Troll Factory

Troll Factory is a 2024 South Korean crime drama film directed and written by Ahn Gooc-jin, and starring Son Suk-ku, Kim Sung-cheol, Kim Dong-hwi, and Hong Kyung. Based on the novel of the same Korean name by Chang Kang-myoung, a work based on the National Intelligence Service's illegal election intervention case. It is about a public opinion manipulation company that infiltrates Internet sites and manipulates public opinion by leaving malicious comments. It was released on March 27, 2024.

Premise
It follows the narrative of Im Sang-jin, a reporter who is suspended from his work for publishing an article exposing a huge corporation's tyranny, until an anonymous source comes and informs him about online public opinion manipulation.

Cast

 * Son Suk-ku as Im Sang-jin: a newspaper reporter seeking reinstatement after being suspended for writing an article exposing the tyranny of a large corporation, and getting closer to the true nature of the so-called 'Troll Factory', which operates in political as well as business realms.
 * Kim Sung-cheol as Jjingppeotking: the de facto leader who shows quick thinking and takes the lead in manipulating public opinion.
 * Kim Dong-hwi as Chattatkat: an anonymous writer who creates hooked stories and an informant who announces the existence of the comment unit.
 * Hong Kyung as Paeptaek: a keyboard warrior who feels the power of online public opinion manipulation and becomes increasingly addicted to it.
 * Lee Sun-hee (actress) as Pyo Ha-jeong: editor-in-chief of a newspaper company.
 * Kim Jun-han as Nam Ki-hong: the head of the public opinion team.
 * Park Sun-woo
 * Cha Young-ju
 * Kim So-min

Development
The film developed under the working title The Comments Army and director Ahn Gooc-jin, who directed Alice in Earnestland (2015) took the megaphone.

It is produced by Cinematic Moment and distributed by Acemaker Movieworks.

Casting
Son Suk-ku was offered the role of the main character in July 2022.

The appearance of Son along with Kim Dong-hwi were confirmed in January 2023. Followed by Kim Sung-cheol and Hong Kyung in February 2023.

Production design
Art Director Hong Joo-hee, who worked on The School Nurse Files (2020), My Name (2021) and The Moon (2023), contributes to the film's unique visual identity with a realistic and original production design. Costume Designer Jo Sang-kyung, who worked on Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017), Squid Game (2020–present), and Hunt (2022), brings her expertise to craft unique and distinct character portrayals through the costumes.

Filming
Principal photography began on March 6, 2023.

Visual effects
Cinematographer Cho Hyung-rae, who worked on The Merciless (2017), Kingmaker (2022), Kill Boksoon (2023) and Concrete Utopia (2023), and Lighting Director Lee Gil-gyu who worked on Tune in for Love (2019), Kingmaker (2022), Concrete Utopia (2023) and Citizen of a Kind (2024) have combined their talents to craft the film's overall visual concept.

Music
Music Director Cho Young-wook, who worked on A Taxi Driver (2017), The Man Standing Next (2020), Hunt (2022), Decision to Leave (2022), Narco-Saints (2022) and Honey Sweet (2023), will compose the score, creating a unique atmosphere for the film to take place.

Release
Troll Factory was released on March 27, 2024.