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.

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

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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

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