The Outlaws (2017 film)

The Outlaws (2017 film)
The Outlaws is a 2017 South Korean crime action film, written and directed by Kang Yoon-sung, starring Ma Dong-seok and Yoon Kye-sang. It was released on October 3, 2017. Set in 2004, the film revolves around Detective Ma Seok-do, who tries to control the gang-wars between Chinese-Korean gangs while also dealing with a ruthless loan shark named Jang-Chen.
The Outlaws is the first installment of Crime City series. It was followed by a sequel titled The Roundup, which was released in 2022 and another sequel titled The Roundup: No Way Out released in 2023.
Plot
In South Korea, a gang war grows between the local gangs that run Garibong-dong in Guro District, Seoul and a Heuksapa gang from Yanbian, Korean Autonomous Prefecture, China. The police are called in to attempt to bring peace to the neighborhood. Jang Chen is the bloodthirsty leader of the Chinese gang, "Black Dragon". Chen, also works as a loan shark enforcer. He's backed up by his henchmen Wei Sung-Rak and Yang-Tae. Jang Chen is beyond brutal in his methods to collect money.
Ma Suk-Do is a detective in the Chinatown area of Seoul. Ma and his Captain Jeon Il-man, try to keep the peace while two Chinese-Korean gangs dubbed "Venom Gang" headed by and Ahn Sung-Tae and "Cobra Gang" headed by Jang-I-Soo battle over control. Chinese gang leader Jang Chen, along with Sung-Rak and Yang-Tae makes their move to take over Chinatown. They kill Sung-Tae and take over Jang-I-Soo's casino. Enraged, Jang-I-Soo attacks the casino. Sung-Rak and Yung-Tae fight with Jang-I-Soo and his henchmen, but are interrupted by Ma, who arrests Sung-Rak. Yang-Tae escapes and informs Jang-Chen.
Ma and Jeon learn about Jang Chen's crimes and plan to arrest him. Jang Chen and Yang-Tae attack Jang-I-soo and his henchmen and kill them at Jang-I-Soo's mother's birthday party. Later, Jang Chen's location is revealed to hotelier and CEO Hwang. Jang Chen had killed Hwang's men in his hotel. Hwang's men try to kill Jang Chen in revenge but, he manages to escape. Hwang is later killed by Jang Chen, who learned of Hwang's attempt on his life. Detective Ma seeks the help of Chinatown citizens for help to catch the Chinese loansharks. They agree and start taking photos of the gang members.
Ma and his fellow police officers arrest all of them, including Yang-Tae. One of the police officers named Kang Hong-seok, sees Jang Chen and pursues him. However, he gets trapped and Jang Chen tries to run him over with a car. Ma saves him by crashing into Jang Chen's car. But, Jang Chen escapes. Ma chases after him but, loses sight of him after a while. Jang Chen reaches the airport to fly back to China. Ma finds Chen in the airport restroom and they fight. Ma manages to knock down Jang Chen and leaves him handcuffed in the restroom. The gang leaders are arrested and Jeon is congratulated by the commissioner where Ma and his team celebrate for solving the case. Just then, Ma is called by the commissioner to investigate another case.
Cast
Main
Ma Dong-seok as Ma Seok-do
A Detective in Seoul's Crime Unit, assigned to put an end to Chinese-Korean gang wars in the Garibong district, of Seoul.
Yoon Kye-sang as Zhang Qian (張謙 / 张谦)
A notorious crime lord, from Harbin, China, leader of the "black dragon gang" (Heilungbo, 黒龙波) a Triad gang, who comes to Garibong to collect debts, and is known for dismembering anyone who resists.
Supporting
Jo Jae-yoon as Boss Hwang Choon-sik
Choi Gwi-hwa as Captain Jeon Il-man
Im Hyung-joon as Do Seung-woo
Jin Seon-kyu as Wei Chengluo (魏成洛)
Hong Ki Joon as Park Byeong-sik
Heo Dong-won as Oh Dong-gyoon
Ha Jun as Kang Hong-seok
Kim Sung-kyu as Yang Tai (樣態)
Park Ji-hwan as Zhang Yishuai (張夷帥)
Heo Sung-tae as Ahn Sung-tae (Viper)
Min Kyung-jin as Yeon Gil Restaurant CEO
Uhm Ji-sung as Wang-oh
Kim Gu-taek as CEO Kwak
Park Sang-gyu as CEO Won
Yoo Ji-yeon as Ahn Hye-kyeong
Special appearances
Cho Jin-woong as Chief of Regional police investigation unit
Jung In-gi as Chief of police
Oh Min-ae as Garibong-dong female merchant
Ye Jung-hwa as Airport head
Yoon Joo as Kang Hong-seok's fiancée
Production
Filming
Principal photography began on February 27, 2017 and ended on July 19, 2017.
Original soundtrack
Reception
The Outlaws opened in South Korea on October 3, 2017. By October 23, it grossed from more than 5 million admissions. One month after it was released, the film marked 6.05 million admissions, with gross. By December 1, the film had reached 6.87 million admissions with a gross of , making it the 3rd highest-grossing domestic film of the year in South Korea and the third best-selling R-rated Korean film of all time.
Awards and nominations
Sequels
The Roundup (2022)
A sequel of the film titled as The Roundup directed by Lee Sang-yong was released on May 18, 2022. Ma Dong-seok, Choi Gwi-hwa, Park Ji-hwan, Heo Dong-won, and Ha Jun reprised their roles. The film became the highest-grossing film of the year surpassing 10 million ticket sales on the 25th day since its release. It also became the 3rd highest-grossing film and 9th most viewed film in South Korean cinema history.
The Roundup: No Way Out (2023)
The production of a second sequel under title The Roundup: No Way Out is currently in progress with a target release in 2023.
References
External links
2017 films
2010s Korean-language films
2017 crime action films
South Korean films remade in other languages
South Korean crime action films
South Korean gangster films
South Korean police films
Crime films based on actual events
Action films based on actual events
Films set in 2004
Films set in Seoul
2010s South Korean films
B.A. Entertainment films