Espionage proves popular theme in ROK movies

They are handsome, daring, patriotic and multilingual elite fighters who dodge bullets while remaining loyal to their women and families. Meet the new heroes of Republic of Korea's cinema - Pyongyang's spies.

This handout shows a movie still from the ROK tragicomic action film, Secretly, Greatly. The film was seen by 6.9 million people since its release in June. Showbox via Agence France-Presse

Portrayed by Hollywood as merciless terrorists in films such as White House Down, ROK films are increasingly depicting agents from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea as conflicted action heroes whose personal struggles embody a divided Korean Peninsula.

Such films, unimaginable a few decades ago, have been embraced by young ROK citizens who have no memory of the horrors of the Korean War (1950-53) and harbor less hostility toward their northern neighbor than older generations.

Both sides remain technically at war after the Korean conflict ended with an armistice six decades ago. Tension along the heavily fortified border erupts sporadically into deadly clashes.

For ROK filmmakers, Pyongyang is a "perfect inspiration" allowing them to mix fantasy with the realities of a neighbor that often threatens to turn Seoul into a "sea of flame".

The death of longtime DPRK leader Kim Jong-il in 2011 further inspired moviemakers, said Jang Cheol-soo, director of the recent hit Secretly, Greatly.

The tragicomic action film, seen by 6.9 million people since its release in June, is the third highest-selling ROK film so far this year.

"No other character can epitomize such turbulent and uncertain times like this than a DPRK spy," Jang said.

The story of an elite spy sent to live in a Seoul shantytown with a mission to kill key figures, Jang's film sees the young assassin pose as a village idiot to mingle with neighbors without drawing suspicion. But he is soon enamored with his caring, good-hearted neighbors - before unexpected tragedy unfolds.