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Synopsis
In the gritty drama City of Fathers, released in 2009, we follow Kang-soo, a down-and-out street thug navigating the murky underbelly of Busan. A heavy drinker and chronic gambler, Kang-soo's life takes a drastic turn when his estranged teenage son, Jong-chul, is diagnosed with kidney cancer. Faced with the possibility of losing his son, Kang-soo is thrust into a desperate quest for redemption. For the first time, he seeks to embrace the role of a father, pushing against his own self-destructive tendencies in a bid to save Jong-chul's life.
The narrative delves into themes of paternal responsibility, the struggle for redemption, and the complexities of familial bonds. As Kang-soo searches for Jong-chul's biological father, Tae-suk—a ruthless pimp who embodies the very world Kang-soo has been entrenched in—the film explores the stark contrast between two vastly different father figures. Their interactions reveal not only Kang-soo's desperate yearning for connection but also the harsh realities of their environment, where vulnerability is often masked by bravado. With a blend of action and emotional depth, City of Fathers poignantly captures the turmoil of a man wrestling with his past while desperately trying to forge a future for his son—a compelling watch for those drawn to character-driven stories with a gritty edge.