The Thieves

The Thieves

Year: 2012

Runtime: 135 min

Language: Korean

Director: Dong-hun Choi

ActionCrime

A skilled group of thieves comes together to execute a daring heist: stealing the Tear of the Sun, a priceless 318-carat diamond valued at $20 million. Their target is a heavily guarded casino, and as they infiltrate, old rivalries resurface and new alliances are forged. With a mysterious figure known as Macao Park orchestrating events from behind the scenes, the team must contend with both the police and each other to successfully claim the diamond.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Thieves 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!

The Thieves (2012) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The Thieves (2012), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Yenicall, a skilled cat burglar, captivates the owner of Leesung Gallery, seducing him while plotting to lift a rare artifact. She partners with three accomplices: Popie, the cunning leader, Zampano, his resourceful assistant, and Chewingum, a crafty middle-aged con artist. However, their plans quickly spiral into chaos when they encounter a detective, prompting them to flee South Korea for greater security. They decide to conjoin forces for a heist organized by the legendary master thief Macau Park, who holds a history with Popie as his former boss.

As they unite under Macau Park’s guidance, they bring along Pepsee, a recently pardoned safe-cracker. In Hong Kong, Chen, Jonny, and Andrew become part of the crew, collaborating with a talented safe-cracker named Julie. The heist’s target is nothing less than the coveted Tear of the Sun, a massive diamond currently in the possession of Tiffany, the mistress to the intimidating crime lord Wei Hong. The audacious scheme involves stealing the diamond while Tiffany is preoccupied at a Macau casino, only to resell it to Wei Hong for an astounding $20 million. Yet this venture carries fatal risks, especially with Wei Hong’s notorious reputation for merciless reprisals against betrayers.

While planning, the backstory unravels to reveal unexpected twists. It is discovered that Julie has been masquerading as an undercover officer aiming to apprehend Wei Hong. The Chinese and Korean teams harbor distrust towards Macau Park, leading to conflicting agendas. Chen, Jonny, and Andrew plot to disregard the diamond and make off with Tiffany’s cash, while Popie and Pepsee scheme to replace the genuine diamond with a counterfeit.

A pivotal plan for the heist comes together thanks to Tiffany’s unsuspecting step-sister’s assistance. Chen and Chewingum masquerade as a couple to engage Tiffany at the gambling tables while Yenicall and Zampano navigate through her private suite. The others—Popie, Pepsee, and Julie—are tasked with breaking into safes purportedly guarding the diamond. With a tight timeframe of just 10 minutes before police intervention, tensions rise.

As the operation unfolds, romantic sparks ignite between Chen and Chewingum, leading to an unintentional connection amid the heist chaos. Meanwhile, Zampano tries to confess his feelings for Yenicall, but she evades his questions and activates the heist’s plan. Desperation mounts when the reality strikes that neither safe holds the diamond. Amid the confusion, police storm in, leading to a tragic fate for Chen, who is shot, and Chewingum, who meets a grim end in a car collision.

While Johnny manages to evade capture, Yenicall finds an escape route thanks to Zampano’s sacrifice for her safety. In a surprising turn, Macau Park, disguised as a janitor, manages to swipe the diamond amidst the chaos. In the shocking aftermath, Popie, Pepsee, and Andrew are detained, leading to a hair-raising escape when their police van tumbles towards the sea. However, Pepsee remains handcuffed and nearly drowns, only to be rescued by Macau Park.

The remaining crew reunites, and a confrontation with Tiffany’s step-sister reveals details of Macau Park’s diamond exchange location—the Busan Grand Hotel. After distractions in place, they infiltrate Macau Park’s home, where revelations about Popie’s treachery come to light, ultimately disrupting their mission. With distrust brewing, Pepsee withdraws, but Yenicall completes the task, swapping the real diamond for a forgery.

At the high-stakes exchange with Wei Hong, everything comes crashing down as the police raid interrupts the meeting, igniting a tumultuous shootout. Popie tricks Yenicall, seizing the diamond for himself but meets his doom as the escape plan collides with fate. Meanwhile, Pepsee witnesses a dramatic showdown where Macau Park narrowly evades death and Julie, another player, turns the tides by gunning down Wei Hong.

Returning to Korea, Pepsee realizes that Yenicall has gone after yet another potential buyer for the diamond. She discovers a deeply valuable gift from Macau Park—precious gold bars. The story concludes as Pepsee crosses paths with Yenicall’s conquest, only to be notified that Macau Park has claimed the diamond and hints at a reunion soon, setting the stage for an unforgettable lightweight thriller spiced with deceit, love, and revenge.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 19:24

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.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Deception-Fueled Heist Thrillers like The Thieves

High-stakes heist movies where the greatest threat comes from within the crew.If you enjoyed the web of betrayal in 'The Thieves,' discover more movies like it. This collection features tense crime stories where complex heists are complicated by unreliable allies and shocking twists, perfect for fans of clever, action-packed thrillers.

tensedouble-crossingunpredictablecunningparanoidaction-packeddeceitful

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow an ensemble of skilled criminals coming together for a seemingly impossible job. The plot is driven by a complex structure of layered cons, where characters' hidden motives and past rivalries surface, leading to a cascade of betrayals during or after the main event.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared focus on the psychological gameplay within a criminal team. They prioritize a tense, unpredictable atmosphere over straightforward action, creating a cohesive experience for viewers who enjoy intricate plots where no one is safe.

Movies with Bittersweet Crime Endings like The Thieves

Criminal stories where victory is hollow and comes with a heavy price.For viewers who liked the morally complex conclusion of 'The Thieves,' this list gathers similar stories. Find films where the criminal underworld offers no easy wins, blending elements of victory and tragedy for a poignant, thought-provoking finish.

bittersweettensegrittymorally complexaction-packedtragic victory

Narrative Summary

The narrative journey in these movies follows ambitious criminals through high-risk endeavors. While the central goal might be technically achieved, the path is littered with collateral damage—fallen allies, broken trusts, and personal sacrifices—resulting in an ending that feels more like a pyrrhic victory than a clear triumph.

Why These Movies?

This thread unites films that share a specific emotional payoff: a conclusion that refuses to be purely happy or sad. They resonate with audiences seeking crime stories that reflect the messy, ambiguous consequences of a life of crime, balancing thrilling action with emotional gravity.

Unlock the Full Story of The Thieves

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Thieves 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 Thieves is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Thieves Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Thieves with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Thieves Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Thieves

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Thieves

The Thieves Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Thieves 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 Thieves Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Thieves

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Thieves: 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 Thieves

Similar Movies to The Thieves

Discover movies like The Thieves that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.