Program Note
Busan in 1982, Ik-hyeon, a corrupt customs officer facing a layoff, stumbles upon heroin and decides to make a fortune from it. In this incident, which sets him on a path to greater criminality, he meets Hyung-bae, a business partner for drug trafficking. Hyung-bae’s back-alley skills and Ik-hyeon’s lobbying skills propel them to the top of the underground world, but the declaration of the war on crime in the 1990s puts a crack in their relationship. With a dramatic story, interesting characters, an amazing cast, and a memorable setting, Nameless Gangster: Rules of Time ultimately boils down to Choi Min Sik’s portrayal of Ik-hyeon. Although he appears to have no special talent other than his audacity and ambition to succeed, Ik-hyeon takes on the central role in the story because this character symbolizes the way power is exercised in Korean society. Thanks to his skillful performance, the audience can witness the transformation of an insignificant commoner with nothing but pride into a criminal, feeling a mix of disgust and fascination. (JANG Byungwon)