---
title: "The Drug King"
year: 2018
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/the-drug-king-2018"
media_type: "movie"
tmdb_id: 497370
imdb_id: "tt6914542"
status: "Released"
runtime_minutes: 139
community_rating: 6.3
vote_count: 175
content_rating: "Unrated"
---

# The Drug King (2018) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/the-drug-king-2018

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

The Drug King is a 2018 South Korean crime drama directed by Woo Min-ho that chronicles the life of Lee Doo-sam. Set in 1970s Busan, the narrative follows Lee's transition from a minor smuggler to a powerful drug lord who maintains a facade as a respected community leader while operating an illicit empire.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "A small-time smuggler rises to become an infamous drug lord in 1970s South Korea."

### Why Watch
- Features a central performance by Song Kang-ho
- Explores the complex double life of a criminal mastermind
- Provides a detailed look at the 1970s Busan underworld

### Caveats & Content Note
- The film contains intense violence and profanity that may be unsuitable for some viewers.
- Tone & Suitability: The film is rated 18+ for its depiction of violence and profanity, maintaining a serious and dark tone.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: #crime-drama, #1970s-period-piece, #drug-trafficking, #organized-crime, #corruption, #rise-and-fall-saga

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads | None | None |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads | None | None |
| **Canada (CA)** | Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads | None | None |
| **Australia (AU)** | Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads | None | None |

## Creative Credits

- **Directed by**: Woo Min-ho
- **Networks / Studios**: Hive Media Corp, Showbox

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Song Kang-ho** as *Lee Doo-sam*
- **Cho Jung-seok** as *Kim In-goo*
- **Bae Doona** as *Kim Jeong-ah*
- **Kim So-jin** as *Seong Sook-kyeong*
- **Kim Dae-myung** as *Lee Doo-hwan*
- **Lee Sung-min** as *Seo Sang-hoon*
- **Lee Hee-jun** as *Choi Jin-pil*
- **Jo Woo-jin** as *Jo Seong-gang*
- **Yoon Je-moon** as *Kim Soon-pyeong*
- **Song Young-chang** as *UN Ambassador*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Where can I stream The Drug King?
Information regarding current streaming availability is not provided in the source material.

### Q: Is The Drug King worth watching?
The film is a crime drama starring Song Kang-ho that explores the underworld of 1970s South Korea.

### Q: What is the runtime of the film?
The Drug King has a duration of 2 hours and 19 minutes.

### Q: Is this a television series?
No, it is a feature-length film released in 2018.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [The Drug King — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/497370)
- [The Drug King - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Drug_King)
- [The Drug King (2018) - Cast & Crew — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/497370/cast)
- [The Drug King (2018) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6914542/)
- [The Drug King (2018)](https://mydramalist.com/)
- [The Drug King (2018) directed by Woo Min-ho • Reviews, film + cast • Letterboxd](https://letterboxd.com/)

---
*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*