Confidential Assignment 2: International (2022) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film is set across three major cities: New York City, Seoul, and Pyongyang. This global span reflects the international nature of the manhunt, with scenes in hotels, clubs, government facilities, and embassies. The cross-border setting highlights the scale of the conspiracy and the high stakes for all parties involved.

• new york
• seoul
• pyongyang
• setting
• locations
• global
• international

North Korean agent Im Cheol-ryung is assigned to Seoul to recapture the criminal Jang Myeong-jun, partnering with South Korean operative Kang Jin-tae. Despite their countries' fraught history, they must collaborate with American FBI agents to pursue a shared enemy. The theme explores how urgent circumstances can forge alliances across deep political divides, though trust is constantly tested by competing agendas.

• north korea
• south korea
• cooperation
• alliance
• im cheol-ryung
• kang jin-tae
• agents

Jang Myeong-jun is the leader of a North Korean terrorist organization who orchestrates the money heist driving the plot. Known for his calm and calculating demeanor, he redeploys assets and fights back against the collapsing conspiracy as the international manhunt closes in. His role as the primary antagonist creates the tension that spans across continents.

• jang myeong-jun
• villain
• antagonist
• terrorist
• criminal organization
• money heist

Im Cheol-ryung is a North Korean agent and Cheol-ryeong's senior who is assigned to Seoul to recapture Jang Myeong-jun. His past loyalties and experience shape the mission, and his partnership with Kang Jin-tae adds strategic depth to the pursuit. He confronts the complexities of working with former rivals for a common goal, representing the film's exploration of shifting allegiances.

• im cheol-ryung
• north korean agent
• Hyun Bin character
• character role

Betrayal is a central theme, woven through multiple character reveals. Kim Jung-taek is exposed as Bohrmann in disguise, complicating trust within the investigation. Joe also betrays Jang Myeong-jun to steal the money. These betrayals escalate the pursuit across continents and intensify the personal stakes, as hidden motives come to light and loyalties shift throughout the film.

• betrayal
• kim jung-taek
• bohrmann
• trust
• loyalty
• twist

Jack is an FBI agent portrayed by Daniel Henney who collaborates with Korean counterparts to bring Jang Myeong-jun to justice. He probes the crime network for deeper betrayals and moral compromises, adapting to a cross-border operation. His leadership and persistence help connect the American and Korean strands of the investigation.

• jack
• FBI agent
• daniel henney
• american agent
• investigation

The film depicts money laundering, fake passports, and illegal cell phones as the backbone of Jang Myeong-jun's operations. Sergey supplies the fake passports and illegal phones that enable the criminal enterprise, with his network including various international players. The pursuit targets this hidden network as the protagonists close in on the criminal empire, with the stolen money ultimately being donated to charity.

• criminal networks
• money laundering
• fake passports
• organized crime
• sergey

Park Min-young, whose real name is Yoona, is Kang Jin-tae's sister-in-law who joins the operation. She leverages family connections to assist the infiltration, demonstrating quick thinking and social acumen during the high-stakes club scene. Her involvement adds a personal dimension to the multinational pursuit, tying family ties to the mission.

• park min-young
• yoona
• sister-in-law
• kang jin-tae family
• character role

Personal stakes are heightened by threats to Jin-tae's family and by Im Cheol-ryung's past loyalties. Park Min-young's involvement ties family connections directly to the mission, adding emotional weight to the professional risk. The story explores whether duty can override kinship when lives are on the line, as family connections become leverage and loyalty is tested throughout.

• family
• loyalty
• kinship
• duty
• personal stakes
• relationships

Kang Jin-tae is Cheol-ryung's ally and relative by marriage who helps infiltrate the criminal network. After being reassigned to the cyber crime department due to a past error, he hopes to redeem himself and return to the investigative team. His loyalty to the mission drives the multinational effort forward as he participates in on-the-ground actions including surveillance and infiltrations.

• kang jin-tae
• south korean agent
• redemption
• character role
• investigative team