The story’s "truth-adjacent" grit was so compelling that it caught the attention of American producers. Sylvester Stallone’s production company, Balboa Productions, actually signed on for a Hollywood remake before the original was even out of theaters—with Don Lee (Ma Dong-seok) set to reprise his role as the gangster. Final Verdict
Even though it isn't a "biopic," The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil feels authentic because it nails the setting. The early 2000s in South Korea were a time of rapid transition, and the film accurately portrays the tension between the police force and the organized crime syndicates of that era. is the gangster the cop the devil based on true story
So, is it a true story? You won't find a news archive detailing a mob boss testifying in court against a serial killer he helped catch. However, the film is a "composite" of true events. It takes the terrifying reality of 2000s-era serial killers and drops them into a fictional "what if" scenario involving the Korean underworld. The story’s "truth-adjacent" grit was so compelling that
In the film, the partnership represents a moral grey area: the cop (Jung Tae-seok) is willing to break the rules to catch a monster, and the gangster wants revenge to maintain his reputation. In reality, while Korean police have historically used informants within the criminal underworld, a full-blown tactical alliance between a kingpin and a detective is a stylized narrative device used to heighten the stakes. Why the Movie Feels So Real The early 2000s in South Korea were a
This is where the movie leans more into fiction. There is no public record of a high-ranking South Korean mob boss (like Don Lee’s character, Jang Dong-su) survives a serial killer’s attack and then signs a formal "contract" with a police officer to hunt the killer down.
It’s a masterclass in taking the vibe of true crime and turning it into a high-octane thriller. Are you a fan of South Korean thrillers, or