
Believer
2018

Representation Score
Fair
2018
TV-MADirector
Woo Min-ho
Runtime
139 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetNew Showbiz Analysis
The Drug King is a period crime drama that excels in providing a localized and culturally specific perspective. By focusing on a South Korean historical context, it offers a non-Western viewpoint that challenges traditional cinematic norms. The film's strength lies in its intricate portrayal of how corruption and socioeconomic constraints shape individual morality. However, the film is notably narrow in its social representation. The narrative is dominated by male characters, relegating women to secondary or domestic roles. It also lacks any meaningful inclusion of LGBTQ+ identities or characters with disabilities, adhering to the traditional social structures of its 1970s setting.
Category Breakdown
The film focuses on hyper-masculine criminal hierarchies and does not include any non-straight or non-cisgender identities or stories that address heteronormativity.
Power structures in the film are heavily male-dominated. Women primarily play supporting roles, serving as romantic interests rather than active participants in the central power struggles.
The film features a predominantly non-Western cast set in Busan, offering a deep look into a specific regional context and moving away from Western-centric storytelling.
The narrative critiques traditional institutions and the intersection of state authority and crime. It challenges singular moralities by framing the protagonist's actions as responses to broader societal issues.
There is no significant focus on neurodivergence or physical disabilities. Characters are defined by physical strength or criminal intelligence rather than lived experiences of disability.
Present on Screen
Limited or Absent
Official Synopsis
Busan, South Korea, 1970s. Lee Doo-sam is a small-time smuggler. After helping a drug gang to smuggle meth, he falls into the dark crime world. Quick-witted and full of ambition, he eventually takes over the drug underworld and starts to lead a double life: a good community leader during the day but an infamous drug lord during the night.

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