Program Note
Detective Taesoo returns to his hometown of Onseong for the first time in over a decade after the sudden death of his close friend Wangjae. Sensing something suspicious, he teams up with their youngest friend, Seokhwan, to uncover the truth. As they face unexpected attacks and the mystery deepens, Taesoo realizes that the town he once knew has changed beyond recognition. Together, they plunge into the dangerous truth behind Wangjae¡¯s death.
A landmark in Korean action cinema, this film was the first project produced by Filmmakers R&K after its founding in 2005. It showcases the company¡¯s signature gritty and realistic action style, blending Eastern and Western influences to heighten the film¡¯s raw intensity. Director RYOO Seung-wan, who also stars in the film, performs all his own stunts alongside acclaimed action director JUNG Doo-hong, delivering some of the film¡¯s most iconic sequences. With its inventive choreography and sharp, memorable dialogue, the film remains a compelling and enduring standout in Korean genre cinema. (Martin LEE)