The Worst of Evil

The Worst of Evil
Promotional poster
Hangul	최악의 악
Hanja	最惡의 惡
Literal meaning	Worst Evil
Revised Romanization	Choeag-ui ak
McCune–Reischauer	Ch'oeagŭi ak
Genre	Crime action[1] Thriller[2] Noir[3]
Created by	Kakao Entertainment[4]
Written by	Jang Min-suk
Directed by	Han Dong-wook
Starring	Ji Chang-wook Wi Ha-joon Im Se-mi Kim Hyeong-seo
Music by	Hwang Sang-joon
Country of origin	South Korea
Original language	Korean
No. of episodes	12
Production
Executive producer	Gang-in
Producers	Jang Se-jeong Park Ho-sik Han Jae-deok Joo Jae-sang
Running time	52–69 minutes
Production companies	Baram Pictures[4] Sanai Pictures[4]
Original release
Network	Disney+
Release	September 27 (2023-09-27) – October 25, 2023 (2023-10-25)

The Worst of Evil (Korean: 최악의 악) is a 2023 South Korean crime action thriller noir television series starring Ji Chang-wook, Wi Ha-joon, Im Se-mi, and Kim Hyeong-seo. It was released on Disney+ on September 27, 2023, at 16:00 (KST).^[5][6]

Plot

Set in the 1990s, The Worst of Evil follows undercover police investigators who infiltrate a massive criminal organization responsible for the illegal drug trade between Korea, China and Japan. Park Jun-mo is a senior patrol police officer in the countryside who is constantly belittled by the in-laws for having a lower rank and career prestige than his wife, Yoo Eui-jeong, an elite member of the Security Division of the Seoul Metropolitan police. Despite this, his wife always stands up for him. Sick of being emasculated by his job, he accepts a deal as an undercover cop in the Gangnam organization so he can get a promotion that matches his wife's prestige.

Meanwhile, Jung Gi-cheul, a DJ of a nightclub controlled by the mob called the Gangnam Union, is invited by the boss of the nightclub, Jang Kyung-chul to be his enforcer due to his ability to handle unruly customers. Eventually, Gi-cheul rises up in rank and becomes the manager of the nightclub. After being unable to handle a group of rich and highly influential customers, he suggests to Jang the idea of selling drugs to increase their profits and gain power over influential clients. In response, Jang slams a bucket of water in Gi-cheul's face, rebuffing the suggestion as he does not want to endanger his business by getting involved in narcotics. Having had enough with Jang, Gi-cheul and his friends orchestrate the assassination of both Jang and his followers. However, Gi-cheul's close friend Kwon Tae-ho is killed in the conflict. After the attack, Gi-cheul meets with Song Dong-hyuk, the mob's 'big boss', to gain his blessing to take over the Gangnam territory and promises him 50 million won in profit every month if he allows the trading of narcotics. Song accepts, and Gi-cheul becomes the boss of the Gangnam territory and the drug trade in it.

Cast

Main

• Ji Chang-wook as Park Jun-mo / Kwon Seung-ho

A senior patrol officer from a countryside police station who was constantly belittled by the in-laws for having lower rank than his wife. He was ordered to infiltrate Gangnam Union, with the promise of promotion and huge bonus which he accepts as he is tired of being looked down. He uses the name Kwon Seung-ho, a fake cousin of the dead Tae-ho, while in Gangnam Union.^[1]

• Wi Ha-joon as Jung Gi-cheul
  • Seo Jun as young Jung Gi-cheul^[7]

A former DJ and mob enforcer turned leader of Gangnam Union, the key organization and monopoly of the drug trade, after killing his boss.^[8]

• Im Se-mi as Yoo Eui-jeong
  • Shin So-hyun as young Yoo Eui-jeong^[9]

Jun-mo's wife who is an elite officer in the security division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. She is also Gi-cheul's first love during high school.^[10]

• Kim Hyeong-seo as Lee Hae-ryeon

A Korean-Chinese drug distributor for Dongmu Gang from Changchun. She came to Korea to trade with Gi-cheul.^[11]

Supporting

Gangnam Union

• Lee Shin-ki as Seo Jong-ryeol

A mid-level executive of Gangnam Union. He is a professional killer who wields his knife, assisting Gi-cheul with his brutal skills.^[12]

• Jung Jae-kwang as Kwon Tae-ho

Gi-cheul's best friend who was fatally stabbed to death during an attack on Kyung-chul and his men.^[13]

• Lim Seong-jae as Choi Jeong-bae

A member of Gangnam Union, and partners with Gi-cheul. He has sharp observation skills, and is rational with strategy to settle issues.^[14]

• Cha Rae-hyung as Hong Hee-seong

A member of Gangnam Union. He has a girlfriend who had gave birth to a boy.^[14]

• Bae Myung-jin as Bae Yong-dae

The youngest member of Gangnam Union. He partners Seung-ho in surveilling the Gangnam district.

Gangnam Police Station

• Ji Seung-hyun as Seok Do-hyung

The chief detective of the anti-narcotics department. He has been acquaintances with Jun-mo since his high school days, and he was the one who recommended Jun-mo to infiltrate the Gangnam Union.^[15]

• Yoon Kyung-ho as Hwang Min-goo

A shady homicide detective from Gangnam Police Station.

• Kim Beom-soo as Detective Go

A homicide detective from Gangnam Police Station, and Min-goo's partner.^[16]

Others

• Jung Man-sik as Jang Kyung-chul

The leader of another Gangnam organization.^[13]

• Lee Jeong-heon as Cho Chang-sik

The chief prosecutor of the Seoul District Prosecutors' Office.^[17]

• Dokgo Young-jae as Song Dong-hyuk

The chief of a Busan gang, and the boss of Kyung-chul.

• Ye Soo-jung as Yoon Won-gil

A drug manufacturer, with the nickname Professor Yoon.

• Park Sang-hoon as Sung Ki-soo

The leader of Jaegeon Gang.

• Woo Kang-min as Bok-nam

The vice leader of Jaegeon Gang.^[18]

• Gyeol Hwi as Cheol-gon

A member of Jaegeon Gang. He has intended to take advantage of Gi-cheul.

• Keum Kwang-san as Baby

The operations leader of an organization opposite of Gangnam Union.^[19]

Production

Principal photography began on August 24, 2022, and wrapped up on April 28, 2023.^[20]

Accolades

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination

Award ceremony	Year	Category	Nominee / Work	Result	Ref.
Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards	2024	Best Supporting Actress	Kim Hyeong-seo	Nominated	[21]
Baeksang Arts Awards	2024	Best Director	Han Dong-wook	Won	[22]
		Best New Actor	Lee Shin-ki	Nominated	[23]
		Best New Actress	Kim Hyeong-seo	Nominated

References

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2. Lee, Si-jin (August 28, 2023). "Two global streamers to release shows for Chuseok". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
3. Lee, Gyu-lee (September 5, 2023). "Blockbuster action shows to comedies set to hit small screen this month". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
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5. Gladys Yeo (October 4, 2022). "Crime-action K-drama 'The Worst of Evil' to premiere on Disney+ in 2023". NME. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
6. Kim, Na-yeon (August 14, 2023). "지창욱X위하준 강렬한 만남..'최악의 악', 9월 27일 디즈니+ 공개 [공식]" [Ji Chang-wook X Wi Ha-joon Intense meeting...'Worst Evil', released on September 27th Disney+ [Official]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on August 14, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023 – via Naver.
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9. tenasia.hankyung.com, Digital (September 21, 2023). "[공식] '손예진 아역' 신예 신소현, '최악의 악' 출연…임세미 어린 시절 연기". 텐아시아 연예뉴스 (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
10. Hwang, Soo-yeon (August 12, 2022). "[단독] 임세미, '최악의 악' 합류…지창욱·위하준과 장르물 호흡" [[Exclusive] Im Se-mi joins 'The Worst Evil'... Genre collaboration with Ji Chang-wook and Wi Ha-jun] (in Korean). Xports News. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022 – via Naver.
11. Yoon, Hyo-jeong (August 28, 2023). "지창욱·위하준·임세미·비비(김형서)…'최악의 악' 포스터 공개" [Ji Chang-wook · Wi Ha-joon · Lim Se-mi · Vivi (Kim Hyung-seo)... 'Worst Evil' poster released] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023 – via Naver.
12. Ahn, Byung-gil (September 13, 2023). "이신기 '최악의 악' 출연···지창욱·위하준과 호흡" [Lee Shin-ki to star in 'The Worst Evil' --- working with Ji Chang-wook and Wi Ha-joon] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2023 – via Naver.
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14. 김, 현덕 (September 26, 2023). "조인성·한효주→지창욱·위하준, '무빙' 빈자리 '최악의 악'이 채울까 [SS현장]". 스포츠서울 (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
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16. "김범수 '최악의 악' 출연". entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 12, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
17. 손, 봉석 (September 15, 2023). "'소옆경2' 배우 이정헌, '최악의 악' 냉혈한 부장검사로 변신". sports.khan.co.kr (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
18. Lee, Seul-bi (September 18, 2023). "우강민, 디즈니+ '최악의 악' 합류…재건파 부두목 된다" [Woo Kang-min joins Disney+'s 'The Worst Evil'...will be a reconstructionist vice captain] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023 – via Naver.
19. Son, Bong-seok (September 19, 2023). "배우 금광산, 디즈니+ '최악의 악' 출연" [Actor Geum Kwang-san to star in Disney+'s 'Worst Evil'] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on September 19, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023 – via Naver.
20. Lee, Mi-ji (April 28, 2023). "최악의 악' 크랭크업..지창욱X위하준 "최선 다해 후회無..행복한 시간들이었다" ['worst evil' cranks up...Ji Chang-wook, Wi Ha-joon "I did my best, no regrets...happy times"] (in Korean). Herald POP. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023 – via Naver.
21. "ACA & Global OTT Awards: Nominations 2024". Asia Contents Awards. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
22. Lee, Seung-hoon (May 7, 2024). '무빙'→'서울의 봄' 대상..'파묘'는 4관왕 [제60회 백상예술대상][종합] ['Moving' → 'Seoul Spring' Grand Prize..'Buried Grave' wins 4 awards [60th Baeksang Arts Awards] [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024 – via Naver.
23. Hwang, So-young (April 8, 2024). 60회 맞은 '백상예술대상' TV·영화·연극 후보 공개 [60th 'Baeksang Arts Awards' TV, Film and Theater Candidates Revealed] (in Korean). JTBC News. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024 – via Naver.

External links

• The Worst of Evil on Disney+
• The Worst of Evil at IMDb 
• The Worst of Evil at HanCinema