Lee Dae-ro Can't Die
Lee Dae-ro Can't Die (Korean: 이대로, 죽을 순 없다), also known by its English title Short Time, is a 2005 South Korean comedy-drama film directed by Lee Yeong-Eun. The film explores themes of redemption and fatherhood through the lens of a cynical, corrupt police officer.
Plot
The story follows Lee Dae-ro, a detective in the violent crimes division who is widely perceived as a hero by his young daughter, Hyun-ji. In reality, Dae-ro is a selfish and corrupt officer who prioritizes bribes and personal comfort over his professional duties, often avoiding dangerous situations. His life changes abruptly when, during a pursuit of a suspect, he collapses and is diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor, with doctors estimating he has only three months to live. Desperate to ensure his daughter's financial security, Dae-ro concocts a plan to stage his own death as an accident, hoping to trigger a substantial insurance payout for her.
Cast
The film features an ensemble cast of prominent South Korean actors:
- Lee Beom-Soo as Lee Dae-ro
- Choi Sung-Guk as Detective Cha Jin-chul
- Son Hyun-Joo as Detective Kang Jong-tae
- Byeon Ju-Yeon as Lee Hyun-ji
- Kang Sung-Yeon as Kim Young-sook
Production
The film was released in South Korea on August 18, 2005. It has a total runtime of 106 minutes. The screenplay was written by Hwang Jo-Yoon, and the project was directed by Lee Yeong-Eun.