Jung Jae Young is one of those rare actors who can pull off a tragicomic role like no other. Having seen several of his action films, he is always impressive. Going By The Book (2007) caught my attention the moment I watched the trailer. The premise of the story centers around a character who becomes a strange figure simply for doing his job the way it’s supposed to be done.
The Premise of Going By The Book
Jung Do Man (played by Jung Jae Young) is a former detective who was transferred to a small town and became a traffic cop. His job is to enforce traffic laws, but this brings him into conflict with his new boss from the start. Their first encounter happens when Do Man attempts to fine his superior for a U-turn in a prohibited area. This incident sets the stage for a series of conflicts.
The newly appointed Chief of Police, Lee Seung Woo (played by Son Byung Ho), tries to make Do Man regret his actions, as Do Man is always determined to enforce the law, no matter the cost. In an effort to improve the image of the police department in Sam Po, which has been plagued by a series of bank robberies, the Chief decides to stage a robbery simulation. The irony is that Do Man, who has never done anything wrong, is tasked with leading this simulated robbery and is given specific orders to make it as realistic as possible.
The Comedy Unfolds
As the story progresses, Do Man dives into a world of hilarious situations, balancing his serious, by-the-book attitude with the absurdity of his role as a robber. What makes this comedy truly unique is the contrast between Do Man’s meticulousness and the chaos that ensues. As the simulation becomes increasingly out of hand, the rest of the police force, including the Chief and even a special squad, all witness the genius of Do Man, who doesn’t miss a single detail.
Cast of Going By The Book (2007)
- Jung Jae Young (Confession of Murder, King’s Wrath, Public Enemy Returns) plays Jung Do Man, a former detective who, after investigating the mayor and stepping into areas he shouldn’t, gets transferred to his new position. Despite his transfer, he continues to enforce the law strictly, which brings him into further trouble. His performance is impeccable as he is forced to “rob a bank” as part of a staged event.
- Son Byung Ho (Papa, Perfect Game, Hero) plays Lee Seung Woo, the new Chief of Police who, on his first day of work, tries to avoid getting fined by Do Man. He is the mastermind behind the staged robbery, which he believes will help improve the police department’s image and show that Do Man is a fool. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth.
While these two actors are the key figures in the chaos of this comedy, it’s worth mentioning the impressive supporting cast, including Eom Su Jeong (The Worst Guy Ever, Lights and Shadows, Flames of Desire), Lee Young Eun (To The Beautiful You, Wedding Scheme, Summer Whispers), the hilarious Go Chang Suk (The Grand Heist, AD Genius Lee Tae Baek, Good Doctor), Shin Goo (A Hundred Year’s Inheritance, Heartstrings, Sorry, I Love You), Im Ji Eun (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Big, Three Sisters), Joo Jin Mo (New World, Children…, Heaven’s Postman), and comedy legend Lee Han Wi (7th Grade Civil Servant, War of the Arrows, Wild Romance), among many others with long careers in both film and TV dramas.
Why You Should Watch It
If you’re looking for a good laugh and want to enjoy a comedy that’s out of the ordinary, I highly recommend Going By The Book. The performances are brilliant, and the script is so well written that it never gets boring. This is another excellent role for Jung Jae Young in his impressive career.