Won-young is at the center of a dog-eat-dog world where the only thing that matters is where you are in the social hierarchy. Won-young revels in his perverse sexual appetites and beats Gyu-nam who is abandoned by society. But for Gyu-nam, Won-young is the only person who even acknowledges him so he remains, as he himself acknowledges, Won-young's faithful dog.
Acting
Choi Moo-seong's terrifying casual cruelty feels lived-in.
Direction
Lee Seo makes power dynamics viscerally stomach-churning.
Director
Lee Seo
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The film critiques Korea's brutal hagwon (cram school) hierarchy and 'kkondae' seniority culture, where abuse masquerades as mentorship.
Lee Seo based Won-young's character on real cram school instructors who weaponized students' desperation for college admission.
KR
