Narco‑Saints is a 2022 South Korean television series produced for the streaming platform Netflix. The series, also known by its Korean title 수리남 (Suriname), is a thriller‑crime drama that depicts an ordinary entrepreneur who becomes entangled in a covert government operation to capture a South Korean drug lord operating in the South American nation of Suriname. The narrative is described as being “inspired by true events.”
Synopsis
The story follows Kang In‑gu (portrayed by Ha Jung‑woo), a businessman who travels to Suriname to develop a skate‑boarding venture. While there, he is recruited by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to assist in a secret mission aimed at apprehending Jeon Yo‑hwan (played by Hwang Jung‑min), a Korean drug lord who has established a criminal network in Suriname and poses himself as a pastor.
Main Cast
- Ha Jung‑woo as Kang In‑gu
- Hwang Jung‑min as Jeon Yo‑hwan
- Park Hae‑soo as Choi Chang‑ho, the NIS team leader for the Americas
- Jo Woo‑jin as Byeon Ki‑tae, a close associate of Yo‑hwan
- Yoo Yeon‑seok as David Julio Park, Yo‑hwan’s legal counsel
- Chang Chen as Chen Zhen, a Chinese gang leader in Paramaribo
Supporting roles include Choo Ja‑hyun, Jordan Preston, Bryan Larkin, and several other actors portraying government officials, criminal affiliates, and family members.
Production
The series was created and co‑written by Yoon Jong‑bin, who also directed the project. It was produced by Moonlight Film and Perfect Storm Film Inc. with an estimated budget of ₩35 billion. Filming took place primarily in the Dominican Republic, standing in for Suriname, after earlier plans to shoot on location were delayed due to the COVID‑19 pandemic. Additional production work occurred on sets in South Korea.
Release
Narco‑Saints premiered on Netflix on September 9 2022, simultaneously receiving an English‑language dub. The title was chosen to align with Netflix’s earlier drug‑related series Narcos and Narcos: Mexico, positioning the show as a thematic “play next” for viewers of those programs.
Reception and Controversy
The series generated attention both for its high production values and for the diplomatic response it provoked. The government of Suriname lodged a formal complaint, asserting that the portrayal of the country as a hub for drug trafficking damaged its international image. South Korean officials engaged in discussions to address the concerns, though the series remained available on Netflix.
Accolades
Narco‑Saints has been nominated for, and in some cases received, awards at regional television and streaming ceremonies, reflecting its recognition within the Asian entertainment industry.
Related Concepts
The term “narco‑saint” (without the hyphen) also refers to folk saints venerated by individuals involved in drug trafficking and other criminal activities, primarily in Latin America and the United States. This distinct cultural phenomenon is unrelated to the Netflix series, though the series title alludes to that broader concept.