Mak-dong (played by HAN Suk-kyu)

He is the youngest of four brothers, and the name Mak-dong conveys his status as the naive childlike member of the family. He goes to Seoul in search of work, but his dream is to eventually have the whole family living together again like in the good old days, supporting themselves perhaps with a family-operated business. While seeking to have his 'dream' realised, he becomes active in BAE Tae-gon's gang. The gang becomes both his family and his ruin. He is of a pure and innocent character, is sensitive and yet has guts, which gets him in initially and then leads him to his untimely end.

Han Suk-kyu

HAN Suk-gyu is one of the most popular and versatile actors in Korea and is known for the humanism he brings to his roles. In the film industry, he is referred to as the "HAN Suk-gyu Phenomenon" because every film he has starred in has been successful including "Shiri" the highest grossing film of all time in Korea. In 1999, to contribute to the development of Korean films, he launched the Mak-dong screenplay competition named after his character in "Green Fish".

Selected Filmography:

2004 - The Scarlet Letter
2003 - Double Agent
1999 - Tell Me Something
1999 - Shiri
1998 - Christmas in August
1997 - No. 3

He is the boss of a Youngdeungpo area gang. He is in self-denial, calling other members of organized crime 'common gangsters' while he struggles in vain for legal and social legitimacy. He becomes the 'big brother' for Mak-dong, 'adopting' him into the gang. One day BAE Tae-gon's old gang boss appears, and years of hard work are threatened.


When all is said and done he is still a mobster that uses Mak-dong's innocence and sense of loyalty to do his dirty work. In a way he is symbolic of Koreans today who practise 'the ends justify the means' in an effort to climb-out of their unfortunate past and towards a better future.

Selected Filmography:

2000 - Virgin Stripped Bare by her Bachelors
1998 - Bedroom and Courtroom
1996 - A Petal
1995 - A Single Spark