A men's film

If melodrama is considered as women's film, gangster will absolutely be considered as men's film.  I don’t want to stereotype the diversified spectatorship, but it seems like male and female have the most different takes on these two genres. Personally, after watching this film, the first thought came into my mind is the question whether Joonsuk actually gives order to kill Dongsu. If the answer is positive, I would automatically assume that their friendship is a total lie. And the repetitive phrase of “nothing to be sorry about between friends” becomes an excuse and a way to legitimize Joonsuk’s betrayal. Yet, my male friend who watched this movie before insists that the death of Dongsu and the confession of Joonsuk in the court are actually the distillation of brotherhood. It confuses me because I don’t think a real friend should ever “stab” me on the back, while it seems very acceptable for my male friend in certain conditions (this film is one of his favorite, maybe that’s why he so buys into this “idealized” brotherhood).

According to Gangster Cinema, Hong Kong and Korean gangster heroes are restrained in the Confucian virtues such as righteousness, loyalty, and filial piety, which is in contrast to Hollywood’s classical gangster heroes who are infused with personal heroism. Therefore, Hong Kong and Korean Gangster films are more likely to depict tragic heroes, and regression backward to those traditional values. In Friend, Joonsuk and Dongsu’s friendship are restrained by their opposite gang memberships. In a gangster world (from my personal understanding), loyalty is the supreme rule above all. Hence, Jonnsuk’s act is perfectly understandable and respected in a gangster world. Despite the fact that, Dongsu, the one who is the most sensitive, pride, determined and seems to connect the least to his childhood buddies, dies from his abnormal decision of going to see Songtaek off, who used to be his rival in love in the case of Jimsook or perhaps Joonsuk.The deviation of Dongsu’s act from his characteristic traits ultimately violates the rule of the gangster world, and Dongsu dies with no regret since he knows that’s the rule of the game since the very beginning.

Despite the fact that I'm pretty upset with Dongsu's death, the ending scene of Joonsuk walking towards the light does neutralize the overall gloomy tone. And it's interesting to see how the director plays irony on the cop by hiding his face under the shades.

（P.S the first K-drama I have ever watched is Jang Donggun's All About Eve )