"The freshness of the story was what drew me in the most." – (Yoo Hae-jin)
Broker (Korean title: Yadang) takes its name from the underground figures who orchestrate drug deals—a familiar yet endlessly intriguing crime film theme. At first, even the cast wondered if the film would be too predictable, but after reading the script, they all agreed: "This is something new."
Unlike the usual dark and gritty tone of drug-related films, Broker takes a rhythmic and exhilarating approach, keeping audiences on edge from start to finish.
Director Hwang Byung-guk explained:
💬 "I wanted to maintain the gravity of the drug issue while making the film so immersive that viewers wouldn't have time to breathe. And in the end, I wanted to deliver a sense of catharsis."
On March 13, the production team held a press conference at Megabox COEX in Seoul, featuring Kang Ha-neul, Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-joon, Ryu Kyung-soo, and Chae Won-bin.
The atmosphere was just as energetic as the film itself. The actors stood up and greeted the press with booming voices, mirroring the intensity of their performances.
🔥 A Crime Thriller with a Unique Edge
Broker is a crime-action film centered around the hidden power players behind the drug trade. It follows:
🔹 A ruthless prosecutor aiming to climb the ladder of success
🔹 A determined detective willing to risk everything to take down the drug syndicate
🔹 A shadowy broker who operates in the gray areas between criminals and law enforcement
The story was inspired by real events. Director Hwang Byung-guk shared:
💬 "In 2021, I read a news article about drug offenders secretly exchanging information with the police every morning. It was a legal gray area—both seemingly legal and illegal. That's where the concept for the film began."
🎭 Meet the Characters
🔸 Kang Ha-neul as Lee Kang-soo – The Broker
Kang Ha-neul plays Lee Kang-soo, the mastermind who brokers deals between drug traffickers and law enforcement, profiting off both sides.
🗣 Kang Ha-neul shared:
💬 "The script was incredibly well-structured. With every page I turned, I became more curious about what would happen next. It's the kind of story that pulls you in."
His character is not driven by justice but by ambition, making him difficult to classify as purely good or evil.
👔 His look reflects his confidence:
Kang-soo wears red-tinted sunglasses, flashy watches, and bold-colored shoes to symbolize his dominance in the underworld.
💬 "Wearing red accessories made me feel even more powerful in character," he said.
His journey is not about righteousness—instead, the film explores how an ambitious man fights through obstacles to achieve his goals, making his moral ambiguity even more intriguing.
🔸 Yoo Hae-jin as Prosecutor Koo Kwan-hee – The Ambitious Strategist
Yoo Hae-jin plays Prosecutor Koo Kwan-hee, a calculating figure who secretly collaborates with the broker to advance his career.
🗣 Yoo Hae-jin commented:
💬 "At first, I thought the movie might be too conventional, but I was wrong. The idea of the 'Broker' itself fascinated me. The key challenge was deciding how much of Kwan-hee's internal ambition should be revealed."
Unlike the typical power-hungry villain, he is subtly manipulative, keeping his true motives well-hidden beneath a composed exterior.
🔸 Park Hae-joon as Oh Sang-jae – The Relentless Detective
Park Hae-joon plays Oh Sang-jae, a relentless detective known for his extreme persistence.
👮🏻♂️ His nickname?"The Jade Emperor" (Okhwang Sang-jae), a reference to his unyielding pursuit of justice.
🔎 Director Hwang shared:
💬 "Sang-jae was inspired by a real detective from Seoul's Gangdong Police Station. He's the kind of cop who wears flamboyant patterned outfits, almost like a drug lord himself."
💥 Park Hae-joon's intense action scenes pushed him to his limits.
💬 "I first met the director while working on Seoul's Spring. We talked a lot about Broker, and I realized just how much untapped material there is in the world of drug investigations. If this film does well, I'd love to see a sequel or even a trilogy."
⚖️ Three Men, Three Clashing Agendas
With three major players—a broker, a prosecutor, and a detective—each chasing different objectives, the film crafts a tense three-way conflict.
🎬 Hwang Byung-guk's Directing Style:
- Fast-paced dialogue to heighten tension
- Tightly choreographed action to create urgency
- An immersive approach to make audiences feel like they're witnessing real-life drug investigations
💬 "The key was rhythm and speed. I asked the actors to deliver their lines quickly and with a strong sense of urgency. I also wanted them to make their motivations feel multidimensional."
👀 Kang Ha-neul praised Hwang's meticulous directing:
💬 "I learned just how much research and effort goes into crafting a great script. No matter what scene we were filming, the director always had the best answers to any question."
🔍 What to Look Forward To
🎥 A fast-paced, high-energy crime thriller
⚡ A gripping story that keeps you guessing until the end
🔥 Explosive performances from a star-studded cast
💬 Director Hwang's promise to audiences:
"I aimed to capture the realism of drug investigations while keeping the pace exciting. Expect a thrilling ride full of twists, action, and ultimate satisfaction."
💬 Kang Ha-neul added:
"I hope the audience feels the thrill of Kang-soo's journey—his ambition, his struggles, and the satisfaction of overcoming obstacles."
🎬 Release Date: April 23
With its unique storytelling, compelling characters, and intense action, Broker is set to be a game-changer in the crime thriller genre.
