The core inciting event—the killer stabbing a gangster who subsequently survives—is the primary "true" element the filmmakers utilized to launch the plot.
The partnership between Jang Dong-su (the gangster) and Jung Tae-seok (the cop) is purely a product of creative screenwriting. There is no documented case in modern South Korean history where a mafia boss formally allied with law enforcement to track down a killer, especially one who had already tried to murder him. This dynamic serves a powerful thematic purpose. It allows the film to explore a morally grey world where traditional justice fails. The cop is too reckless to play by the rules, and the gangster is too proud to be a victim. Their alliance is one of convenience and mutual respect born from a common enemy. This narrative device is a classic of crime cinema—the "enemy of my enemy" trope—and while it makes for gripping drama, it has no direct factual counterpart. is the gangster the cop the devil based on true story
This "twist" was created by the filmmakers to explore the moral ambiguity of justice. It asks the audience: Who is more evil? The man who kills for business (the Gangster) or the man who kills for pleasure (the Devil)? Final Verdict The core inciting event—the killer stabbing a gangster
For those unfamiliar with the plot, The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil follows Jang Dong-su (Ma Dong-seok), a powerful crime lord who runs a modest loan-sharking operation. One rainy night, he is deliberately rammed by a car and then stabbed repeatedly by a mysterious, emotionless killer. Miraculously, Jang survives due to his immense physique and willpower. This dynamic serves a powerful thematic purpose
Released in 2019, this neo-noir action thriller captivated audiences with its "enemy of my enemy" premise: a high-ranking mob boss (Ma Dong-seok) teams up with a rogue detective (Kim Mu-yeol) to hunt down a nihilistic serial killer (Kim Sung-kyu).
Ultimately, the truth behind "The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil" is that it is more an effective "inspired by" story than a factual "based on a true story." While the fear, randomness, and brutality of real-life Korean serial killers like Yoo Young-chul are woven into its fabric, the film's central narrative is a fictional creation designed for maximum entertainment. The film powerfully illustrates that in a battle of evils, the most dangerous monster is the one with no conscience at all.
The antagonist, "K," bears a striking resemblance to Yoo Young-chul , often called the "Raincoat Killer". Between 2003 and 2004, Yoo murdered approximately 20 people in Seoul, targeting wealthy elderly individuals and sex workers.