All Bark No Bite (2012 Film)

All Bark No Bite (Korean: 개들의 전쟁; RR: Gaedelui Junjaeng) is a 2012 South Korean gangster drama film directed and written by Jo Byung-Ok. The film follows a group of young men in a small city in Gyeonggi Province who maintain control over their local area until the return of a former leader.

Promotional poster for All Bark No Bite — Promotional poster for the film All Bark No Bite.

Plot

The narrative centers on a gang led by Sang-Keun (Kim Moo-Yul) that operates within a small city in Gyeonggi Province. The group is accustomed to their status and influence in the region. Their dynamic is challenged during the autumn when Se-Il, a former leader whom the local thugs fear, returns to the city accompanied by an associate, creating tension and the threat of conflict.

Cast

The film features an ensemble cast including:

Kim Moo-Yul as Sang-Keun
Jin Sun-Kyu as Choong-Mo
Seo Dong-Gab as Se-Il
Kim Hyun-Jung as Yong-Mi
Jo Min-Ho as Ik-Soo
Tak Teu-In as Ki-Hwa
Kim Gwang-Sub as Jae-Pil
Kim Yong-Woon as Gwang-Jo
Yoo Byung-Sun as Man-Soo
Park Jin-A as Soo-Jung
Kim Dae-Myung

Kim Moo-Yul as Sang-Keun — Kim Moo-Yul portrays the gang leader Sang-Keun.

Jin Sun-Kyu as Choong-Mo — Jin Sun-Kyu portrays Choong-Mo.

Seo Dong-Gab as Se-Il — Seo Dong-Gab portrays the returning figure Se-Il.

Production and Release

The film was produced by Ko Young-Joon, with cinematography by Kim Byoung-Jung. It held its world premiere on April 27, 2012, at the 13th Jeonju International Film Festival as part of the Korean Cinema Showcase. The film received a general theatrical release in South Korea on November 22, 2012, distributed by Lotte Entertainment. It also screened at the 8th Korean Film Festival in Paris in 2013.

Scene from All Bark No Bite — A scene from the film All Bark No Bite.