City of the Rising Sun (Korean: 태양은 없다; RR: Taeyangeun eopda) is a 1999 South Korean drama film directed by Kim Sung-su, starring Jung Woo-sung and Lee Jung-jae. It follows two friends, Hong-ki and Do-chul, in their mid-twenties struggling in life, set against the backdrop of late 1990s Korea. The film was released theatrically on January 9, 1999.
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Synopsis
Do-chul is a boxer who is forced to give up boxing due to his continuous series of losses. Jobless as he has given up the sport, he is introduced to a debt collecting agency where he meets and starts working with Hong-ki, a swindler, a con artist.
Hong-ki believes that he can do everything with money, and frequently sees himself winning the lottery of life. As a gambler, he frequently bets on horse racing and loses all the money he has.
The two become friends soon after they meet, although Hong-ki's swindling eventually makes Do-chul distrust Hong-ki and announce the end of their friendship. After a series of events that cause each one of them to lose everything they have, they become friends again and wish for a little hope watching the rising sun.
Cast
Jung Woo-sung as Do-chul
Lee Jung-jae as Hong-ki
Han Go-eun as Mimi
Lee Beom-soo as Byeong-guk
Park Ji-hun as Seong-hoon
Lee Ki-yeol as Moon
Han Sang-mi as Hong Gi-mo
Kim Young-ho as Boxing trainer
Lee Bong-gyu as Loan shark
Kim Tae-hwan as Chang-min