In a 1990s crime thriller, an undercover cop infiltrates a ruthless drug syndicate
In short: Set against the backdrop of 1990s South Korea, The Worst of Evil follows a rural detective who goes undercover to dismantle a massive criminal organization. Driven by a desire to escape his professional insignificance, he infiltrates the Gangnam Union, a syndicate controlling a complex drug trade spanning Korea, China, and Japan.
The series centers on Park Jun-mo, a countryside homicide detective who feels emasculated by his lower rank compared to his wife, Yoo Eui-jeong, an elite officer in the Seoul Metropolitan Police. Seeking a promotion and a chance to match his wife's prestige, Jun-mo accepts a dangerous assignment to infiltrate the Gangnam Union. He adopts the alias Kwon Seung-ho, posing as the cousin of a deceased mob associate to gain the trust of the organization's leadership.
The Gangnam Union is led by Jung Gi-cheul, a former nightclub DJ who rose to power through brutal ambition. After his former boss, Jang Kyung-chul, rejected his proposal to sell narcotics to influential clients, Gi-cheul orchestrated a violent coup to seize control of the territory. To solidify his new position, Gi-cheul secured a deal with a higher-level mob boss, Song Dong-hyuk, promising monthly profits of 50 million won in exchange for the right to monopolize the local drug trade.
The narrative explores the intersection of personal stakes and systemic corruption. Jun-mo's infiltration is complicated by his wife's past; Eui-jeong was Gi-cheul's first love during their high school years. As Jun-mo navigates the violent hierarchy of the syndicate, he must balance his undercover mission with the volatile dynamics of the mob, all while working under the guidance of his high school acquaintance, the chief detective of the anti-narcotics department. The series, which began principal photography on August 24, 2022, and concluded on April 28, 2023, premiered on Disney+ on September 27, 2023.
The show highlights the internal tensions within the Gangnam Union, where loyalty is tested by professional killers and strategic partners. While Jun-mo attempts to dismantle the organization from within, the syndicate's reach extends across international borders, involving drug distributors from Changchun and competing criminal factions. The series serves as a noir-inflected examination of how individual desperation and the pursuit of power can fuel a sprawling, illicit empire.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Worst of Evil
- Also: Wikidata — The Worst of Evil · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — The Worst of Evils: The Fight Against Pain · CC0
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-the-worst-of-evil.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in World cinema · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
