Popular British American series ‘Gangs of London' returns, with Korean flair
Korean director becomes first Asian director to helm the series
The popular British American crime series "Gangs of London" is back with its much-anticipated third season — and this time, it's bringing a distinctly Korean flair.
"Gangs of London" follows the stories of multinational crime organizations in London who clash for power after the head of the city's largest crime family is assassinated.
The first two seasons of the series garnered significant popularity, with the show having clinched multiple British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards for its action-packed scenes and plot laced with twists.
The latest season kicks off as hundreds across London are killed after unknowingly ingesting cocaine mixed with fentanyl. As the body count rises, chaos ensues among the criminal organizations that delivered the product, sparking a hunt for the person responsible for the contamination of the drugs.
The third season comes with a significant creative shift. It's now helmed by acclaimed Korean filmmaker Kim Hong-sun, who previously created hit Korean crime flicks such as 'Traffickers,' 'The Con Artists' and 'The Chase."
The director said his involvement with the popular overseas series came as interest in Korean content rose globally.
"Thanks to great seniors, producers, investors, broadcasters and actors, Korean films and shows have gained a lot of global recognition. Around that time, I happened to be traveling to several international film festivals with 'Project Wolf Hunting.' After attending the Toronto International Film Festival, I had a meeting in the US, and that's when I came across AMC, one of the co-producers of 'Gangs of London,'' he said during a press conference held in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Friday.
'This project is a British-US co-produced show, and through that connection, I became close with AMC's executive producers and kept in touch. Coincidentally, the executive producer of this project really liked my previous work, 'Project Wolf Hunting,' which led to us forming a connection and eventually me getting involved in the project.'
Though new to episodic television, Kim approached "Gangs of London" Season 3 with a cinematic lens.
'Even during filming, about 80 percent felt like working on a movie and only about 20 percent felt like a series. Since the first and second seasons had distinct and intense styles depending on each director, I looked forward to expressing my own style as a Korean director in Season 3 and enjoyed working on it with that anticipation.'
Kim also revealed that some signature K-drama storytelling elements have been incorporated into the new season.
'Korean dramas often end in a way that cuts off in the middle, making you want to watch the next episode,' he said. 'I incorporated a lot of that kind of directing into this project.'
He further noted the new season will diverge tonally from its predecessors.
'Season 1 stood out for its realistic, brutal and intense action sequences, while Season 2 had a strong horror vibe. For Season 3, I aimed to make it feel more Korean, more grounded and more dynamic," he said.
"My main focus was to highlight the characters. While Seasons 1 and 2 told the stories of multinational gangs operating in the underground, Season 3 aimed to depict the 'upper ground' of London. Rather than back alleys, I wanted to show the front-facing, crowded areas — capturing all of London to create a clear distinction.'
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