Is The Gangster The Cop The Devil Based On True Story [exclusive] Today

The short answer is: partially. While the film isn't a beat-for-beat recreation of a specific historical case, it is heavily inspired by the real-world climate of South Korean organized crime and serial killings during the early 2000s.

The Real Part: Korea’s Serial Killer Epidemic

The film’s primary inspiration is the prolific serial killer Yoo Young-chul, who terrorized Seoul and surrounding areas in 2003-2004. Known as the “Raincoat Killer” (for wearing a raincoat to avoid blood splatter), Yoo confessed to murdering at least 20 people—mostly wealthy elderly individuals and female masseuses. is the gangster the cop the devil based on true story

Here is a deep dive into the truth behind the grit of The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil. The Reality Behind the Fiction The short answer is: partially

This "twist" was created by the filmmakers to explore the moral ambiguity of justice. It asks the audience: Who is more evil? The man who kills for business (the Gangster) or the man who kills for pleasure (the Devil)? Final Verdict Known as the “Raincoat Killer” (for wearing a

. While the specific trio of characters (a mob boss, a detective, and a serial killer) forming a partnership is a fictionalized cinematic setup, the story draws heavy inspiration from actual serial killings in South Korea during the mid-2000s. The Guardian Real-Life Inspirations The Killer: The film is primarily inspired by Yoo Young-chul

The Devil’s Blueprint: The True Story of Yoo Young-chul

In the real 2004 case, the police were already several steps ahead. When Kim Tae-chon was beating up Yoo Young-chul in the street, police were already investigating a series of murders that Yoo had committed. In fact, Yoo was already on their radar via a separate investigation into stolen golf clubs.