Narco Saints (2022) is a gripping Korean crime drama series that premiered on Netflix. The show follows the life of Kang In Gu, a struggling young man who accepts a job offer that lands him in the world of drug smuggling. In Gu is thrown into a sea of troubles and has to fight for his survival and his family’s wellbeing. The series is directed by Yoon Jong Bin and stars Ha Jung Woo, Hwang Jung Min, Park Hae-soo, Jo Woo Jin, and Yoo Yeon Seok.
The Storyline:
Kang In Gu is an orphan who has to take care of his two younger siblings. He works as a waiter in a bar and lives in a messy house. In Gu decides to get married to a religious girl named Hye Jin, who agrees to marry him under the condition that he goes to church regularly. After their marriage, In Gu’s life improves as he becomes the owner of a bar and opens a workshop near an American military base. He has two children with Hye Jin, and their financial needs increase.
In Gu’s friend Park Eung Soo, who works as a sailor, offers him a business opportunity to transport stingrays from Suriname to Korea. In Gu accepts the offer, but in Suriname, he gets involved with drug smugglers who use his shipment to transport cocaine. In Gu gets arrested by the authorities, and his friend gets killed. A member of the National Intelligence Service (BIN) approaches In Gu and offers him a deal to catch the drug traffickers in exchange for his freedom.
In Gu accepts the offer and becomes an informant for the BIN. He infiltrates the drug trafficking ring and tries to gather information to bring the criminals to justice. In Gu’s life turns into a dangerous game of cat and mouse as he navigates through the complexities of the drug underworld. He has to complete his mission while keeping his family safe from harm.
The Characters
The character of Kang In Gu is played by Ha Jung Woo, who does an excellent job portraying the struggling young man’s emotions. Hwang Jung Min plays the role of Park Eung Soo, In Gu’s friend who involved him in the illegal business. Park Hae-soo plays the role of the BIN agent, who recruits In Gu as an informant. Jo Woo Jin plays the role of a gangster who works for the drug traffickers.
The Themes
The show explores several themes, including the struggles of a man who is trying to provide for his family, the dangers of getting involved in illegal activities, and the complexity of the criminal underworld. The series also sheds light on the corruption in law enforcement agencies and how people are forced to make difficult choices to protect their loved ones.
Conclusion:
Narco Saints (2022) is a must-watch series for everyone who loves crime dramas. It is a well-crafted drama with excellent cinematography and direction. The characters are well-developed, and the storyline will keep you hooked until the end. Despite the dark themes, the show has moments of hope and beauty that give a more nuanced perspective on life’s complexities. It is a thrilling and thought-provoking show that is worth your time.
