I just started watching a Korean movie titled Yadang: The Snitch and I must say it really got my attention from the beginning. I'm not even done with it yet, but I felt like I should share my early thoughts here in the Korean Hive Village community. This is my first time seeing a Korean movie that really mixes deep emotions with crime and justice like this.
So far, what I’ve seen is that the story is centered around a guy who was wrongfully jailed. I think his name is Kang-dae (I might be wrong but I will confirm when I continue), and from what I understand, he was accused for a crime he didn’t even do. You can actually feel his pain and anger, and honestly the prison scenes got me thinking deep about justice and the way systems can sometimes just fail people.
What makes this one more interesting is that, instead of sitting there and rotting in prison, he gets a chance to get out, only if he becomes a snitch for a prosecutor. That part got me really curious, like what kind of deal is that? The way they make it look is like the prosecutor himself have his own motives. There’s this tension between the law and personal benefit that the movie is slowly exposing.
I'm not usually a big fan of crime movies, but this one is not just about crime. It’s about survival, about trust, about betrayal and power. The cinematography too is not overdone, it’s real and simple. I like how the actors don’t even try too hard. They make you feel like you’re watching real life happen, not just acting.
So far, I noticed that there’s a police detective in the movie who doesn’t seem to be comfortable with what’s going on. He’s trying to connect some dots, and I feel like he will be the one to expose what the prosecutor is really up to. But I won’t rush the story, I want to take my time to finish it.
Honestly, Korean films are different. I don’t know how to explain it, but they just know how to show human emotions in a real way. The pain, the frustration, the little facial expressions, even the silence speaks in this movie. I respect that.
I also love that this movie isn’t trying to force too much action or drama. It’s slow in a good way. The story builds gradually and keeps you thinking. I’ve not gotten to the main twist yet I heard there’s one, but even without that, I’m already enjoying it. The only downside I’d say for now is that some parts can feel a bit slow for people that like fast paced stuff. But I don’t mind, it makes the story sink in more.
Anyway, I’m still watching and I’ll probably come back with a final update when I’m done. If you’re someone that enjoys movies that make you think or you’re into law, politics or real-life based drama, then this one might be for you too.
Let me know if you’ve seen it and what your thoughts are. No spoilers please
Thanks for reading.
