Low Life is a South Korean crime drama set in 1970s Korea, drawing inspiration from the webtoon The Hooligans and some real-life incidents. With Ryu Seung Ryong and Yang Se Jong leading the cast, the series delves into themes of greed, criminal ambition, and complex loyalties. At the heart of the narrative is the pursuit of treasure from a sunken Chinese ship off the coast of Shinan. Uncle O Gwan Seok and his nephew O Hui Dong find themselves entangled in the criminal underworld as they chase this hidden fortune. Their journey becomes increasingly perilous, marked by betrayal, ambition, and escalating violence.
While the series unfolds as a high-stakes treasure hunt, it also examines the darker impulses of human nature. The uncle and nephew are portrayed as morally ambiguous characters, whose decisions are driven by their desire for power and wealth. Their actions, layered in deception and desperation, illustrate how far people can fall when consumed by greed. The show avoids simplistic portrayals of good versus evil, instead choosing to explore the moral gray areas that define each character’s choices.
Adding another dimension to the story is Yang Jeong Sook, played by Im Soo Jung. As the wife of a powerful businessman, she possesses significant influence over financial matters within her family. Her motivations are equally rooted in personal gain, further complicating the power dynamics at play. With each character driven by their own version of survival and ambition, the series paints a gritty picture of crime, manipulation, and the price of obsession.
Low Life premiered on July 16 with its first three episodes on Disney+ at 4:00 PM KST. For Korean and international viewers alike, the series is available on the streaming platform. Subsequent episodes will be released weekly every Wednesday, with the final two episodes dropping together on August 13.