Set near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the story follows (Lee Je-hoon), a North Korean soldier nearing the end of his decade-long service. Disillusioned by a system where his future is predetermined, Gyu-nam meticulously plans a defection to the South—not just for a "better" life, but for the right to fail on his own terms.

, the film explores a high-stakes defection from North Korea and was officially released in South Korea on July 3, 2024. Movie Profile: Lee Jong-pil Lee Je-hoon, Koo Kyo-hwan, Hong Xa-bin Release Date July 3, 2024 (South Korea); July 5, 2024 (USA/Canada) Running Time 94 minutes Action, Thriller, Military The story follows Lim Gyu-nam

(Lee Je-hoon), a North Korean sergeant nearing the end of his 10-year military service. Tired of a life where his future is predetermined, he meticulously plans a daring defection across the heavily guarded Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) His plan is jeopardized when a lower-ranking soldier, Kim Dong-hyuk (Hong Xa-bin), attempts to escape first and is caught. Lee Hyun-sang

July 3, 2024 (South Korea); July 5, 2024 (USA/Canada). Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller. Main Cast: Lee Je-hoon as Sergeant Lim Gyu-nam. Koo Kyo-hwan as Major Ri Hyeon-sang. Hong Xa-bin as Kim Dong-hyuk. The Plot: A Race for Freedom

Plays a complex antagonist who represents the "forgotten dreams" of someone who conformed to the oppressive system.

If you’re looking for a thriller that keeps its foot on the gas from start to finish, Escape is it. Clocking in at a lean 94 minutes, this film strips away the typical political melodrama of North-South Korean stories and replaces it with a relentless, life-or-death footrace.

Delivers a physically grueling performance as a man driven by sheer tenacity.

Here’s a breakdown of what each part typically means: