Yadang: The Snitch

I must admit I didn't quite understand just what was going on at the start of this. "Lee Kang-su" (Kang Ha-neul) is a brash and confident young man who manages to get information on drug dealers which he then passes on to the police and/or the public prosecutors in return for a cut and them getting a reduced sentence if they turn state's evidence. Thing is, the further up the food chain they get the more political "interference" the investigators encounter and pretty swiftly that causes problems for this young "Yadang" as he ends up a victim of his erstwhile protector, ambitious prosecutor "Ku Gwen-hee" (Yoo Hae-jin) and pumped full of blue methadone to the point where he doesn't know day from night. Once released, though, he unites with similarly manipulated former police captain "Oh Sang-jae" (Park Hae-joon) and an young actor (Chae Won-bin) whose career was wrecked after she, too, was exposed to this highly addictive substance and ultimately used as a glorified hooker by someone extremely close to the presidency - and the election is looming. Once the story gets up and running, this proves to be quite an entertaining, if not always entirely plausible, analysis of lucrative drug running and politicking in a South Korea that seems determined to stamp out criminality however perilous that path might be. It's a gritty, sometimes seedy film that sees both men and Chae Win-bin deliver strongly and in the case of Kang Hae-neul enthusiastically too. There is plenty of action across the two hours and the denouement has something of "The Sting" (1973) to it as vengeance knows few bounds. Worth a watch.

The best movie in 2025. I love ha neul. If you're looking for a Korean film that goes beyond action and dives into the emotional weight of betrayal and redemption, Yadang: The Snitch is a must-watch.

"Yadang: The Snitch" is a powerful and brilliantly crafted Korean crime drama that stands out as one of the finest films of the year. With its gripping storyline, intense performances, and emotionally complex characters, it delivers a thrilling yet deeply human experience.

The film masterfully explores the themes of loyalty, fear, and survival in a dangerous world where trust can be fatal. Every scene is filled with tension, and the cinematography captures the gritty reality of life on the edge.

I often watch Korean movies with plots involving police, prosecutors, politicians, criminals, and Korean-style betrayal, So I feel somewhat familiar with this type of movie, even though it doesn't feel new,but what keeps me watching and enjoying this movie is the writer's storytelling, excellent actor, Realistic action scenes It's a full 2-hour movie that flies by. The content is so tightly packed, I feel like the story could keep going.

A crime action film blended with comedy, the content is quite violent, including drug use. This film tells a story centered around a profession known as 'Yadang' in Korean.

(The snitch) A person who secretly provides information about the drug ring to the prosecutor's office and the police , and other attraction is the role of Lee Kang Soo , I like and enjoy the changes of Lee Kang Soo, From low-level criminals to the top of the "Yadang", his character is enthusiastic, high-energy, very crafty and crazy, his comedic exterior guy, but his eyes reveal a sense of very hight confidence. He made many enemies and was not afraid of anyone. That was because he had confidence in the prosecutor who supported him, Kang Soo sincere to the prosecutor,but when his life's turning point arrives, his personality undergoes a change, and the confidence has faded from his eyes. The actors portrayed this role charmingly and perfectly.

A stylish and energetic thriller, Yadang: The Snitch succeeds through sheer force of momentum and a magnetic lead performance. While its plot is a deliberately tangled web of betrayals and counter-schemes, the film's confident direction and visceral action create a satisfying and propulsive viewing experience. It is a slick, aggressive piece of filmmaking that finds a gripping rhythm within its own calculated chaos, delivering a revenge story that is as intricate as it is rewarding.🔥

When a swift street smart Lee Kang-soo (Kang Ha-neul) finds himself in jail for being unjustly accused as a meth dealer, he encounters an eager prosecutor, Goo Gwan-hee (Yoo Hai-jin), who offers to reduce Lee's sentence by having him work as a snitch, "Ya-Dang". However, when it comes to sting operations and using Ya-Dangs, narcotics officer Oh Sang-jae (Park Hae-joon ) becomes suspicious of Goo's techniques, and it appears he might be involved in a convoluted criminal network.

This South Korean film, Yadang - The Snitch, has a well written storyline with many exiting and unsuspected plot twists, from betrayal, corruption, to settling the score revenge. Director Hwang Byeng-Gug exercised good judgement not implementing exaggerated CGI's and kept the action scenes interesting and grounded.

The trio of main characters had great development, with outstanding cast members giving flawless performances.

Promising actor Kang Ha-neul, best known for Squid Game 2, knows how to deliver a combination of dynamic action with humor. Kang was well-suited to portray the sharp dressed, charismatic Lee Kang-soo.

Yoo Hai-jin was impressive transforming his role and building the underlying forces, while Park Hae-joon maintained a well balanced role that rises to the occasion.

Besides the entertaining action, the traditional South Korean food culture was incorporated throughout many of the scenes giving it a delicious element - It left me craving those noodles! Also, the post credits were a nice dessert of laughter.

With absolute certainty this movie is fantastic, and I am hopeful for a sequel.

• Writer for Countdown City Geeks.