15/41

Park Sun-woo and Seo Do-cheol, a veteran of the Violent Crimes Investigation Unit, pursue a serial killer who rocks their world. Follow The Veteran (2015). The Veteran is an action-comedy that pits seasoned detective Seo Do-cheol against Jo Tae-oh, a young and arrogant chaebol heir involved in various criminal activities. The film is packed with fast-paced action scenes, but what sets it apart is its humor and clever handling of social commentary on the corruption of the wealthy. Hwang Jung-min’s portrayal of the unstoppable detective is fantastic, bringing intensity and humor to the character. The hand-to-hand combat and chase scenes are energetic and draw the audience in. What makes The Veteran especially fun is the tension between Seo and Joe. Seo represents justice and courage, while Joe embodies the entitled, untouchable elite who think they can get away with anything. The film is a thrill ride filled with great fight choreography, while subtly criticizing the power imbalance in society. The action and moral message combine to make it one of the standout Korean action films of the decade.

Karate Legends 2025