Cruel City (Hangul: 무정도시; RR: Mujeongdoshi; also known as Heartless City) is a 2013 South Korean television series starring Jung Kyung-ho, Nam Gyu-ri and Lee Jae-yoon. It aired on jTBC from May 27 to July 30, 2013 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 23:00 for 20 episodes.
The noir/crime drama revolves around the love and struggles of undercover agents and members of an infamous drug ring.
When her older sister Lee Kyung-mi is murdered while undercover in the criminal underworld, Yoon Soo-min is driven to pick up where Kyung-mi left off. But in the shadows, there are no rules and no reason; Soo-min falls for the organization's drug kingpin, "The Doctor's Son," who also happens to be the prime suspect in her sister's murder.
Main Cast
Jung Kyung-ho as Jung Shi-hyun ("The Doctor's Son") - Grew up in a red light district/brothel until his mom died from drug-overdose. Then ran away from an orphanage (to Jin-Sook) and eventually became a drug courier for "Uncle" Safari. Shi-hyun is nicknamed "The Doctor's Son" and became the boss of a mid-sized gang. Highly ambitious. He is plotting to take over the position of "Scale," his drug supplier. It is later revealed that he is an undercover police just like Yoon Soo-min.
Lee Jae-yoon as Ji Hyung-min - Hyung-min graduated from the police academy with top scores and gets promoted at a young age. Was studying law to join the Prosecutor's office, but returned to the police force to avenge an undercover officer's death. Now the section chief of a special investigation unit, his goal is to take down "Scale," which leads him to Shi-hyun.
Nam Gyu-ri as Yoon Soo-min - Soo-min grew up in an orphanage with Kyung-mi, and they treat each other like real sisters. When Kyung-mi is killed in the line of duty, Soo-min goes undercover to catch her friend's killer and finish what Kyung-mi started. However, she ends up falling for "The Doctor's Son," the drug lord Kyung-mi was investigating until her untimely death.
Son Chang-min as Min Hong-ki - Director of the police/special investigative unit.
Kim Yoo-mi as Lee Jin-sook - President/CEO for various adult entertainment establishments. Worked the streets at an younger age. Close friend to Shi-hyun's mom. Looked out for Shi-hyun as he was growing up. Along with Soo, they both support and follow Shi-hyun's direction/quest to take over the drug distribution channel.
Choi Moo-sung as Moon Deok-bae ("Safari") - Knew Shi-hyun as a child. Paths did not cross again until he was sent down to Busan to pursue "Doctor's Son." Taught/gave Shi-hyun a switchblade knife when he was younger (this became Shi-hyun's weapon of choice).
Yoon Hyun-min as Kim Hyun-soo - Met Shi-hyun in prison and both worked under "Halibut." At times, hot headed but loyal to a fault.
Go Na-eun as Lee Kyung-mi - An undercover agent. She is Hyung-min's girlfriend and Soo-min's older sister. She grew up with Shi-hyun at the orphanage and is hinted that she is Shi-hyun's love interest, she later on died after being shot in the head by a sniper during an undercover mission to catch Doctor's Son who happened to be Shi-hyun.
Park Soo-young as chief of detective squad
Kil Yong-woo as Ji Man-hee - Attorney general and Hyung-min's father.
Kim Byung-ok as Jeoul ("Scale") - Head of the narcotics ring (drugs, loan sharking, adult entertainment establishments). Leader behind the scenes for "Halibut" and "Meth Kim."
Kim Jung-hak as Ahn Kyung-chan - Prosecutor.
Song Min-ji as Cha Hyo-joo
Reporter.
Jung Soo-young as Oh Jung-yeon
Prosecutor.
Kim Jong-goo as Jo ("Busan") aka "Chairman"
Leader of Busan gang.
Jung Ji-soon as Jo Ha-neul
Son of "Busan."
Park Young-ji as Cha
Lawmaker and Hyo-joo's father.
Jung Moon-sung as Shi-hyun's subordinate
Kim Min-sang as Kim Bbong ("Meth")
Kim Hyo-sun as Eun-soo
Lee Moo-saeng as Detective Kim
Shim Min as Joo-young
Soo-min's friend since kindergarten.
Kim Jae-hwa as Park Eun-ae
The soundtrack digital single "Hurt" was sung by Kim Yong-jin of pop group Bohemian. Its repetition every episode followed the dark noir theme of the series.
It aired in Vietnam on HTV2 from August 4, 2015, under the title Sống trong tội ác.
It aired in Thailand on MONO Plus (in a network of MONO29) from March 5, 2016 to May 8, 2016, under the title Fị rạk meụ̄xng khæ̂n (Thai: ไฟรักเมืองแค้น).
