Narco-Saints (2022)
A tense Korean crime miniseries following an ordinary businessman pulled into a dangerous undercover mission against a drug lord in South America.
Narco-Saints - Series Information
- Original Title: 수리남
- First Air Year: 2022
- Last Air Year: 2022
- Created by: Yoon Jong-bin
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 62 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 6
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Korean
- Spoken Languages: Korean
- First Air Date: September 9, 2022 (United States - TV-MA), September 9, 2022 (Brazil - 18), September 9, 2022 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: Netflix
- Production Companies: Moonlight Film, Perfect Storm Film
- Production Countries: South Korea
- Alternative Titles: 苏里南 (CN), Soolinam (US), سورینام (IR), 蘇利南 (TW), 毒枭圣徒 (SG), Наркосвятые (RU), นักบุญนาร์โค (TH), Suriname (KR)
Narco-Saints - Plot
An ordinary entrepreneur joins a secret government mission to capture a Korean drug lord operating in South America.
Narco-Saints - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the tension unfold from the very first frame:
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Narco-Saints - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Yoon Jong-bin
Main Cast
- Ha Jung-woo
- Hwang Jung-min
- Park Hae-soo
- Jo Woo-jin
- Yoo Yeon-seok
- Choo Ja-hyun
- Hyun Bong-sik
- Lee Bong-ryeon
- Chang Chen
- Kim Kang-bin
Writers
- Kwon Sung-hui
- Yoon Jong-bin
Executive Producers
- Yoon Jong-bin
- Seo Young-hee
- Kang Myung-chan
- Kuk Su-ran
Narco-Saints - FAQs
Is Narco-Saints based on a true story?
Narco-Saints draws directly from real events. The series is inspired by the case of Cho Bong-haeng, a Korean pastor who built a drug empire in Suriname in the 2000s. A Korean businessman was recruited by the National Intelligence Service to help bring him down, forming the dramatic backbone of the show.
Is Narco-Saints worth watching?
Absolutely worth your time. Narco-Saints delivers a taut, cinematic thriller packed with powerhouse performances, particularly from Ha Jung-woo and Hwang Jung-min. Its tight six-episode structure keeps the tension relentless, and the ripped-from-reality premise adds a chilling layer of authenticity that sets it apart from typical crime dramas.
Where can you stream Narco-Saints?
Narco-Saints is available to stream exclusively on Netflix, including on the Netflix Standard with Ads plan. As a Netflix original miniseries, all six episodes are available at once, making it ideal for a binge-watch weekend.
Who plays the drug lord in Narco-Saints?
Hwang Jung-min plays Jeon Yo-hwan, the charismatic and terrifying Korean drug lord posing as a pastor in Suriname. His performance is widely regarded as one of the most compelling villain portrayals in recent Korean television, blending religious manipulation with cold-blooded ruthlessness in deeply unsettling ways.
How many episodes does Narco-Saints have?
Narco-Saints consists of six episodes, each running approximately 62 minutes. Released all at once on Netflix on September 9, 2022, the miniseries format gives the story a focused, film-like momentum that builds steadily toward a gripping conclusion without overstaying its welcome.
Did Narco-Saints face any controversy after release?
The series sparked diplomatic friction when Suriname's government formally complained to South Korea about its portrayal of the country as a lawless narco-state. South Korean officials acknowledged the concerns, and Netflix added a disclaimer noting the show is a fictional dramatization inspired by real events rather than a factual account.
Who created and directed Narco-Saints?
Narco-Saints was created and directed by Yoon Jong-bin, a filmmaker celebrated for crime and espionage storytelling in Korean cinema. He co-wrote the series with Kwon Sung-hui. Yoon also served as executive producer, giving the project a strong singular creative vision from script to screen.
What are some shows similar to Narco-Saints?
If Narco-Saints hooked you, try Narcos or Narcos: Mexico for sprawling cartel sagas, The Night Manager for undercover spy thrills, or The Worst of Evil for another intense Korean crime drama. Queen of the South offers a similarly globe-trotting look at the drug trade from a fresh perspective.
More About Narco-Saints
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