Kang Ho-sung is one of South Korea’s most notorious—yet lesser-known—serial killers. Between 2005 and 2008, he murdered at least nine people, though some investigators believe the number could be higher. His modus operandi was simple: he would deliberately cause minor traffic accidents, and when the victim got out to argue or exchange insurance information, he would stab them to death with a custom-made knife.
The film’s main antagonist, Kang Kyung-ho (referred to as "The Devil" and played by Kim Sung-kyu), does not represent one single historical figure. Instead, the director synthesized traits from South Korea's most notorious mid-2000s serial killers. 1. Yoo Young-chul (The Raincoat Killer)
The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil is not a documentary or a strict biographical account of a specific crime. Instead, it is a masterfully crafted piece of historical fiction. It anchors its terror in the very real, very frightening reality of South Korea's mid-2000s serial killer epidemic and the specific vehicle-bumping tactics used by real predators.
The character "K" is widely believed to be inspired by Yoo Young-chul , known as the "Raincoat Killer." Yoo murdered at least 20 people between 2003 and 2004. According to discussions on Reddit , the killer's habit of staging car accidents to lure victims mirrors real criminal tactics from that era. is the gangster the cop the devil based on true story
But one question lingers after the credits roll:
While the show is not a completely accurate retelling of true events, it's rooted in the real-life stories of these individuals. The creators have stated that they took inspiration from various sources, including news articles, books, and interviews, to craft the narrative.
While some of the gritty street violence in the movie reflects the atmosphere of early 2000s Seoul gang activity, the core partnership—a crime boss and a detective—is a dramatization of the intense, desperate efforts to curb random crime. The "Devil" — Kang Kyung-ho Kang Ho-sung is one of South Korea’s most
The "Devil" of the title, the unassuming car repairman and killer K, is where the film’s claim to "true story" elements firmly resides. The character is explicitly and chillingly modeled on , one of South Korea’s most prolific and psychopathic serial killers. Active in 2003-2004, Yoo was a sadistic predator who targeted wealthy elderly people and, later, young female massage parlor workers and prostitutes. His methods were brutal: bludgeoning with a hammer and stabbing.
The movie is set in 2005 , a period when South Korea was gripped by several high-profile serial murder cases.
The real-life killers who inspired this character were just as ruthless, but they were eventually caught through meticulous forensic police work and public tips—not a joint manhunt with the mafia. Jeong Nam-gyu, for instance, profile-matched a deeply disturbed individual who admitted he killed simply because the act gave him pleasure. 2. The Gangster (The Mob Boss Survival) The film’s main antagonist, Kang Kyung-ho (referred to
Overall, "The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil" is a gripping and intense thriller that explores the dark side of human nature. While some artistic liberties were taken, the film's core is rooted in a true story, making it a fascinating watch for fans of crime dramas and true crime enthusiasts.
wants the killer to secure a promotion and satisfy justice.