chi-sung (Park Hae-joon).

Similar to ‘Berlin,’ ‘Humint’ presents a narrative that unravels espionage intrigue through the lens of one South Korean and three North Koreans, exploring themes of suspicion, betrayal, pursuit, and action within the context of the rising tensions between North and South Korea. The film simplifies the more complex international dynamics seen in previous works involving the U.S., Israel, and Arab states, allowing viewers to focus on the unfolding narrative as it draws closer to revealing Park Geon’s character and his motivations in this charged atmosphere.