The Outlaws

The Outlaws

Year: 2017

Runtime: 121 mins

Language: Korean

Director: Kang Yun-sung

ActionThrillerCrimeCrime

In Chinatown, a ruthless trio of Chinese gangsters disrupt the established order, terrorizing residents and seizing control of territory. The local gangsters reluctantly join forces with the police, led by the unconventional and formidable Ma Seok-do, to combat the new threat and restore balance. Their plan is to eliminate the mob in one decisive action. The film is inspired by a true story.

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The Outlaws (2017) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The Outlaws (2017), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Ma Suk-Do Don Lee is a seasoned detective in Geumcheon, Geu District, Seoul. He partners with Jeon Il-man Cho Jin-woong to keep the peace as Chinatown becomes a battleground for control between two Chinese-Korean gangs: the Venom Gang led by Ahn Sung-Tae and the Cobra Gang led by Jang-I-Soo Park Ji-hwan. The stakes rise as turf wars spill into every corner of the neighborhood, pulling in shopkeepers, casino owners, and police alike.

Into this volatile landscape strides Jang Chen Yoon Kye-sang, the brutal head of the Chinese loansharking Black Dragon Gang. He moves with his ruthless enforcers Sung-Rak and Yang-Tae to tighten his grip. They kill Sung-Rak Jin Sun-kyu and seize Jang-I-Soo’s casino, a savage blow that provokes a furious response from Jang-I-Soo. The city’s underworld trembles as loyalties shift and old alliances crack under pressure.

Ma and Jeon map out a plan to arrest Jang Chen, pooling intelligence from trusted residents and police colleagues. The conflict intensifies when Jang Chen and Yang-Tae launch a brutal attack on Jang-I-Soo and his men, killing them at Jang-I-Soo’s mother’s birthday party—a cruel reminder of how personal vendettas fuel this war. In a parallel thread, hotelier and CEO Hwang Jo Jae-yun becomes a target; Hwang’s men attempt to strike at Jang Chen in his hotel, but Chen escapes. Later, the shifting power dynamics claim Hwang’s life as Chen exacts revenge after learning of the attempt. The body count climbs, and trust dwindles to what can be documented by the Chinatown residents who risk danger to help.

With the stakes higher than ever, Ma rallies the community to assist in capturing the remaining gang members. The residents begin photographing suspected criminals, feeding crucial evidence back to the police. The operation culminates in mass arrests, including Yang-Tae, and a fragile sense of order begins to take shape. Yet the pursuit is far from over, and the city holds its breath as officers close in on the remaining fugitives.

The pursuit intensifies when Kang Hong-seok spots Jang Chen and gives chase. Chen tries to flee by car, but Ma intervenes by crashing into Chen’s vehicle, buying time for the officers to tighten the net. The fugitive makes it to the airport, but Ma tracks him down in the airport restroom. A fierce hand-to-hand confrontation ends with Ma knocking Chen down and cuffing him, leaving the criminal handcuffed and captured. With the leaders in custody, Ma and his team celebrate a hard-won victory, even as the commissioner hints at another case needing their attention.

In the aftermath, the city of Chinatown breathes a cautious sigh of relief. The streets that once thrummed with danger begin to quiet, yet the memory of the clashes—the casino takeovers, the brutal beatings, and the airport pursuit—lingers as a reminder of the fragile line between order and chaos.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:52

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Gritty Urban Crime Sieges like in The Outlaws

Intense stories of law enforcement battling ruthless invaders in a contained urban space.Explore movies like The Outlaws where a tense turf war erupts in a contained urban setting. These similar crime thrillers feature police and community alliances fighting back against ruthless invaders, leading to a cathartic, action-packed conclusion.

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Stories in this thread typically begin with an established order being violently disrupted by a new, more ruthless criminal element. This invasion forces an uneasy alliance between local figures and determined law enforcement. The narrative builds towards a single, explosive final operation designed to eradicate the threat and restore a fragile peace, often at a significant cost.

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These films are grouped together for their shared high-stakes premise of a community under criminal siege, their fast-paced and tense tone dominated by violent conflict, and their satisfying narrative arc that moves from chaos to a hard-won victory.

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Movies are grouped here based on a specific emotional mix: they are intensely violent and heavy, yet ultimately provide a happy and cathartic conclusion. This combination of high-intensity action with a morally satisfying, straightforward resolution creates a distinct and rewarding viewer experience.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Outlaws

The Outlaws Spoiler-Free Summary

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