The highly anticipated film “Bogota: City of the Lost,” set to release on Dec. 31, follows the story of a young South Korean man, Guk-hui, who moves to Bogotá, Colombia, in search of a new beginning after the 1997 Asian financial crisis. The film chronicles his tumultuous journey as he becomes entangled with powerful figures in Bogotá's Korean community.
The main trailer, released ahead of the premiere, opens with scenes of Guk-hui (played by Song Joong-ki) and his family arriving in Colombia, filled with hope for a new beginning. The visuals of yellow taxis, armed soldiers at the airport, and military dogs create a vivid contrast to the familiar landscapes of South Korea, highlighting the gritty and unfamiliar environment of a foreign land. As the first Korean film to be set in Colombia, it promises audiences a distinctive cinematic experience.
However, the family’s initial optimism quickly turns to despair. Guk-hui’s father, Geun-tae, is robbed at gunpoint, losing a bag containing the family’s entire savings. In a desperate attempt to recover the money, 19-year-old Guk-hui chases the thief, a pivotal moment that foreshadows the challenges he will face in the harsh realities of his new life.
Under Park’s mentorship, a powerful figure within Bogotá's Korean community, Guk-hui becomes involved in smuggling operations. His determination earns him Park’s trust, while Soo-young, Park’s second-in-command, begins to take notice of the ambitious young man. Tensions escalate when Park assigns Guk-hui a high-stakes mission to retrieve goods from Soo-young, who cryptically proposes, “How about I make you an offer?” This sets the stage for a suspenseful conflict as Guk-hui is caught in a dilemma that could alter his future. The stakes rise with the introduction of other key players: Park’s nephew, known as Park’s junior, Soo-young’s loyal protégé Jae-woong, and other figures competing for dominance within the Korean community and the lucrative smuggling market. These power struggles amplify the film’s intensity and drama.
One of the trailer’s standout moments showcases Guk-hui speaking fluent Spanish, coldly asserting, “I have no money or goods to share with thieves like you.” This striking transformation from a vulnerable newcomer to a hardened survivor hints at the trials that have shaped him. The trailer closes with Guk-hui’s defiant declaration, “I must make it to Sector 6 alive,” capturing his relentless climb from the depths of despair to the heights of his ambition.
