The City of Violence

The City of Violence

Year: 2006

Runtime: 92 mins

Language: Korean

CrimeThrillerAction

Detective Tae-su, a veteran of organized‑crime battles, returns to his hometown for his high‑school friend Wang‑jae’s funeral. He reunites with old classmates Pil‑ho, Dong‑hwan and Seok‑hwan, and they reminisce. Unconvinced by the official cause, Tae‑su and Seok‑hwan investigate separately, uncovering a corrupt land‑development scheme run by Pil‑ho.

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Timeline & Setting – The City of Violence (2006)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The City of Violence (2006). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Two decades pass between the protagonists' youth and their adult lives, shaping loyalties and grievances. The investigation unfolds in a contemporary setting, anchored by a one-week window after the funeral. The pace accelerates as past secrets resurface and the city becomes a battleground.

Location

Seoul, South Korea

The story unfolds in a gritty urban Korean city where former friends drift into crime, policing, and business. The city is the backdrop for gang conflicts, a failed plan to turn a city into a tourist district, and a tense funeral that rekindles old loyalties. It’s a place where shadows of the past collide with present-day power struggles.

🌆 Urban 💀 Crime 🎭 Drama

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:33

Main Characters – The City of Violence (2006)

Meet the key characters of The City of Violence (2006), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Wang-jae (ex-gangster)

A once-feared gang leader whose murder sets the reunion in motion. His death exposes the fragility of old bonds and the way violence binds the group together even after years apart.

🗡️ Antihero 🧭 Loyalty 💔 Tragedy

Tae-su (Seoul detective)

A pragmatic detective returning to his hometown to solve the murder. He questions the loyalty of his former friends and acts as a catalyst for the investigation, driving the action forward.

🕵️ Detective 🧭 Loyalty 🧩 Investigation

Pil-ho

A power-hungry figure who masterminds the murder to further his control over the city’s fate. His ruthlessness and manipulation reveal how ambition corrupts friendships and communities.

🏢 Power 🧪 Corruption 🧭 Manipulation

Seok-hwan

Tae-su’s ally and older brother figure who pursues the killers with a volatile mix of loyalty and stubborn resolve. His actions reflect the difficult balance between family ties and justice.

💪 Officer 🕊️ Vengeance 🧭 Family

Dong-hwan

A maths professor with a hidden darkness who reveals Pil-ho’s plan and connects the past with the present. His intellect and quiet demeanor mask a willingness to fight for family.

🧠 Intellect 🧭 Family 🗡️ Conflict

Jang Mi-Ran (Wang-jae's widow)

The widow of Wang-jae, embodying grief while quietly shaping the pursuit of truth. Her presence underlines the personal cost of violence and the drive to uncover the truth.

💔 Grief 🧭 Resilience 🕊️ Justice

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:33

Major Themes – The City of Violence (2006)

Explore the central themes of The City of Violence (2006), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗡️ Revenge

The murder of Wang-jae triggers a web of vendetta among the old friends. The pursuit of vengeance exposes how loyalties fray under pressure and how violence can spiral beyond a single act.

🔎 Investigation

Tae-su and Seok-hwan team up to uncover the truth behind the murder. The case reveals corrupt motives, hidden agendas, and the way a city’s power structure hides dark secrets.

🏙️ City Corruption

Pil-ho's plan to turn the city into a tourist district shows how economic development can be a cover for crime and manipulation. The investigation uncovers a network of influence that extends into business and politics.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:33

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The City of Violence Summary

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The City of Violence Summary

The City of Violence Timeline

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The City of Violence Timeline

The City of Violence Spoiler-Free Summary

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