Die Bad (2000 Film)
Die Bad (Korean: 죽거나 혹은 나쁘거나; RR: Jukgeona Hokeun Nabbeugeona) is a 2000 South Korean action drama film written and directed by Ryoo Seung-wan. The film is notable for its structure, which is divided into four distinct but thematically linked segments that examine the consequences of violence and the cycle of crime.
Plot Structure
The film is presented in four parts:
- Rumble: A conflict between two groups of teenagers begins during a game of pool and escalates into a fatal confrontation, where Sung-bin kills Hyun-soo, marking the start of his criminal trajectory.
- Nightmare: Seven years later, Sung-bin is released from prison. Struggling to reintegrate into society, he faces rejection from his family and instability in his professional life, eventually returning to a life of crime.
- Modern Man: Suk-hwan, a former associate of Sung-bin, has become a police officer. While on a stakeout, he discovers that his target is linked to his former friend.
- Die Bad: The final segment depicts a violent confrontation between Suk-hwan and Sung-bin, while Sung-bin's gang of youths faces a brutal battle.
Production and Release
Die Bad was released on July 15, 2000, in South Korea. It features a runtime of 98 minutes. The film served as a significant early work for director Ryoo Seung-wan, who also appears in the cast. The film has been featured in various international retrospectives, including the 5th Korean Film Festival in Paris (2010) and the 6th London Korean Film Festival (2011).
Cast
- Ryoo Seung-bum as Sung-bin
- Kim Soo-Hyun
- Park Seong-Bin
- Bae Jung-Shik
- Ki Joo-Bong
- Jung Jae-Young
- Lim Won-Hee
- Ryoo Seung-Wan
- Ahn Kil-Kang
- Park Sung-Il
- Hwang Sun-Hwan as Sesame Head