Low Life (2004 Film)
Low Life (Korean: 하류인생; RR: Haryu Insaeng) is a 2004 South Korean drama film directed by Im Kwon-taek. The film explores the life of Choi Tae-woong, a man who navigates the volatile criminal underworld and the shifting political climate of South Korea from the 1950s through the 1970s.
Plot Summary
The narrative follows Choi Tae-woong, who enters the world of organized crime after a series of personal conflicts. Following a violent encounter, he is taken in by the family of Park Il-won, a man running for a seat in the National Assembly. Tae-woong eventually establishes himself within the Myongdong gang, a group deeply entangled in the political turbulence of the era.
As the political landscape shifts—marked by events such as the April 19 Revolution and the May 16 military coup—Tae-woong attempts to transition into legitimate work, including a brief and unsuccessful stint as a film producer. Facing financial hardship, he returns to the criminal world, working as a broker for illegal operations involving the U.S. Army and local construction firms. Throughout the film, Tae-woong's personal trajectory is set against the backdrop of South Korea's rapid modernization and political upheaval.
Production
Low Life was directed by Im Kwon-taek, a prominent figure in South Korean cinema. The film was released on May 21, 2004, and has a runtime of 105 minutes. It features a large ensemble cast, with Cho Seung-woo in the lead role of Choi Tae-woong and Kim Gyu-ri as Park Hye-ok.
Cast
- Cho Seung-woo as Choi Tae-woong
- Kim Gyu-ri as Park Hye-ok
- Kim Hak-joon as Oh Sang-pil
- Yu Ha-jun as Park Seung-mun
- Kim Bo-yeon
- Kim Jung-tae
- Lee Jae-ryong
- Lee Hye-young
- Moon Jeong-hee