The Prison (2017), directed by Na Hyun, is a taut and gritty South Korean crime thriller that dives deep into the corruption and power struggles hidden behind prison walls. Released in 2017, the film brings together two powerhouse actors, Han Suk-kyu and Kim Rae-won, whose tense chemistry drives the story’s dark momentum.
The film centers on Yoo-geon (played by Kim Rae-won), a former police officer who ends up incarcerated for a hit-and-run case. Inside the prison, he discovers a shocking reality: the inmates, led by a powerful figure named Jung Ik-ho (Han Suk-kyu), practically run the place. The warden and guards turn a blind eye as the prisoners conduct organized crime from within, using the prison as both a headquarters and an alibi.
The concept itself is fascinating and refreshingly cynical, exploring how power operates even in confinement. Jung Ik-ho, played with quiet menace and charisma by Han Suk-kyu, is the perfect embodiment of control and intimidation. In contrast, Kim Rae-won’s Yoo-geon provides the emotional core, a man torn between justice and survival, vengeance and redemption. Their dynamic crackles with intensity, especially as alliances shift and secrets unfold.
Director Na Hyun’s handling of tension and pacing is commendable. The film rarely slows down, keeping viewers hooked through sharp dialogue, brutal fight sequences, and a grim atmosphere that reflects the moral decay within. The cinematography amplifies the claustrophobic mood, dimly lit corridors, cold metal bars, and tight framing create a sense of inescapable confinement, even as the characters manipulate their supposed captivity to their advantage.
However, The Prison isn’t without flaws. The narrative can feel predictable at times, especially for seasoned fans of Korean crime dramas. Some secondary characters lack depth, serving mostly to push the plot rather than enrich it. But what the film lacks in originality, it makes up for in execution and emotional weight.
Ultimately, The Prison stands as a compelling critique of systemic corruption and moral compromise. It’s a story about men who’ve lost faith in justice but still cling to their own code, twisted, but human. The action is raw, the performances are commanding, and the tension never fully releases, even after the credits roll.
I’ve been to so many prisons, but never seen one like this. My kind of place.
Song Yoo-Gun
From the outside this might seem like the lowest rung of life, but it is not. In here too people live and time passes the same. Your life depends on how you make up your mind.
Jung Ik-Ho
To eat fruit you must climb a tree, I can’t stay in the same prison as you any longer.
Prisoner
Your luck depends on who your boss is. Today one of you will lose a fucking eyeball because of him.
Jung Ik-Ho
Give them a little freedom and they show their true colors.
Pilice officer
In here’s no different from the outside, the more desperate you are to survive the more sins you commit.
Jung Ik-Ho
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