The Worst of Evil Review (Episodes 1-3): The Worst of Evil has finally released its first three episodes after much anticipation for the gritty crime-thriller. Starring Ji Chang-wook, Wi Ha-joon and Im Se-mi in lead roles, this Disney+ series (최악의 악) is directed by Han Dong-wook and written by Jang Min-suk. The series is expected to have 12 episodes, and this week’s episodes have a runtime of around 50 minutes.

Chang-wook was last seen in the 2022 drama If You Wish Upon Me as Yoon Gyeo-rye; Ha-joon was last seen in 2022’s Little Women as Choi Do-il (alongside Kim Go-eun, Nam Ji-hyun, Park Ji-hu) and Se-mi starred in 2022’s The Empire as SBC Reporter Yoon Eun-Mi.

– The Worst of Evil Recap Contains Major Spoilers –

The Worst of Evil Episodes 1-3 Recap

The Worst of Evil Episode 1 starts with a horrifying and bloody fight sequence among a whole host of people, including Jun-mo (Ji Chang-wook), Gi-cheul (Wi Ha-joon) and Eui-jung (Im Se-mi). We then jump to 2 years ago to 1994 in Seoul. Eui-jung just got a promotion, and she and her husband, Jun-mo, have dinner with her family that night. It is clear that there is some animosity between him and her family as her family talks down to him constantly, although Eui-jung does speak up for her husband. Meanwhile, Gi-cheol dreams of owning the bar where he is working as a DJ and strikes up a deal with Sergant Jang.

One year later, Gi-cheol is no closer to owning the nightclub and isn’t allowed to distribute drugs either. Tired of being disrespected, he partners up with the “knife wielder” to take over Gangnam. Soon enough, Gi-cheul and his men face off against Sergeant Jang and his men in a bloody battle for power in the hotel corridors. After getting rid of Jang, he strikes up a deal with Song Dong-hyuk and takes over Nonhyeon-dong and Yeoksam-dong in exchange for sending 50 million won to him.

Meanwhile, the Korean and Japanese narcotics departments start to work together on the case of a dangerous new drug that is making the rounds in the two countries as they try to figure out who could be distributing what and from where. Elsewhere, Jun-mo is tasked to infiltrate Gi-cheul’s network and figure out how the meth-making is happening and spreading. As he mulls over the decision, he realises that he has no choice but to say yes and otherwise, he won’t get a promotion thanks to his drug-addicted father.

Using this to rise two ranks after completion, Jun-mo learns about Gi-chuel, who is now the head of the Gangnam Union, and his cronies as well as Gangnam Crystal, a type of meth that has 95% purity. Thus, to infiltrate this tight-knit gang, Jun-mo is given a new identity, that of Kwon Seung-ho, and he starts by going to their newly acquired restaurant Sikgaek and causing a scene in order to meet Gi-cheul. When the latter gets there, he is shocked to find Tae-ho’s watch on Jun-mo and is immediately intrigued by him.

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The Worst of Evil Episode 2 starts with Gi-cheul learning about Tae-ho’s supposed cousin’s sudden appearance from his fallen best friend’s father. After he learns that he’s legit, he gives Jun-mo money and asks him never to use Tae-ho’s name for his own benefit. However, Jun-mo isn’t having it, and after some more acting, the Gangnam Union is left confused about what to do with this new person. As Jun-mo continues to try and infiltrate the group, those in Gi-cheul’s own group try to take him down.

The night they decide to murder him is also the night Jun-mo and Gi-cheul get together to discuss the former joining their gang. It turns out to be a trap for Sargent Jang’s gang as they are beaten up by the two men severely and eventually are joined by his entire team. After breaking Hando’s leg into two, Gi-cheul tells Dong-hyuk to essentially f*ck off, which triggers the boss man to ask his men to bring Gi-cheul to Busan and slit his stomach open. Afterwards, Gi-cheul tells Jun-mo that he killed Sargent Jang to avenge Tae-ho and, just like that, he is invited to the group.

Eventually, Gi-cheul starts to work with the Gangnam Union, but Eui-jung finds out about his sick leave and is upset with him. When they meet, Gi-cheul suddenly visits the restaurant giving rise to an uncomfortable situation. Surprisingly, Jun-mo realises that Gi-cheul and Eui-jung know each other from school. Of course, this results in Jun-mo being beaten up by the gang, and he tries his best to concoct a story in order to explain his relationship with Eui-jung. However, he realises that there is more to the story than meets the eye.

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The Worst of Evil episode 3 starts with Eui-jung and Gi-cheul’s relationship, clearly showcasing that he had a crush on her while they were in church together. Something happened with his mother, which resulted in them being taken by the cops, but it is clear that he still has a little crush on her. Meanwhile, Eui-jung gets roped into the investigation as well, and Jun-mo learns that his colleagues have turned Do-hyung into Jun-mo.

Soon enough, Jun-mo concocts a smart plan and saves the Gi-cheul from “Dong-hyuk’s men” and earns a spot beside the boss. Gi-cheul, later on, gets rid of Dong-hyuk using the Japanese. That night, they all go out, and it gives Jun-mo the time to break into Gi-cheul’s private office. He goes through and takes pictures of everything he finds while Gi-cheul figures out that the Busan guys were actually from the police, thanks to their flashlight.

That night, they pick up the guy who attacked Gi-cheul the other day and beat him mercilessly in front of Jun-mo. In the end, Gi-cheul asks Jun-mo to shoot the guy, mentioning that he will do it to win his trust. After much moral deliberation, he does take the shot.

The Worst of Evil Review (Episodes 1-3)

If ever there was an A rating that has made sense, then it’s the one for The Worst of Evil. And if the first three episodes are any indication, it’s going to be one bloody ride. Although most of the blood being sprayed is CGI, it looks quite real, along with the rather nice colour grading that goes swimmingly with the horrors that come with a power struggle.

The fight sequences take up most of the time of the episodes, with men hitting each other with metal bats and their fists almost constantly. The more squeamish will find themselves very uncomfortable, but the sequences are made well, and the choreography makes sense. There’s just enough randomness in the movements to make it believable, and Ji Chang-wook, who fights a lot in the first three episodes, looks like a madman who has been given free rein! Either way, the more “seasoned” gangsters are absolutely brutal and deliver some very disturbing moments.

Other than that, The Worst of Evil has a ton of politics going about with everyone backstabbing everyone. But in spite of that, I’d say I wasn’t very thrilled or sitting at the edge of my seat. There are obviously some moments that are quite good, and you mostly wonder whether or not Jun-mo will caught at any moment. Regardless, it mostly plays out without many twists, and the most interesting thing turns out to be the fight sequences.

Ji Chang-wook and Wi Ha-joon play the two sides of the law extremely well. Ha-joon is mostly the serious one of the two and plays his role with an intense charm that is infectious. Chang-wook, as the policeman desperate for justice and a promotion, will also win your heart, although I am guessing we will see more sides to his personality in the upcoming episodes.

In the end, these are just the first three episodes, so we still have time for things to get juicier. But before that, patience is going to be everyone’s best friend.

The Worst of Evil is streaming on Disney+.

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