The South Korean thriller series “Narco-Saints,” alternately known as “Suriname” and “The Accidental Narco,” ventures into the world of crime, created by Yoon Jong-bin and Kwon Sung-Hui. It delves into the life of Kang In-Gu, a businessman who moves to Suriname to fish but becomes entangled in a dangerous plot involving a drug gang boss. As viewers delve into this gripping show, many wonder: is “Narco-Saints” based on reality? Let’s delve deeper into the origins of this intriguing series.
Is Narco-Saints a True Story?
Absolutely, “Narco-Saints” draws inspiration from a factual incident. The series is rooted in the narrative of a real-life drug kingpin, Jo Bong-Haeing, conceptualized by Yoon Jong-bin and Kwon Sung-Hui. Jo operated his drug empire from Suriname, employing Koreans as couriers to transport cocaine from South America to Europe. Facing allegations of fraud, Jo fled South Korea in 1994, leading to the genesis of this compelling story.
The Drug Lord’s Operations
In the 1990s, Jo allegedly established a conduit for drug supply and smuggling. He orchestrated the transportation of over 48.5 kg of cocaine into European countries between 2004 and 2005, valued at a staggering 160 billion won ($140 million). Exploiting numerous Koreans as smugglers, Jo compensated them with 4-5 million won per trip. However, Jo’s criminal endeavors came to a halt when Brazilian authorities apprehended him in 2009 and subsequently extradited him to South Korea in 2011.
The Series’ Genesis: From Real Events to TV
Co-creator Yoon Jong-bin shed light on the series’ inception during an interview. Initially approached to craft a film on the Suriname drug lord’s saga, Yoon realized the complexity of compressing the narrative into a two-hour movie. Hence, the decision to transform this gripping tale into a six-part television series emerged. Yoon expressed challenges faced in encapsulating the intricate storyline within a limited cinematic duration, emphasizing the need for a longer format to do justice to the real events.
Challenges of Story Adaptation
Yoon Jong-bin reflected on the intricacies of storytelling, stating that while the original story fascinated him, condensing its essence into a concise script posed significant challenges. The press conference revealed the creative struggles encountered in encapsulating the essence of Jo’s tale within the confines of a standard film duration.
Intricacies Unveiled in a Series
“Narco-Saints” is a testament to the complexities of real-life events brought to the small screen. The series, spanning multiple episodes, allows for a detailed exploration of Jo Bong-Haeing’s intricate life, presenting a nuanced depiction of the criminal underworld and its captivating intricacies.
Conclusion
Netflix’s “Narco-Saints” is a testament to real-life events, unveiling the saga of Jo Bong-Haeing and his illicit operations. The series transcends mere entertainment, offering a glimpse into the complexities and challenges of adapting real-life stories into a captivating on-screen narrative.
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