A Gripping Korean Crime Thriller Inspired by True Events
“The Chaser,” a South Korean cinematic masterpiece, draws its chilling narrative from the real-life case of Yoo Young-chul. This film not only clinched the Best Film and Best Actor awards at the 45th Grand Bell Awards but also secured the Best Actor title at the 29th Blue Dragon Film Awards. Furthermore, it garnered nominations for Best Actor and Best Screenplay at the 3rd Asian Film Awards. With a remarkable score of 8.4 on Douban, “The Chaser” stands as a testament to exceptional crime cinema.
Unveiling the Dark Persona: Yoo Young-chul
Yoo Young-chul’s life was marred by poverty and a hereditary battle with epilepsy, leading him down a path of despair. Driven by the need for money, he turned to theft, becoming a frequent resident of juvenile detention centers. The subsequent deaths of his father and brother, coupled with his wife’s decision to divorce him, triggered a profound mental breakdown, birthing an antisocial personality that sought vengeance against affluent elderly individuals. His spree of violence only ceased when a marriage proposal to a massage parlor worker was rejected, redirecting his rage.
The revelation of his crimes came about due to Yoo Young-chul’s repeated calls to the same massage parlor, raising suspicions when the women he requested failed to return. This prompted the owner to alert the police, leading to his capture. Yoo Young-chul confessed to being the perpetrator, detailing his gruesome methods of dismemberment and burial, and even claiming to have consumed the organs of his victims, showcasing a chilling lack of humanity.
A Trail of Terror: The Crimes
Over two distinct periods, Yoo Young-chul murdered approximately 20 call girls and wealthy older adults, setting a grim record for the highest number of victims by a single perpetrator in South Korean criminal history. Despite his apparent cunning in evading detection, his fixation on a single massage parlor remains a puzzling aspect of his case. Did he truly believe their disappearances would go unnoticed?
“The Chaser”: A Cinematic Adaptation
The film “The Chaser” primarily focuses on Yoo Young-chul’s murders of call girls, incorporating a fictionalized account of his escape after being apprehended, adding dramatic flair to the storyline. The tragic fate of the victim, Mi-jin, is particularly heart-wrenching. Having narrowly escaped death, she is recaptured and murdered by the released killer. This event deeply affects not only Mi-jin’s boss and the police but also leaves a lasting impact on the audience.
The Plot Unfolds
Set against the backdrop of Seoul’s bustling streets, where competition among call girls is fierce, the story begins with a series of disappearances from pimp Jung-ho’s roster. Initially, he dismisses these disappearances as the women absconding with his money, but his past as a detective compels him to investigate further.
Jung-ho quickly discovers that all the missing women shared a common link: their last appointment was arranged via a phone call from the number 4885, with the service area being Mangwon-dong. With his team stretched thin, Jung-ho reluctantly sends the feverish Mi-jin to Mangwon-dong. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Jung-ho instructs Mi-jin to send him the address under a false pretense upon arrival.
The killer, Ji Young-min, resides in a luxurious house, temporarily occupied after murdering its owner. Inside, Mi-jin finds herself unable to send a message due to the lack of signal and is quickly subdued and taken to a dismemberment room. Two church members who come looking for her are also killed. When Ji Young-min goes to dispose of the church members’ car, he collides with Jung-ho, who has arrived on the scene.
After a brief exchange, Jung-ho realizes that Ji Young-min is the 4885 caller. He subdues him and takes him to the police station. However, Ji Young-min’s responses during questioning are full of inconsistencies, and the police in Mangwon-dong are slow to act. It’s a common trope in Korean dramas, but one wonders when the police will be portrayed more competently, which would undoubtedly elevate the quality of crime films.
Twists and Turns
Due to legal constraints requiring a warrant for continued detention, Ji Young-min deliberately stalls for time. He cleverly admits to the murders, exaggerating the number of victims, but refuses to disclose the location of the bodies, providing a false burial site and withholding his motive. With incomplete testimony and no bodies found, the prosecutor’s office refuses to issue an arrest warrant and, citing lofty reasons, orders the police to release Ji Young-min and arrest Jung-ho instead.
The turning point occurs when Mi-jin escapes, only to encounter the released Ji Young-min at a convenience store. She ultimately succumbs to his brutality, with her head and hands displayed in a fish tank—a visually disturbing scene that reinforces Ji Young-min’s depravity.
Enraged, Jung-ho locates Ji Young-min’s residence and, upon discovering Mi-jin’s head, unleashes his fury. Lacking the combat skills of Ma Dong-seok, he nearly perishes in his confrontation with the killer. Only the timely arrival of the police prevents him from killing Ji Young-min in his last breath.