Coming to theaters across the United States and Canada on Friday, April 25, 2025, is the gripping and morally complex Korean crime thriller, Yadang: The Snitch.
Directed by Hwang Byeong-gug, this gripping thriller is the first Korean film to explore “yadang”—informants working between law enforcement and the criminal underworld. Set amid Korea’s shifting justice system, it offers a timely look at power, survival, and legal gray zones.
The film stars Kang Ha-neul (Squid Game 2), Yoo Hai-jin (Exhuma), and Park Hae-joon (When Life Gives You Tangerines) who all deliver standout performances.
Featuring cinematographer Lee Mo-gae (Exhuma), production designer Lee Mok-won (Train to Busan), costume designer Kwak Jung-ae (Decision to Leave), and stunt coordinator Heo Myeong-haeng (The Roundup franchise).
Before I even go on to tell you about the movie, I wanted to “dissect,” as you would, some of the information I just provided.
Courtesy of Well Go USA
Kang Ha-neul is in Squid Game 2. I am a huge fan of the Squid Game franchise. He also acted in a K-drama series that I recently watched (as in last week!) called Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Reyo. Coincidental? In addition, I saw him in the movie Love Rewind recently, which I thought was a really funny “dramady.”
Cinematographer Lee Mo-gae worked on Exhuma, and actor Yoo Hai-jin acted in the film. I love Exhuma. I’ve seen it a few times. It was a very unexpected film. There is just something about it that I find very enjoyable. It also stars another favorite actor of mine.
Unbeknown at the time I received the screener and information about this film, When Life Gives You Tangerines is the next K-drama series I was planning on watching. I’ve heard really good things about it (it’s on Netflix) and it stars IU, who I think is a very talented actress and singer. So I just watched a series with Kang Ha-neul (who stars in this film) and I’ll next be watching a series that stars the other main actor from this film, Park Hae-joon.
Confused yet? Ha Ha.
Lastly, Train to Busan is one of my all time favorite horror movies – even more so than the classics like The Shining. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve seen it. The production designer on this film also worked on Train to Busan.
I guess you can say I was “destined” to see this movie. Ha Ha.
Now… back to the review.
Lee Kang-soo (Ha-nuel) found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, causing him to get falsely accused of drug possession and sent to prison.
Courtesy of Well Go USA
Prosecutor Koo Gwan-hee (Hai-jin) has found himself pretty much rock bottom as far as his career is going. Only prosecutors who close high publicity and “big time” cases find themselves at the top. That is when it came up with the idea of hiring an informant (aka, snitch) to help get him some inside information in order to bust big time drug rings. That is when he employs Kang-soo.
Thanks to the information Kang-soo is able to provide him, he gets his sentence reduced and is now a free man. At the same time, Gwan-hee is reaping the rewards of a major drug bust.
Seeing as how this is a “win-win” situation, Kang-soo continues to work for Gwan-hee to help him with more drug busts, much to the dismay of narcotics detective Oh Sang Jae (He-joon) who always misses out on the cases and arrests he’s worked hard on.
When Kang-soo finds himself double crossed, he turns to an unlikely person to help him bring down not only a huge drug cartel, but also someone he thought was his friend.
How will it all end? To find out, check out Yadang: The Snitch. Look for it at a theater near you.
I do have to let you know that this film is subtitled. I know that can be a turn off for some people, but not everyone. Me, personally, I watch so many K-dramas, K-horror and K-comedies (as well as Chinese and Japanese), I can read subtitles with no problem. It’s almost like second nature to me at this point.
From the trailer, I thought this film looked pretty good. I was pleasantly surprised at how much more impressive this film was. I LOVE IT! There is so much action, drama and plenty of trying to guess what will happen next. It will keep your attention from start to finish.
Courtesy of Well Go USA
The acting in this film is top notch. Ha-nuel has a knack for comedy (as well as drama). Even though this is serious film for the most part, Ha-nuel did supply plenty of comedic situations, not to mention the fact that he’s oh-so-handsome.
If you love high-octane fight sequences, then you’ll love this film. There is A LOT of action. Normally I’m not big on fight scenes, but if they are done in a way that doesn’t go above and beyond to be very brutal or graphic, I’m okay with it.
The cinematography also helped to add another dimension to this film. Korea is such a beautiful country that it’s hard to think it also has this dark, unground, criminal “life” as well. Most countries do (not just Korea of course).
This film has a run time of 122 minutes and is not yet rated (I would definitely say it’s rated R due to violence, sexual situations and language).
This film was produced by Hive Media Corp and released by Well Go USA Entertainment.
Below is the trailer for your enjoyment.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener in order to review this film. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
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