‘Squid Game 2’ Star Kang Ha-neul Navigates Gray Zones in Hwang Byeong-gug’s Korean Crime Thriller ‘Yadang: The Snitch’

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In the ongoing spotlight on South Korea’s film industry, the movie “Yadang: The Snitch” provides viewers an uncommon peek behind the scenes into the covert realm of informants secretly active within the drug control apparatus of the country.

Under the direction of Hwang Byeong-gug, who’s also known for his role in “Squid Game 2”, Kang Ha-neul stars in the movie. At the moment, it’s the top-grossing film in Korea and will be available in U.S. and Canadian cinemas starting April 25, courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment.

This gripping thriller hails from the creators of blockbuster productions “12:12 The Day” and “Inside Men.” It revolves around an undercover operative, often referred to as a “yadang,” who secretly supplies intelligence about the drug underworld to legal authorities. When a high-profile drug raid implicating powerful second-generation figures uncovers a sinister conspiracy, the yadang is thrust into a deadly struggle for survival.

For director Hwang, the project began with a news article shared by Hive Media Corp. CEO Kim Won-kuk in 2021. “The term ‘Yadang’ mentioned in the article referred to someone operating on the border between legality and illegality, which struck me as a compelling subject for a film,” Hwang tells EbMaster. “At the same time, it was becoming clear that Korea could no longer be considered a drug-free nation. I wanted to raise awareness about the dangers and severity of drug crimes.”

For star Kang Ha-neul, the intrigue of discovery was just as captivating. As he expresses, “The primary motivation for accepting this role was undeniably the script – it was concise and brimming with energy. Moreover, ‘Yadang’ was a world I would have remained oblivious to without this script.” He adds, “It struck me that if I, too, had been unaware of this world, many other audiences likely were as well. This realization sparked my interest in the project – I found it enticing to present these characters to viewers for the first time.

In an interview, actor Kang-su Lee discusses the complex role he played in the series – a character who straddles the boundary between criminal activity and law enforcement. This dual nature presented unique acting hurdles for him. “My character isn’t morally upright,” Kang explains, “yet portraying him as overtly villainous could have alienated the audience, making it hard for them to follow his storyline. On the other hand, I didn’t want to gloss over his wrongdoings or present them as heroic acts.” Instead, he aimed to depict the ambiguous ‘gray area’ of his character’s actions with utmost care and honesty.

As a passionate admirer delving into the world of ‘Yadangs’, I found myself engrossed in genuine research about these intriguing characters. By pouring over interviews and writings that the director had painstakingly gathered, I came to understand the unshakable self-assuredness that defines them. It was then that I truly grasped their unyielding confidence, as if they were invincible – untouchable, even in the face of being caught. Such is the captivating allure of the ‘Yadangs’.

In this movie, Kang is joined by actors Yoo Hai-jin from “Exhuma” and Park Hae-joon from “The World of the Married.” This forms an intriguing dynamic among the informant, prosecutor, and detective. As Hwang clarifies, since drug enforcement in Korea involves both the police and prosecutors, it was fitting for the narrative to involve a Yadang (prosecutor), a detective, and their respective roles.

Under the watchful eye of martial arts director Heo Myeong-haeng, action sequences were given exceptional care. As Hwang explains, they drew inspiration from real-life drug raids and apprehensions by narcotics officers, aiming to capture that authenticity on film. Additionally, the characters’ unique personalities were mirrored in their movements, thereby accentuating each character’s individuality.

In my opinion, one particularly captivating segment showcases a gripping hand-to-hand fight sequence involving squirming eels. This wasn’t just for fun, it also boosted authenticity by limiting movement and intensifying the physical sensations, as the director himself pointed out.

Hwang considers this movie as a contribution to the growing crime genre tradition in Korea. “Korean crime-action films, starting with ‘No. 3’ (1997), and moving forward through ‘The Unjust’ (2010), ‘Inside Men’ (2015), and ‘Asura: The City of Madness’ (2016) have evolved a distinctive noir style that intertwines prosecutors, police, the media, gangsters, and informants.

For Kang, whose professional journey encompasses everything from romantic comedies to historical epics, followed by roles in “Squid Game 2” and now “Yadang,” the transition to more intense roles isn’t deliberate or strategic. Instead, he chooses projects that genuinely pique his curiosity, rather than making a conscious effort to reshape or redefine his image. The link between “Squid Game” and “Yadang: The Snitch” is purely coincidental; it wasn’t part of any master plan or larger strategy.

Currently, Kang is shooting the movie titled “First Ride,” and he’s set to join the cast of the drama series “Tastefully Yours” next month, following his role in “Yadang: The Snitch.

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2025-04-24 15:50