A compelling crime drama that features an excellent cast of gangsters that I wouldn't expect from South Korea. No hands down, this is my favorite South Korean gangster film.
"Undercover police officer Ja-sung (Lee Jung-jae) infiltrates Goldmoon, the biggest crime syndicate in Korea, to investigate them under the command of his handler Chief Kang (Choi Min-sik). After eight years, Ja-sung becomes the right-hand man to the ring's second-in-command Jung Chung (Hwang Jung-min), who holds the real power. But when its leader is killed in a mysterious car accident, Goldmoon is thrown into a succession struggle that threatens to tear it apart. With a baby on the way, Ja-sung is desperate to retire, however Kang keeps him on as rival factions quickly develop around two prospective leaders, the gang's number 2, Jung Chung and number 3, Lee Joong-gu (Park Sung-woong). Top-level police officials initiate "Operation New World" to intervene in Goldmoon's selection process for the next leader, and to use the leader's death to their advantage in controlling the crime organization. Caught between Jung Chung who trusts him with his life, and Kang who thinks of him only as bait, Ja-sung is cornered by both bosses on opposite sides and must make a final decision that rests on loyalty and betrayal"_ Wiki
Choi Min-Sik plays case handler and section chief Kang Hyung-chul who controls the main character Lee Ja-sung (Lee Jung-jae). He is a bastard of a man who will stop at nothing to complete his job even if he has to lose some of his key employees. At one point, you think he will change for the better but that moment never comes. His ending is not a good one but an enjoyable one for whoever watches the film.
Hwang Jung-min portrays Jung Chung, who happens to be a quick-tempered high-ranking gangster who might become the new boss. Jung Chung is the one who starts all of the violence in the film, so seeing him appear usually means you're about to see something violent. Besides that, Jung Chung is a very interesting character who you always will second guess until his very end.
Last but not least the main character Lee ja-sung (Lee Jung-jae) who is the man who is second in command for one of the contenders to be the next boss. You learn he is the undercover cop and over time you understand his true motives. He is very compelling to watch, he happens to be the reasonable character in the film. Under the stress of two worlds, the character has to make his own path towards his own ending.
The best actor in this film in my opinion is Hwang Jung-min who happens to be my second favorite actor in Korea. He shocked me in this movie in so many ways. This film was a completely different body of work than his other films. I overly this film because of his appearance and I hope everyone else agrees with me.
I suggest this film to those that like gangster films but beware there's not a whole of action it's still fun to watch.
3/5
Starring
Hwang Jung-min
Also appears in:
Private Eye
Dancing Queen
11th Mom
5 senses of eros
In my End is my Beginning
Dramas:
The Accidental Couple
Peninsula
Lee Jung-jae
Also Appears in:
The Housemaid
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