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.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The City of Violence yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – The City of Violence (2006)

Trace every key event in The City of Violence (2006) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Wang-jae's fatal chase

Wang-jae chases a gang of punks into an alley and is fatally stabbed, ending his life in a brutal confrontation. The scene establishes the violence that will haunt his friends for years to come.

alley
2

Funeral and reunion after nearly 20 years

Four childhood friends reunite at Wang-jae's funeral after nearly two decades. Tae-su is now a Seoul detective, Pil-ho runs his brother-in-law's business, Seok-hwan works as a debt collector, and Dong-hwan is a maths professor. After the service, Tae-su resolves to start investigating within a week before returning to his job.

within a week Wang-jae's funeral
3

Seok-hwan's vow to seek vengeance

Seok-hwan decides to find and kill Wang-jae's murderers. He commits to taking action and tracking down those responsible, pulling the others into a shared pursuit as the truth begins to surface.

4

Tae-su attacked; alliance formed

Tae-su is ambushed by youth gangs during his investigation, barely escaping with his life. Seok-hwan arrives unexpectedly, and the two decide to work together against the killers.

city streets
5

Revelation: murder not random

The pair hunt the gangs and uncover that Wang-jae's death was a planned murder, not a random attack. The investigation points toward Dong-hwan, who reveals that Pil-ho orchestrated the plot after Wang-jae opposed a tourist district plan.

city
6

Witness agrees to testify

A young murderer involved in the case agrees to testify against Pil-ho after others try to silence him.

7

Killer set ablaze

A killer is doused with gasoline and set on fire as a brutal attempt to erase a witness. The act underscores Pil-ho's reach and the brutality of the pursuit.

8

Pil-ho's ambush targets Tae-su and family

Pil-ho brutally assaults Tae-su and also targets Seok-hwan, Dong-hwan, and their mother in a separate attempt to eliminate witnesses and rivals. Seok-hwan survives the attack.

city streets
9

Post-funeral plan: uncover Pil-ho's whereabouts

After the funerals of Dong-hwan and their mother, Seok-hwan and Wang-jae's widow leave the house and encounter Tae-su outside. Tae-su persuades the widow to reveal Pil-ho's whereabouts.

funeral house / outside
10

Attack on Pil-ho's fortress

Tae-su and Seok-hwan storm Pil-ho's fortress, fighting their way through swarms of armed cooks until they reach the banquet room.

Pil-ho's fortress, banquet room
11

Pil-ho kills the Seoul president

Pil-ho assassinate the Seoul president, triggering guests to flee the premises.

fortress
12

Final showdown

Tae-su and Seok-hwan confront Pil-ho along with his four elite guards. After a brutal struggle, Tae-su is stabbed by Pil-ho, and Seok-hwan finishes Pil-ho with a katana as Tae-su bleeds to death.

banquet room / fortress
13

Aftermath and Seok-hwan's reflection

With Tae-su dead, Seok-hwan surveys the carnage and exhales a heavy sigh, left to reckon with the cost of their vengeance.

aftermath fortress

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:30

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of The City of Violence

Don't stop at just watching — explore The City of Violence in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The City of Violence is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The City of Violence Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The City of Violence, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The City of Violence Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The City of Violence

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The City of Violence. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The City of Violence

The City of Violence Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The City of Violence that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The City of Violence Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The City of Violence

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The City of Violence: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The City of Violence

Explore More About Movie The City of Violence

The City of Violence (2006) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The City of Violence (2006) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The City of Violence (2006) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow