The Tooth and the Nail (2017 Film)
The Tooth and the Nail (Korean: 석조저택 살인사건; RR: Seokjojeotaek Salinsagun) is a 2017 South Korean suspense thriller film. The narrative is set in Gyeongseong—the historical name for Seoul—during the period immediately following the end of Japanese colonial rule. The plot centers on a high-stakes legal confrontation involving a wealthy man accused of murder within a stone mansion.
Plot
The story follows a tense standoff between two men inside a stone mansion, where six gunshots are fired. Following the incident, Nam Do-Jin (played by Kim Ju-Hyeok), the wealthiest man in Gyeongseong, is arrested for the murder of his chauffeur, Choi Seung-Man (played by Ko Soo). Although the victim's body is never recovered, investigators present a trail of evidence, leading to a complex legal battle.
Production
The film is based on the 1955 novel The Tooth and the Nail by American author Bill S. Ballinger. During its development, the project was initially known by the working title Iwa Sontob. Principal photography commenced on October 10, 2015, and concluded on January 19, 2017. The production experienced significant changes during filming; director Jung Sik departed the project due to creative differences with the production company. Kim Whee subsequently took over as director, overseeing screenplay adjustments, supplementary filming, and the final stages of post-production.
Cast
The film features an ensemble cast, including:
- Ko Soo as Choi Seung-Man
- Kim Ju-Hyeok as Nam Do-Jin
- Park Sung-Woong as Song Tae-Suk
- Moon Sung-Geun as Yoon Young-Hwan
- Lim Hwa-Young as Jung Ha-Yeon
