Public Enemy Returns is a
2008 South Korean film directed by
Kang Woo-suk. It is the sequel to
2002's
Public Enemy, and
2005's
Another Public Enemy, also directed by Kang.
2007 was a poor year for South Korean cinema, largely due to the reduced
screen quota from 146 to 73 days as part of the 2007
free trade agreement between the
US and
South Korea. This resulted in production costs rising, a series of box office failures, and the number of Korean films sold overseas dropping. During May 2008, only 7.8% of films shown in South Korea were Korean, the lowest level since records began in
2000.
[Mark Russell, "Korean boxoffice numbers still sliding", The Hollywood Reporter, June 9, 2008. Retrieved on July 6, 2008.] It was hoped that the Korean film industry might rally behind
Public Enemy Returns.
[Peter Martin, "Asian Cinema Scene: Will 'Public Enemy' Save Korea?", Cinematical, June 18, 2008. Retrieved on July 6, 2008.]
Plot
In debt and out of money, Kang Chul-jung is tired of being a cop and looking to retire. But his boss gives him one last case, an investigation of the president of Geo Seong Enterprises, Lee Won Sool, and some recent murders.
