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Secretly, Greatly
An uneasy collision of pastel slum whimsy and bone-crushing espionage tragedy, where lethal wolves masquerade as docile fools under a sky that slowly gathers storm clouds of inevitable betrayal.
Secretly, Greatly
Secretly, Greatly

은밀하게 위대하게

"Playing the fool for the Dear Leader."

05 June 2013 South Korea 124 min 7.0 (218)

Director: Jang Cheol-soo

Cast: Kim Soo-hyun, Park Ki-woong, Lee Hyun-woo, Son Hyun-joo, Park Hye-sook

Drama Action Comedy Imposed Identity vs. Genuine Selfhood Exploitative Indoctrination vs. State Betrayal Found Family and Maternal Love The Tragic Absurdity of the Korean Division

Secretly, Greatly — Movie Quotes

Memorable Quotes

난 들개로 태어나 괴물로 길러졌다.
— Won Ryu-hwan

Context

Delivered during an interior monologue by Won Ryu-hwan.

Meaning

Encapsulates the brutal dehumanization of Unit 5446 training, contrasting his lethal conditioning with his absurd everyday masquerade as Dong-gu.

다음 생엔 평범한 나라에서, 평범한 집안에 태어나, 그냥 평범하게 살다 가고 싶어.
— Won Ryu-hwan

Context

Shared with Hae-rang and Hae-jin while sitting together on the rooftop lookout.

Meaning

Marks the emotional climax of their rooftop camaraderie, revealing that their ultimate ambition is not military glory or political victory, but unremarkable domestic peace.

난... 그 평범한 놈 옆집에 태어나서, 너 괴롭힐란다.
— Lee Hae-rang

Context

Spoken in response to Ryu-hwan's wish for a normal life during their rooftop conversation.

Meaning

A flippant yet warm deflection that binds the three men in an affectionate pact transcending political factionalism and projecting their brotherhood beyond death.

엄마, 아프지 마요.
— Won Ryu-hwan

Context

Whispered by Ryu-hwan as he clutches the savings bankbook left behind by Soon-im.

Meaning

Reflects his realization that he had already found the genuine maternal love he spent years dying to protect.

조국은... 날 버린 적이 없다.
— Ri Hae-jin

Context

Delivered as a desperate, tragic plea during the climax when confronted with the command's suicide directive.

Meaning

Illustrates the agonizing mental struggle of letting go of lifelong ideological indoctrination even in the face of betrayal.

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