A Rhapsodic, Kinetically Charged, Roller Coaster Ride of Relentless in Yer Face Action and Sanguineous Violence
Opened April 25 in Theaters in the U.S. and Canada
Director Hwang Byeong-gug
YADANG: THE SNITCH weaves the fates of three men: 1, an informant AKA as a Yadang who spies on the inner workings of South Korea’s drug kings for law enforcement; 2, a prosecutor hungry for power; and 3, an honest detective willing to risk everything to eradicate drug crimes. Their conflicting ambitions make for a kinetically charged film that can keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
Actor Kang Ha-neul as the flamboyant Snitch Lee Kang-soo.
At the heart of the film is the growing societal issue of drug crime. Director Hwang Byeong-gug’s masterpiece is the kind of film that inspired this reviewer to want to wax loquaciously but reviewer knows little about the realities of organized crime in South Korea and had to engaged in serious research: South Korea has a vibrant film industry yet big-budget high-profile crime films aren’t as common as in other regions of the world. This, according to this reviewer’s modest research, is due to government influence, market polarization, and the relative stability of South Korea, which historically limited organized crime. There are other factors.
The film delves into the hidden world of criminal deals and centers on the enigmatic Yadang, a major facilitator in the underground drug trade. YADANG: THE SNITCH filmmakers insist that their movie is the first of its kind, setting it apart from conventional crime action movies. The story tells of Lee Kang-oo who forms an alliance with the relentless prosecutor Ku Gwan-hee who is determined to climb to the top of the ranks of South Korean prosecutors. Meanwhile, Detective Oh Sang-jae, a tenaciously honest narcotics detective known as ‘The Jade Emperor,’ relentlessly pursues them.
Actor Kang Ji-Woon plays Detective Oh Sang-jae.
Their intertwined fates take a dramatic turn as a single event sets off a chain reaction, propelling them into an explosive conflict. The filmmakers lay stake to this claim, that, Rather than being just another crime film, it’s a spectacular thrill ride where time flies. Audiences will feel the fast-paced, tightly woven narrative. The fresh concept and intricate psychological battles between the characters make this film especially compelling.”
Said Director HWANG Byeong-guk: “I needed actors with wide emotional range — performers who could convey both innocence and darkness with equal depth.”
According to press notes and publicity information, Director HWANG Byeong-gug first learned about the existence of Yadang in 2021 after reading a news article about mysterious figures gathering in prosecutors’ offices. The article sparked his imagination and deepened his curiosity. Realizing, according to press notes for the film, that the subject had never been explored in cinema before, Director HWANG Byeong-gug engaged in extensive research to craft a screenplay of meticulous detail and verisimilitude. He conduct firsthand interviews with real world narcotics detectives as well as former real world Yadang operatives.
YOO Hai-jin plays Prosecutor Ku Gwan-hee
YADANG: THE SNITCH is the latest project from Hive Media Corp., a powerhouse studio behind box-office hits like 12.12: THE DAY and DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
Founded in 2014, Hive Media Corp. has produced impactful films that have left a significant mark on the Korean film industry. From INSIDE MEN to THE LAST PRINCESS, GONJIAM: HAUNTED ASYLUM, THE MAN STANDING NEXT, DELIVER US FROM EVIL, 12.12: THE DAY, HANDSOME GUYS, A NORMAL FAMILY, HARBIN, and SECRET:UNTOLD MELODY, the studio has captivated audiences across diverse genres—including period dramas, horror, thrillers, comedy, romance, and action—without compromising on quality.
In particular, 12.12: THE DAY became a nationwide sensation in 2023, attracting 13.12 million viewers and securing its position as the highest-grossing film of the year.
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the WORD Editor, Researcher Gregg W. Morris