The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil

After surviving a savage attack by a methodical serial killer known only as K, crime boss Jang Dong-su wakes up determined to catch the man who humiliated him. He ends up making an uneasy agreement with Jung Tae-suk, a dogged detective who normally stands in the way of Jang's illegal business. Jang wants simple revenge, Jung wants a legal conviction, and they set a blunt deal: whoever locates K first will decide his fate. The arrangement forces them into an uneasy cooperation that tests loyalties, exposes moral gray areas, and keeps the stakes high without ever revealing the final outcome.

Directed by Lee Won-tae, the 2019 film stars Ma Dong-seok as Jang Dong-su and Kim Moo-yul as Jung Tae-suk, with Kim Sung-kyu as the killer. The movie premiered in South Korea and later reached international audiences through festival screenings and wider distribution.

The picture did well enough at the box office to secure attention outside Korea, and it found a second life on streaming platforms that helped it reach a broader audience. Its commercial performance underlined growing interest in South Korean genre films, even if exact grosses vary by market.

The film helped raise Ma Dong-seok's profile internationally, showcasing his blend of physical presence and screen charisma. Certain scenes, especially tense confrontations and visceral fight sequences, stuck with viewers and were often shared online, contributing to the movie's reputation among action-thriller fans.

Critics and audiences tended to respond positively, reflected in a strong vote average of 7.843 out of 10 from viewers. Reviews highlighted the film's tight pacing, the odd-couple dynamic between gangster and cop, and the moral ambiguity that keeps you guessing about who deserves sympathy. Themes of justice, revenge, and the blurry line between law and criminality run through the story, making it more than a straightforward chase.