By Woo Jae-yeon
At a press event held in Seoul on Monday, actor Bae Sung-woo publicly apologized for his past actions.
“My mistake should not overshadow the dedication of the director and crew,” he stated. “I will do everything I can to rectify the situation.”
“The Ultimate Duo” tells the story of Jae-hyuk (played by Bae Sung-woo), a formerly esteemed detective who finds himself relegated to a remote outpost after a botched high-profile investigation.
Jae-hyuk’s routine is disrupted when he arrests a petty thief, who he soon realizes is a key suspect in a Seoul murder case that was officially closed with a supposed perpetrator already in custody.
Driven by a need to uncover the truth, Jae-hyuk travels to Seoul with his rookie partner, Jung-ho (Jung Ga-ram). However, their investigation is met with constant obstacles.
Drawing inspiration from a real-life Japanese crime, the film is directed by Park Cheol-hwan, who previously directed the Disney+ sci-fi series “Blood Free” (2024). “The Ultimate Duo” marks Park’s debut as a feature film director.
“At the age of 53, I’m finally making my debut as a director,” he said, appealing to the audience for their support of his first film.
Reflecting on the seven-year journey from production to release, he explained that his focus on creating a timeless film, avoiding elements that would quickly date the project, ensured its enduring relevance.
“Looking back, I’m pleased that the scenes still hold up even after all this time,” he commented, adding that the crew invested significantly in post-production with extensive editing.
“I am very satisfied with the outcome,” he shared, expressing his excitement about the upcoming release.
The director also commended the cast’s performances.
“I aimed to subvert genre conventions rather than follow a typical formula, and I’m incredibly grateful that the actors exceeded my expectations by delivering 120 percent,” he stated.
The film also features Lee So-young, professionally known as Esom, as a resolute prosecutor dedicated to justice, and Yoon Kyung-ho as one of the murder suspects.
“The Ultimate Duo” will be released on April 2.
