Gangster Kdrama

[Nathen Paisley]

Gokusenher family are real gangsters and the students are not, but they are the classic delinquents (with a heart of gold). Everyone is hilarious with a lot of typical over-the-top manga adaptation humor.

The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil (Korean: 악인전; Hanja: 惡人傳; RR: Ak-in-jeon"The story of evil people")[a] is a 2019 South Korean action crime film directed by Lee Won-tae. The film stars Ma Dong-seok, Kim Mu-yeol and Kim Sung-kyu. In the film, a gangster and a cop join forces to catch a serial killer, but face challenges from their respective enemies at work.[2][3][4][5]

The film was released theatrically in South Korea on 15 May 2019, and was also screened in the "Midnight Screenings" section at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival as well as at the 2019 Fantasia International Film Festival.[6]

After a man's car is hit by a stranger, the stranger kills him as he takes pictures of the damage to submit to his car insurance. Jung Tae-seok is a cop who goes through the crime scene and suspects it to be the work of a serial killer, but his commanding officer does not believe him. Jang Dong-soo is a crime boss who, while on his way home after a meeting, is hit by the same killer, who tries to kill him as well. A brutal fight ensues, leaving both of them injured. Finally, the killer escapes after hitting Dong-soo with his car. Dong-soo is admitted to the hospital, and his henchmen assume that the attack was committed by a rival gang, whom they counter-attack.

Meanwhile, Dong-soo orders his right-hand man, Kwon Oh-sung, to kill his rival Heo Sang-do with the killer's knife that already has traces of blood from the killer's previous victims. An enraged Tae-suk gets into a fight with Dong-soo upon learning what he has done as the killing is confirmed to be the work of a serial killer, causing the case to be transferred to the major case squad. Dong-soo attends Sang-do's funeral; the killer also turns up and informs Sang-do's second-in-command that Sang-do was killed with the killer's knife, but by someone else. When Tae-suk and Dong-soo check the killer's car for any evidence, they are attacked by Sang-do's henchmen. A fight ensues, resulting in the death of Sang-do's right-hand man while in a fight with Tae-suk.

Dong-soo gets him buried and clears the scene. Tae-suk gets assigned to investigate a kidnapping case and, while solving it, spots the killer. A chase ensues, but the killer is able to escape. Through forensic test, Tae-suk discovers the killer to be a missing person. He informs Dong-soo about this and lets him hear a voice clip to confirm the missing person is the killer. Later, Dong-soo helps a high school girl by giving her his umbrella but soon learns that the girl has been murdered and his umbrella was found at the crime scene. Dong-soo and Tae-suk and their men start looking for the killer in the area where the girl was murdered and eventually find him in a car. In the ensuing chase, the killer manages to kill Oh-sung but is finally captured and incapacitated by Dong-soo. Dong-soo takes the killer away to torture and kill him, but Tae-suk tracks them down and crashes his car into the hideout just as Dong-soo is about to kill the killer. Tae-suk hits Dong-soo with his car and arrests the killer.

The police have no conclusive evidence against the killer, Kang Kyung-ho. As a last resort, Tae-suk asks Dong-soo, the sole survivor of the attacks, to testify. Simultaneously, Tae-suk threatens to release a tape of Dong-soo's confession of having Sang-do killed. During Kyung-ho's trial, Dong-soo arrives to testify and provides decisive testimony. Dong-soo successfully predicts the existence of a stab wound on Kyung-ho's body, previously inflicted by Dong-soo during their first encounter. Dong-soo also provides misleading evidence framing Kyung-ho for Sang-do's murder. The court sentences Kyung-ho to death; however, Dong-soo is also arrested due to his illegal activities.

Tae-suk is finally promoted while Dong-soo is sent to the prison where Kyung-ho is kept: The condition which Dong-soo had requested Tae-suk fulfill in exchange for the testimony followed by his arrest. Spotting Kyung-ho, Dong-soo gleefully enters prison. While Kyung-ho is showering, he is confronted by Dong-soo with a rope in his hand and a smile on his face.

The Gangster, the Cop, The Devil was released in South Korea on May 15, 2019. The film will also be shown out of competition in the Midnight Screenings section at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival.[11]

The film received positive critical reviews. On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a score of 97% based on 34 reviews, with an average rating of 7/10. The critics consensus states, "An odd couple cop thriller with a twist, The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil tells its entertaining story with a blend of humour and hard-hitting ."[12] On review aggregator website Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 65 out of 100 based on seven critics, indicating "generally favourable reviews".[13]

Leslie Felperin of The Guardian stated "Although its final act shreds credulity, and the structure is a bit wonky, this pulpy crime thriller from Korea is still a real kick in the head. Like so many of the genre that hail from Seoul and its suburbs, this one punches well above its weight with an inventive reworking of well-worn plot tropes and slick production values."[14] Jessica Kiang of Variety commented "Korea has dominated the midnight-movie/genre slots at international festivals so thoroughly of late that it's hard not to view Lee Won-tae's "The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil" in terms of its shortcomings in comparison to the likes of Train to Busan, The Age of Shadows, The Wailing and so on. But what this fun, slick but slightly forgettable hardboiled actioner lacks in terms of the energy, originality and inventiveness of a true Korean genre classic, it almost makes up for as a showcase for the burly charisma of star Don Lee, aka Ma Dong-Seok."[15] Cary Darling of the Houston Chronicle added "Director/writer Lee Won-tae, for whom this is only his second feature, keeps the pace moving swiftly with this cats-and-mouse game, showing off an energetic sensibility that heralds a new voice on the South Korean film scene. It's no wonder that "The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil", which was invited for a midnight-screening slot at the recently concluded Cannes Film Festival, has been picked up by Hollywood for an English-language remake with Sylvester Stallone producing."[16]

On 5 May 2019, it was announced that Sylvester Stallone and his Balboa Productions partner Braden Aftergood will produce the US remake of The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil, with Ma Dong-seok reprising his role and producing the film under BA Entertainment.[23][24][25]

The Worst of Evil tells the deadly tale of a dangerous mission where an undercover cop infiltrates a Gangnam gangster squad leading the drug trade between Korea, China and Japan. The action thriller crime noir K-drama stars Ji Chang Wook, Wi Ha Joon, Im Se Mi and Bibi.

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Bloodhounds focuses on two young boxers pursuing money as the duo gets tangled in the vicious world of private loans and loan sharks. The action crime noir K-drama stars Woo Do Hwan, Lee Sang Yi, Park Sung Woong, Huh Joon Ho and Kim Sae Ron.

When it comes to gripping narratives and intense action, the best Korean gangster movies of all time offer a unique blend of thrilling stories and complex characters. These films delve into the underworld of crime and power struggles, capturing the raw essence of gangster life through exquisite cinematography and storytelling. For both seasoned fans and newcomers, Korean cinema has plenty to offer in this intense genre.

A few notable entries in this genre include A Bittersweet Life, which highlights the tragic consequences of loyalty and betrayal in the criminal world. The Man from Nowhere is a high-octane thriller that combines heartfelt drama with brutal action sequences. Then there's New World, a captivating tale of undercover operations and gang rivalries that keeps viewers guessing until the end.

As a cinematic magnum opus of Korean gangster genre, New World ensnares its viewers in a labyrinthine tale of gritty subterfuge and allegiance. Portrayed by Lee Jung-jae, Hwang Jung-min, and Choi Min-sik, the prominent characters grapple with internecine conflicts, leaving no room for respite. The movie's compelling narrative, replete with captivating performances, garnered critical acclaim, cementing its reputation as a powerhouse in the world of Korean cinema.

Mirroring the discordant symphony of life in a sprawling metropolis, The Outlaws is a gritty mosaic of crime and retribution. Ma Dong-seok, a superstar in Korean cinema, delivers a top-notch performance as a relentless detective pitted against menacing adversaries. The film, both visceral and melancholic, resonates with viewers long after the credits roll, carving an indelible mark on the ever-evolving tapestry of Korean gangster movies.

Doused in a chiaroscuro of visceral action and poignant emotion, The Man from Nowhere captivates audiences and critics alike. Won Bin's arresting portrayal of a reclusive hero, propelled into the ruthless world of organized crime to protect an innocent child, tugs at the heartstrings, and seizes the senses. Ferocity and sentiment intertwine, ensuring that this movie remains an enduring treasure in the pantheon of Korean gangster cinema.

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