Synopsis
Detective Kang Chul-Choong (Sol Kyung-gu) is a tough, hotheaded cop. He is also as corrupt as they come. He never makes an arrest because he'd sooner take a bribe. But when an internal affairs investigation threatens, Kang's older and more circumspect partner, Song Haeng-gi (Kim Ju-bong), commits suicide, leaving Kang slightly unhinged. Cho Gyu-hwan (Seung-jae Lee of Attack the Gas Station!) is a wealthy fund manager and family man who also has a problem controlling his temper. Cho gets angry when his elderly father calls in a loan in order to help a struggling orphanage. Cho has the money invested in a can't-miss stock, and will lose millions if he pays his father back, so one rainy night, while Kang is nearby on a stakeout, Cho brutally murders his parents. While making his escape, wearing a hooded raincoat, Cho has his first encounter with Kang. He literally bumps into him on the street, and when Kang upbraids him for it, Cho, not realizing Kang is a cop, slashes Kang's face. When Kang hears about the vicious double murder, he realizes that he was attacked by the killer, and joins the investigation. Suddenly, police work isn't about the money any more for Kang. Kang didn't get a good look at Cho that night. But after questioning the vain, supercilious young man, Kang immediately suspects him. Cho uses his powerful connections in the police department to thwart Kang's efforts, but Kang is determined to deliver his own unique brand of justice, no matter what the cost. Gongongeui Jeok (Public Enemy) was directed by Kang Woo-Suk and was shown at the 2002 New York Korean Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide