The movie’s climax, which involves a thrilling legal loophole where the Gangster must testify in a court of law to secure a death penalty for the Devil, perfectly encapsulates this clash between lawless vengeance and the judicial system. Conclusion: A Masterclass in Fact-Inspired Fiction
Furthermore, the "mob boss" Kim Tae-chon never entered into a formal alliance with the police. Kim was arrested shortly thereafter for his own crimes (including violence, blackmail, and running gambling dens). He only told the story about beating up the serial killer to the press after he was in prison, likely to boost his reputation.
A key part of the true story involves a pimp—not necessarily a "gang boss" in the traditional cinematic sense—who realized his employees were disappearing. This individual began his own investigation and eventually collaborated with the police to lure and capture Yoo in 2004. The Legal Paradox:
As the Korean title Akinjeon suggests, the film is about "the story of evil people." It explores the idea that sometimes, the line between the police and the criminal is blurred, and the only true evil is the one that kills without reason. Conclusion: How Much is True? is the gangster the cop the devil based on true story
The characters of the "tough guy" gangster and the "renegade" cop are classic tropes of Korean noir, designed to provide the "chocolate and champagne" pairing of violence and comedy. 🎬 Key Movie Details Director: Lee Won-tae
The 2019 South Korean action-thriller The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil
While the film focuses on the unlikely alliance, the core inspiration for the antagonist, "the Devil"—a serial killer known as Kang Kyung-ho (played by Kim Sung-kyu)—draws from the terrifying wave of serial killings that plagued South Korea in the early 2000s, specifically those linked to infamous murderers like Yoo Young-chul. The movie’s climax, which involves a thrilling legal
So, the next time you watch Don Lee’s massive fist smash through a car window to grab a serial killer, remember: That insane scenario is fiction. But the reason the serial killer was bleeding in the first place? That part is real.
The true story of the gangster-cop alliance became legendary in Korean law enforcement circles long before the 2019 film. In fact, when the script for The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil was first pitched in 2017, it immediately attracted international attention.
The central premise of the film hinges on the "devil" (the killer) attacking the "gangster" (Jang Dong-su), making it personal for the underworld boss. In the film: He only told the story about beating up
To make the story "theatrical," the filmmakers added specific elements that differ from the gritty reality:
But one question lingers after the credits roll:
The plot kicks into high gear when the Devil accidentally targets Jang Dong-soo, a massive crime syndicate boss. Dong-soo fights back, survives the stabbing, and becomes the only living witness to the killer's face. Out of wounded pride and a need to maintain his fearsome reputation, the gangster launches his own underworld manhunt.