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Crime film 'The Ultimate Duo' to finally be released in theaters after 7-year delay

Published: 09 Mar. 2026, 16:30

From left, actors Yoon Kyung-ho, Cho Han-cheul, Esom, Jung Ga-ram and Bae Seong-woo pose during a press conference for the film “The Ultimate Duo” at CGV's Yongsan branch in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on March 9. [YONHAP]

The crime film “The Ultimate Duo” will finally see the light of day after nearly seven years: It finished production in 2019, only to be derailed by the Covid-19 pandemic and a drunk driving incident involving the lead actor, Bae Seong-woo, in November 2020.

At the press event in Seoul on Monday, Bae offered a public apology for the incident.

“All the hard work put in by the director and crew should not be overshadowed by something that was my fault alone,” he said. “I will do my best to make it right.”

The film follows the story of Jae-hyuk, played by Bae, a once decorated detective exiled to a backwater post after botching a high-profile investigation.

When Jae-hyuk arrests a small-time thief, he quickly realizes that the man is a prime suspect in a murder case in Seoul, which is supposedly already closed, with the alleged killer in custody.

Determined to uncover the truth, he heads to Seoul alongside his partner, the rookie detective Jung-ho, played by Jung Ga-ram. But once there, their investigation hits wall after wall.

Inspired by a real crime in Japan, the film is helmed by Park Cheol-hwan, who directed Disney+'s 2024 sci-fi series “Blood Free.” “The Ultimate Duo” marks Park's feature directorial debut.

“At the belated age of 53, I am making my debut as a director,” he said. He asked audiences to show support for his first feature.

On the seven-year journey from production to release, Park said his approach to shooting a timeless film, avoiding anything too era-specific, helped ensure that the film does not feel outdated.

“Looking back, I am glad that the scenes do not look dated even after all this time,” he said. He added that the crew went through an extensive postproduction process comprising a lot of editing.

“I am satisfied with how that turned out,” he said, expressing excitement about the release.

The director also praised the performances by the cast.

“Rather than following the typical formula, I wanted to put a twist on the genre's conventions, and I am deeply grateful that the actors delivered 120 percent of what I could have hoped for,” he said.

The film also stars Lee So-young, known by her stage name Esom, as an unwavering prosecutor driven by her relentless pursuit of justice, and Yoon Kyung-ho as one of the two suspects in the murder case.

“The Ultimate Duo” is set to release on April 2.

Yonhap