About The Drug King

Explore:

• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music
• Soundtrack

About

The Drug King is a 2018 South Korean crime drama film directed by Woo Min-ho. The film stars Song Kang-ho, Cho Jung-seok, and Bae Doo-na. It is set in the 1970s and 1980s and tells the story of Lee Doo-sam, a drug smuggler who becomes a powerful figure in the drug trade.

The plot follows Lee Doo-sam's rise to prominence as he builds his empire from smuggling small amounts of drugs into Korea to becoming the most successful and feared drug lord in the country. As his power grows, he becomes entangled in a dangerous web of corruption, betrayal, and violence.

Making / Production

The Drug King was produced by Hive Media Corp and Opus Pictures. Director Woo Min-ho carefully researched the history of the drug trade in Korea to ensure authenticity in the film. The production team recreated the atmosphere and visuals of the 1970s and 1980s, capturing the era's fashion, music, and culture.

The film was shot on various locations in South Korea, including Seoul and Busan. The set designs, costumes, and props were meticulously created to reflect the time period. The production also utilized visual effects to enhance certain scenes and create a gritty and realistic atmosphere.

Actors

• Song Kang-ho as Lee Doo-sam - The main protagonist and drug lord. Song delivers a powerful performance, portraying the complex and ruthless nature of Lee Doo-sam.
• Cho Jung-seok as Kim In-goo - A prosecutor who becomes obsessed with bringing down Lee Doo-sam. Cho brings intensity and determination to his role.
• Bae Doo-na as Jeong-ah - Lee Doo-sam's wife. Bae portrays Jeong-ah as a strong and supportive partner in Lee Doo-sam's criminal enterprise.
• Kim So-jin as Yoon-sun - A former drug addict who becomes involved with Lee Doo-sam. Kim delivers a compelling performance, highlighting the complexities of her character.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The Drug King is loosely based on the real-life drug lord Lee Doo-sam, who operated during the 1970s and 1980s in South Korea.
• This is the second collaboration between director Woo Min-ho and actor Song Kang-ho, following their successful film "Inside Men" (2015).
• The film received critical acclaim for its gritty atmosphere, gripping storytelling, and strong performances.

Awards

The Drug King has received several accolades, including:

• Best Actor (Song Kang-ho) at the Asian Film Awards
• Best Supporting Actress (Bae Doo-na) at the Blue Dragon Film Awards
• Best Art Direction at the Grand Bell Awards

Quotes

• "Power isn't given. It's taken." - Lee Doo-sam
• "In this world, there are only two types of people - those who betray and those who are betrayed." - Kim In-goo
• "Behind every powerful man, there's a woman who keeps him grounded." - Jeong-ah

Music

The original score for The Drug King was composed by Jo Yeong-wook. The music enhances the tension and drama of the film, adding depth to the scenes.

Soundtrack

The film features a variety of songs from the 1970s and 1980s, capturing the nostalgic feel of the era. Some notable songs include "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen, "Hotel California" by Eagles, and "Dancing Queen" by ABBA.