Gangjeok (2006 Film)

Gangjeok (Korean: 강적), released internationally as Les Formidables, is a 2006 South Korean action-drama film directed by Jo Min-ho. The film explores the unlikely alliance between a disillusioned police officer and a young man framed for a crime he did not commit.

Poster for the film Gangjeok — Promotional poster for the film Gangjeok.

Plot

The story follows Ha Sung-woo (Park Joong-hoon), a veteran police inspector struggling with personal tragedy. His wife has left him, and he faces the financial burden of a life-saving liver transplant for his child. His professional life is equally troubled, as he carries the guilt of a failed stakeout that resulted in his partner's death.

The narrative shifts when Lee Soo-hyun (Chun Jung-myung) is arrested for the murder of a police officer—a crime he did not commit. During a transfer to a hospital, Soo-hyun escapes and takes Sung-woo hostage. The situation takes a turn when the suicidal Sung-woo attempts to crash their vehicle into an oncoming train. Soo-hyun intervenes to save them both, leading to an uneasy partnership. The two men agree to work together: Sung-woo helps Soo-hyun clear his name, while Soo-hyun assists Sung-woo in securing the funds necessary for his child's surgery.

Cast

The film features a large ensemble cast, including:

Park Joong-hoon as Ha Sung-woo
Chun Jung-myung as Lee Soo-hyun
Yu In-young as Han Mi-rae
Choi Chang-min as Han Jae-pil
Moon Jeong-hee as a female singer

Production

Gangjeok was directed by Jo Min-ho, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Choi Yeong-hwan. The film was produced by Mirovision and distributed by Show East. It was released in South Korea on June 22, 2006, with a runtime of 118 minutes.

Scene from the film — A scene from the film Gangjeok.