Narco-Saints Story:-
Narco-Saints falls into the same predictable pattern as many other shows centered around drugs, guns, and money, becoming formulaic in its approach despite its intriguing premise and talented cast. Despite being based on a true story, the series fails to break new ground and relies heavily on the familiar tropes of the genre.
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 9 September 2022 |
| Language | Korean |
| Genre | Thriller |
| Episodes | 6 |
| Creator | Netflix |
| Cast | Ha Jung-woo, Hwang Jung-min, Park Hae-soo, Jo Woo-jin, Yoo Yeon-seok |
| Director | Yoon Jong-bin |
| Writer | Yoon Jong-bin, Kwon Sung-hui |
| Producer | Myung Chan Kang |
| Production | Moonlight Film, Perfect Storm Film |
| Certificate | 16+ |
The story revolves around Kang In-gu, portrayed by Ha Jung-woo, a discontented businessman who relocates from South Korea to Suriname with his best friend to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors. In Suriname, he encounters Chen Jin, played by Chang Chen, a Chinese gangster who extorts exorbitant sums from In-gu under threat of violence. However, In-gu finds an unlikely ally in Pastor Jeon Yo-hwan, portrayed by Hwang Jung-min, who manages to persuade Chen Jin to cease his threats. Yet, In-gu’s fortunes take a turn for the worse when he is arrested for cocaine found in his shipments.
In prison, In-gu is approached by Choi Chang-ho, portrayed by Park Hae-soo, the leader of the US branch of the National Intelligence Service. Choi reveals that Pastor Jeon has been involved in a clandestine drug-trafficking operation for nearly two decades. He coerces In-gu into collaborating with Jeon to expand the drug ring into the US, with the NIS planning to apprehend Jeon once he crosses into American territory.
While the male characters in Narco-Saints are portrayed with depth and complexity, the same cannot be said for the female characters, who are relegated to stereotypical roles with limited impact on the storyline. From the anxious wife to the competent team member and the seductive accomplice, these female characters serve as mere tropes rather than fully developed individuals.
Narco-Saints offers compelling performances from its male leads but falls short in its portrayal of female characters, relying too heavily on clichés and failing to offer them meaningful roles within the narrative.
On the contrary, the three male leads seize ample opportunities to showcase their acting prowess, particularly Ha Jung-woo in the role of Kang In-gu. Transitioning from obscurity to a fledgling businessman, then navigating the treacherous waters of foreign trade as a novice, and ultimately assuming the role of a double-agent, Ha deftly embodies Kang’s resilience and vulnerability. In a series prone to predictability, Ha emerges as the unexpected standout: Kang In-gu may find himself outmatched, but he adeptly leverages facets of his personality to extricate himself from perilous predicaments. Portraying Kang, Ha oscillates between wit, helplessness, and desperation, all while bearing the weight of his perilous mission.
As Pastor Jeon, Hwang Jung-min exudes an unsettling aura of unassuming menace, seamlessly transitioning between his dual personas. Employing Biblical rhetoric to elucidate the drug trade, he likens meth to “Satan’s phlegm” and extols cocaine as “a divine blessing,” evoking a sense of self-appointed deity over these realms.
Rounding out the trio is Park Hae-soo’s portrayal of Choi Chang-ho, the calculated NIS agent determined to bring Pastor Jeon to justice, even if it means blindsiding his allies in the process. Building on his previous success in Squid Game, Park imbues the seemingly upright Choi with a calculated cunning that leaves viewers questioning his allegiances.
As an unwitting civilian thrust into an international cat-and-mouse game, Kang remains perpetually on the brink of peril, despite his quick thinking and silver tongue. Yet, despite the tension inherent in his predicament, Narco-Saints fails to deliver the promised intensity. With plot twists telegraphed well in advance and stakes that never quite reach a crescendo, the series falls short of its potential. Ultimately, Narco-Saints offers little more than a single viewing experience at best, and disappointment at worst.
Narco-Saints is now streaming on Netflix.
