No. 3 (1997)

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Writer Song Neung-Han made his directorial debut with this South Korean crime drama about sharp-witted young gangster Tae-Ju (Han Suk-Kyu) whose bar-hostess wife (Lee Mi-Yun) takes both poetry lessons and love sessions from a local poet. Meanwhile, Tae-Ju realizes he's only No. 3 in the pecking… More Writer Song Neung-Han made his directorial debut with this South Korean crime drama about sharp-witted young gangster Tae-Ju (Han Suk-Kyu) whose bar-hostess wife (Lee Mi-Yun) takes both poetry lessons and love sessions from a local poet. Meanwhile, Tae-Ju realizes he's only No. 3 in the pecking order of his urban gang, a situation that means competing with stupid tough Ashtray (named after his weapon of choice). Resentment re Japanese dominance, police corruption, and other serious themes surface as the industrial hip-hop music leads the storyline toward a conclusion set in the 21st Century. Shown at the 1998 Vancouver Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi