Plot: What Is The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil About?
Jang Dong-su (Don Lee) is a feared crime boss. One night a sadistic serial killer, known only as K, picks him as a target. Dong-su survives, but the attack wounds his pride as much as his body, and he wants payback.
Detective Jung Tae-suk (Kim Moo-yul) is a stubborn cop who refuses to be bought. He has spent years disrupting Dong-su’s illegal operations, and now he is chasing the same killer. The gangster has the street connections and the witness the police need. The cop has the badge and the investigative reach. Working together makes sense, even though they distrust each other.
They agree to a risky deal: whoever reaches K first decides what happens to him. Dong-su wants revenge. Tae-suk wants an arrest and a courtroom. As the hunt moves through Korea’s underworld and police precincts, the line between law and crime starts to blur. The film’s tagline sums up the stakes: “Don’t let the devil win.”
Review Guide: What Makes This Korean Thriller Notable
- An unusual partnership: The story’s core is a forced alliance between a gangster and a cop who are natural enemies, both chasing a third and more dangerous man.
- Don Lee in the lead: Don Lee plays crime boss Jang Dong-su. Kim Moo-yul plays the defiant detective, and Kim Sung-kyu plays Kang Gyeong-ho.
- Strong supporting cast: Yoo Jae-myung, Heo Dong-won, Lee Seo-hwan, Oh Hee-jun, Kim Gyu-ri, Yoo Seung-mok and Ryu Tae-ho round out the ensemble.
- Written and directed by Lee Won-tae: One filmmaker handled both the script and the direction, which gives the film a single creative vision.
- Genre mix: It combines action, crime and thriller elements. The film’s listing tags it as based on a true story and centres on a serial-killer investigation.
- South Korean production: It was made by Acemaker Movieworks, BA Entertainment, Kiwi Media Group and B&C Content. The film is in Korean and runs 110 minutes.
Who Will Enjoy It
- Fans of Korean crime thrillers and gritty police stories
- Viewers who like Don Lee’s tough-guy screen presence
- Anyone drawn to serial-killer manhunts and cat-and-mouse tension
- People who enjoy morally grey heroes and enemies forced to work together
- Action fans who want a story with real dramatic weight
Release Date in the Philippines & Where to Watch
The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil was first released on May 15, 2019. A Philippine release date has not been announced in the available data.
Streaming options in the Philippines are not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data as of October 24, 2026. Check back with local streaming services for updates. A trailer is available for anyone who wants a preview of the film’s tone before watching.
Trailer
Cast
Don Leeas Jang Dong-suSee credits →
Kim Moo-yulas Jung Tae-sukSee credits →
Kim Sung-kyuas Kang Gyeong-ho
Heo Dong-wonas Choi Moon-sikSee credits →
Yoo Jae-myungas Heo Sang-do
Lee Seo-hwanas Choi Jeong-gyu
Oh Hee-junas Kim Dong-chul
Kim Gyu-rias Cha Seo-jin
Photo: TMDB
FAQ
- What is the release date of The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil in the Philippines?
- The film was first released on May 15, 2019. A specific Philippine release date has not been announced in the available data.
- Where can I watch The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil in the Philippines?
- Streaming platforms for the Philippines are not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data as of October 24, 2026.
- Who is in the cast of The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil?
- Don Lee plays crime boss Jang Dong-su, Kim Moo-yul plays detective Jung Tae-suk, and Kim Sung-kyu plays Kang Gyeong-ho. Yoo Jae-myung, Heo Dong-won and Kim Gyu-ri are also in the cast.
- What is the plot of The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil?
- After surviving an attack by a serial killer called K, a gangster teams up with a relentless detective to find him. They agree that whoever catches K first decides his fate.
- How long is The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil?
- The film runs 110 minutes. It is in Korean and was written and directed by Lee Won-tae.
Viewer comments
Loading comments…
No comments yet. Be the first!