2006 / Park Cheol-hie > Shin Ha-kyun once again takes the role of a deaf-mute (last seen in Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance), only this time he’s a contract killer earning money for himself. Under first-time director Park’s instruction, the story evolves as a black comedy while not sparing the blood. The action is swift and not the focus, which instead falls on the killer’s battle with a speech disability and a woman, played wonderfully by Yun Ji-hye, who somehow becomes a part of his life. Breaking genres, the plot development is a little slow but works effectively leading to an engrossing climax. No Mercy for the Rude is a fresh surprise in what’s been a fairly weak and underwhelming year for Korean cinema, and now that The Weinstein Company has picked up the North American distribution rights to the film, it should get the exposure it deserves.