Program Note
In Inside Men, Lee Byung Hun delivers one of the most multifaceted performances of his career as An Sang-gu, a political thug. As the film hurtles through betrayals, reversals, and shifting alliances, An Sang-gu undergoes a dramatic transformation from a political enforcer to a man forged by betrayal and revenge. To offset the film¡¯s heavy tone, Lee proposed injecting moments of dark humor, giving An Sang-gu a unique edge that stands out amid the methodical performances of co-stars Cho Seung Woo and Baek Yoon Sik. The result is a highly versatile performance, with Lee shifting tones so seamlessly it feels at times like he¡¯s playing multiple characters in one. Released during a boom in Korean political thrillers, Inside Men stood out for its commercial appeal and narrative density. (CHOI Eun-young)