Narco Saints cast , including Ha Jung-woo as Kang In-gu, Hwang Jung-min as Jeon Yo-hwan, Park Hae-soo as Choi Chang-ho, Jo Woo-jin as Byeon Ki-tae, Yoo Yeon-seok as David Julio Park, and Chang Chen as Chen Zhen.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Narco-Saints is a 2022 South Korean crime thriller series that delves into the perilous world of international drug trafficking. Directed and co-written by Yoon Jong-bin, the series features a stellar ensemble cast, including Ha Jung-woo, Hwang Jung-min, Park Hae-soo, Jo Woo-jin, Yoo Yeon-seok, and Chang Chen.
Synopsis: The narrative follows Kang In-gu (played by Ha Jung-woo), a South Korean businessman who becomes entangled in Suriname’s drug underworld. Coerced into collaborating with the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Kang participates in a covert operation to apprehend Jeon Yo-hwan (portrayed by Hwang Jung-min), a Korean drug lord masquerading as a pastor.
Narco Saints Cast
Ha Jung-woo as Kang In-gu
Ha Jung-woo portrays Kang In-gu, a South Korean businessman who becomes entangled in Suriname’s drug underworld. Known for his versatility, Ha has delivered numerous acclaimed performances in both film and television, earning him prestigious awards, including the Best Actor at the 2023 Asian Academy Creative Awards for his role in this series.
Hwang Jung-min as Jeon Yo-hwan
Hwang Jung-min plays Jeon Yo-hwan, a Korean drug lord operating under the guise of a pastor in Suriname. Hwang’s extensive acting career includes a range of diverse roles, and his portrayal of Jeon Yo-hwan earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 2023 Baeksang Arts Awards.
Park Hae-soo as Choi Chang-ho
Park Hae-soo takes on the role of Choi Chang-ho, the head of the National Intelligence Service’s Americas division. Park is renowned for his compelling performances, notably in “Squid Game.” In Narco-Saints, his portrayal of Choi Chang-ho earned him the Best Actor award at the 2023 Asian Academy Creative Awards.
Jo Woo-jin as Byeon Ki-tae
Jo Woo-jin plays Byeon Ki-tae, Jeon Yo-hwan’s loyal right-hand man and a secret agent of the National Intelligence Service. Jo’s performance garnered him the Best Supporting Actor award at both the 2023 Baeksang Arts Awards and the Director’s Cut Awards.
Yoo Yeon-seok as David Julio Park
Yoo Yeon-seok portrays David Julio Park, Jeon Yo-hwan’s consultant lawyer and the strategic mind behind the drug organization. Yoo’s dynamic acting skills have earned him recognition in the industry, and his role in Narco-Saints added to his acclaim.
Chang Chen as Chen Zhen
Chang Chen appears as Chen Zhen, a Chinese gang leader based in Paramaribo, Suriname. Chang is known for his work in both Taiwanese and international cinema, bringing depth to his portrayal of Chen Zhen.
Supporting Cast
Choo Ja-hyun as Park Hye-jin
Choo Ja-hyun portrays Park Hye-jin, the devoted wife of Kang In-gu. Her character is characterized by unwavering support for her husband, even as she harbors doubts about his prolonged absence. Her portrayal adds emotional depth to the narrative, highlighting themes of family loyalty and resilience.
Hyun Bong-sik as Eung-soo
Hyun Bong-sik plays Eung-soo, Kang In-gu’s business partner involved in the skate business venture in Suriname. Eung-soo’s character is pivotal in the initial establishment of the business, and his actions significantly influence the unfolding events.
Lee Bong-ryeon as Deaconess Jeong
Lee Bong-ryeon portrays Deaconess Jeong, a stern church figure allied with Jeon Yo-hwan. Her character plays a crucial role in the religious facade of Jeon Yo-hwan’s operations, adding complexity to the depiction of the intersection between faith and criminal activities.
Kim Min-gwi as Lee Sang-joon
Kim Min-gwi takes on the role of Lee Sang-joon, Jeon Yo-hwan’s loyal butler. His character is integral to the daily operations within Jeon Yo-hwan’s household, offering insights into the internal dynamics of the criminal empire.
Conclusion
Narco-Saints stands out as a gripping and intense crime thriller, blending high-stakes espionage, international intrigue, and character-driven drama. Anchored by a powerful lead performance from Ha Jung-woo and an unforgettable turn by Hwang Jung-min as the villainous pastor-drug lord, the series delivers on both suspense and emotional depth.
The show’s success is not only due to its compelling plot but also the rich ensemble cast. From the core team of intelligence agents played by Park Hae-soo, Jo Woo-jin, and Kim Si-hyeon, to the nuanced supporting characters like Choo Ja-hyun’s resilient wife or Chidi Ajufo’s intimidating mercenary, each actor brings authenticity and gravity to their roles.
Mask Girl Cast & Their Role (2023) Thriller Kdrama
Who plays the lead role in Narco-Saints?
Ha Jung-woo stars as Kang In-gu, an ordinary businessman who becomes involved in an international drug sting operation.
Who is the villain in the series?
Hwang Jung-min plays Jeon Yo-hwan, a charismatic yet sinister drug kingpin posing as a pastor.
Was Park Hae-soo in Narco-Saints?
Yes, Park Hae-soo plays Choi Chang-ho, an agent from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), who enlists Kang In-gu’s help for the covert mission.
Who is the lawyer David Julio Park played by?
Yoo Yeon-seok portrays David Julio Park, a slick Korean-American lawyer who works closely with Jeon Yo-hwan.
Who plays the Chinese gangster Chen Zhen?
Chang Chen, a well-known Taiwanese actor, plays Chen Zhen, a powerful figure in Suriname’s criminal underworld.
Is Jo Woo-jin’s character a villain or a hero?
Woo-jin plays Byeon Ki-tae, who appears to be loyal to Jeon Yo-hwan but has deeper layers that unfold later in the story.
Are there any female leads in the series?
While the main plot centers on male characters, actresses like Choo Ja-hyun (as Kang In-gu’s wife) and Lee Bong-ryeon (as Deaconess Jeong) play pivotal supporting roles.
Is Anupam Tripathi (from Squid Game) in Narco-Saints?
Yes, Anupam Tripathi appears in a supporting role, contributing to the series’ international flavor.
Is this the first time Ha Jung-woo and Hwang Jung-min have worked together?
No, they’ve worked together before in films like The Spy Gone North. Their chemistry and tension on-screen continue to impress fans in Narco-Saints.
Where have I seen these actors before?
Ha Jung-woo – The Chaser, Along with the Gods series
Hwang Jung-min – Veteran, Ode to My Father
Park Hae-soo – Squid Game, Money Heist: Korea
Yoo Yeon-seok – Hospital Playlist, Reply 1994
Chang Chen – Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Dune
Jo Woo-jin – Mr. Sunshine, Kingdom