City of the Rising Sun

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.^[1]

City of the Rising Sun
Theatrical release poster
Hangul	태양은 없다
Hanja	太陽은 없다
RR	Taeyangeun eopda
MR	T'aeyangŭn ŏpta
Directed by	Kim Sung-su
Written by	Sam Shin Kim Sung-su
Produced by	Cha Seung-jae
Starring	Jung Woo-sung Lee Jung-jae
Cinematography	Kim Hyung-koo
Edited by	Kim Hyeon
Music by	Park Young Kim Jae-won
Release date	January 9, 1999 (1999-01-09)
Running time	101 minutes
Country	South Korea
Language	Korean

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