Character Relationship Map: Rough Cut

Characters

• Lee Kang-pae (played by So Ji-sub) — protagonist

  Lee Kang-pae is a local organized crime leader who secretly wishes he could appear in movies. After meeting Jang Soo-ta at a room salon, he agrees to join Soo-ta’s film production, but only on the con...

• Jang Soo-ta (played by Kang Ji-hwan) — supporting

  Jang Soo-ta is a haughty actor who is easily provoked and plays a gangster in his latest film. He becomes so immersed in the role that he sends a stuntman to the hospital. After meeting Lee Kang-pae a...

• Kang Mi-na (played by Hong Soo-hyun) — supporting
• Seong-min (played by Kong Jeong-hwan) — supporting
• Director Bong (played by Ko Chang-seok) — supporting
• President Park (played by Han Gi-joong) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Lee Kang-pae → President Park (Professional Criminal Associate) — Kang-pae's criminal connections, including his link to Park, intrude on the film production and expose him to danger from his associates.

  Kang-pae is connected to President Park and becomes involved in threats, missing evidence, a contract, and plans to silence potential witnesses.

• Jang Soo-ta → Kang Mi-na (Romantic Interest) — Soo-ta's question introduces personal tension around the production, though the reference gives no further detail about their relationship.

  Soo-ta awkwardly asks Mi-na whether she likes him.

• Jang Soo-ta → Director Bong (Professional Actor And Director) — Bong attempts to keep the production under control as Soo-ta's commitment to realism intensifies the danger.

  Director Bong orders the performers to stop after the cut as the shoot becomes dangerous, while Soo-ta remains determined to make the movie realistic.

• Lee Kang-pae → Director Bong (Professional Actor And Director) — Bong tries to control Kang-pae's dangerous behavior on set while the production depends on the authenticity he brings.

  Director Bong repeatedly orders Kang-pae and Soo-ta to stop after the cut when their rehearsals become genuinely violent.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Lee Kang-pae → Seong-min (Conflict Violent Rehearsal Partners) — A rehearsal becomes an actual assault when Kang-pae hits Seong-min rather than keeping the violence within the performance.

  During rehearsals, Lee Kang-pae strikes Seong-min, alarming the crew.

• Lee Kang-pae → Jang Soo-ta (Conflict Rival Partners) — Their collaboration develops into a rivalry shaped by resentment, admiration, and a shared obsession with making the film realistic.

  Soo-ta recruits Kang-pae for the film, with the condition that their fight scenes are real. They repeatedly hurt each other during filming, and their...

Story Analysis

A volatile actor and a real gangster join forces on a film whose pursuit of authenticity erases the boundary between performance and real violence.

Plot Progression

1. The Actor Under Fire — Soo-ta's assault during a shoot triggers public anger and threatens his commercial work. The production struggles to continue while he refuses to accept public blame and insists on realism.
2. A Gangster Joins the Set — The filmmakers bring Kang-pae into the film because his real criminal life promises authenticity. His agreement to make fight scenes real sets a dangerous condition for the collaboration.
3. Violence Escapes the Scene — Kang-pae strikes Seong-min and later injures Soo-ta during rehearsals. Bong's calls to stop cannot fully contain the performers' escalating commitment to real violence.
4. Crime Invades Production — Kang-pae's connection to President Park brings threats, missing evidence, a contract, and efforts to silence potential witnesses into the story. A reported death is treated as suicide while the crew s...
5. The Final Collision — Kang-pae realizes his criminal associates regard him as disposable, while he and Soo-ta remain bound by resentment, admiration, and their fixation on the film. Their final argument turns into real vio...