Actors Were Shocked by the Script—This Korean Film Is Making Waves Before Its Release!

An upcoming Korean film is generating major buzz ahead of its release next month, thanks to its bold and unconventional subject matter.

On March 13, a press conference for 'YADANG: The Snitch' was held at Megabox COEX in Gangnam, Seoul, with director Hwang Byung-guk and lead actors Kang Ha-neul, Yoo Hae-jin, Ryu Kyung-soo, Chae Won-bin, and Park Hae-joon in attendance.

Kang Ha-neul on Playing a Ruthless Broker

Kang Ha-neul, who plays the role of Lee Kang-soo, a broker navigating the underground drug world, described his character as “an ambitious man willing to push through any obstacle.”

"I didn’t want to portray him as someone driven by justice alone," he explained. "Instead, I focused on expressing the ambition that fuels his every move."

Kang also shared his first impression of the script, admitting he was misled by the film’s title. “At first, I thought this was a political film, but I was shocked when I read the script and realized it wasn’t,” he said. “The screenplay was so tightly structured and engaging that I couldn’t put it down, which is why I decided to take on the role.”

A Crime Thriller Unveiling the Dark Reality of Drug Investigations

'YADANG' is an action-packed crime thriller that follows a powerful broker orchestrating South Korea’s underground drug trade, an ambitious prosecutor aiming for the top, and a relentless detective willing to risk everything to dismantle the drug cartel. With conflicting motives driving each character, the film promises an intense and gripping storyline.

The movie's title and central theme revolve around the term "Yadang", an actual slang word used within drug enforcement circles. In reality, “Yadang” refers to brokers who operate as informants, leaking drug-related intelligence to law enforcement in exchange for reduced sentences or financial rewards.

Director Hwang Byung-guk first learned about the existence of Yadang through an article shared by producer Kim Won-guk. To develop a realistic and highly detailed script, Hwang conducted in-depth research by meeting with drug enforcement detectives and individuals who had previously worked as Yadang.

Hwang is known not only as a filmmaker but also as an actor. Most notably, he appeared in the 2023 box-office hit '12.12: The Day', where he played an incompetent army general.

'YADANG: The Snitch' is set to hit theaters on April 23, promising a gripping exploration of South Korea’s underground drug trade like never before.