Sympathy for a Bad Guy

Bad Guy is grotesque, disturbing and makes no excuses. It is the self destructive tale of a man with desires. An obsession with a prim, well-to-do co ed who snubs him upon their first meeting. To prove that she isn't too good for him Han-ki  (played by Cho Jae Hyun) sets a trap and pulls Sun-wha (played by Seo Won) into his depraved surroundings. An underworld filled with gangsters and prostitution. Sun-wha's life in the Red Light District is filled with a heavy sense of hopeless determination, yet she manages to cope with the existence thrust upon her. After running away and suffering a re-abduction, Han-ki takes her to a beach where they witness a woman commit suicide. Sun-wha gather's up the bits of torn photos left behind by the self-destructive woman; only later to find the missing pieces and realized the pictures depict Han-ki and the deceased woman who strongly resembles herself. Upon realizing this, Sun-wha (having been granted her freedom) decides to remain with her captor.


Kim Ki-duk, best known for eccentric and controversial films has a way of presenting disturbing, depraved themes and challenging his audience with not only thinking about the material presented, but also finding the true beauty as well. Ki-duk isn't afraid to present heavily digested themes and bring the often ignored into direct light.