Set in the 1990s, The Worst of Evil follows undercover police investigators who infiltrate a massive criminal organization responsible for the illegal drug trade between Korea, China and Japan. Park Jun-Mo is a senior patrol police officer in the countryside who is constantly belittled by the in-laws for having a lower rank and career prestige than his wife, Yoo Eui-jeong, an elite member of the Security Division of the Seoul Metropolitan police. Despite this, his wife always stands up for him. Sick of being emasculated by his job, he accepts a deal as an undercover cop in the Gangnam organization so he can get a promotion that matches his wife's prestige.
Meanwhile, Jung Gi-cheul, a DJ of a nightclub controlled by the mob called the Gangnam Union, is invited by the boss of the nightclub, Jang Kyung-chul to be his enforcer due to his ability to handle unruly customers. Eventually, Gi-cheul rises up in rank and becomes the manager of the nightclub. After being unable to handle a group of rich and highly influential customers, he suggests to Jang the idea of selling drugs to increase their profits and gain power over influential clients. In response, Jang slams a bucket of water in Gi-cheul's face, rebuffing the suggestion as he does not want to endanger his business by getting involved in narcotics. Having had enough with Jang, Gi-cheul and his friends orchestrate the assassination of both Jang and his followers. However, Gi-cheul's close friend is killed in the conflict. After the attack, Gi-cheul meets with Song Dong-hyuk, the mob's 'big boss', to gain his blessing to take over the Gangnam territory and promises him 50 million won in profit every month if he allows the trading of narcotics. Dong-hyuk accepts, and Gi-cheul becomes the boss of the Gangnam territory and the drug trade in it.
A senior patrol officer from a countryside police station who was constantly belittled by the in-laws for having lower rank than his wife. He was ordered to infiltrate Gangnam Union, with the promise of promotion and huge bonus which he accepts as he is tired of being looked down. He uses the name Kwon Seung-ho, a fake cousin of the dead Tae-ho, while in Gangnam Union.[1]
Jun-mo's wife who is an elite officer in the security division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. She is also Gi-cheul's first love during high school.[10]
The chief detective of the anti-narcotics department. He has been acquaintances with Jun-mo since his high school days, and he was the one who recommended Jun-mo to infiltrate the Gangnam Union.[15]
^ abcJang, Jin-ri (March 18, 2022). "[단독]지창욱, '최악의 악'으로 열일 행보…범죄 액션 '강렬 변신'" [[Exclusive] Ji Chang-wook, working hard with 'The Worst Evil'... Crime Action 'Intense Transformation'] (in Korean). Spotify News. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022 – via Naver.
^ abcChae, Seong-oh (March 18, 2022). "[단독]카카오엔터 제작 자회사, 콘텐츠로 뭉친다…'최악의 악' 공동제작" [[Exclusive] Kakao Entertainment's production subsidiaries unite with content... Co-production of 'The Worst Evil'] (in Korean). Blotter. Archived from the original on May 27, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, Na-yeon (August 14, 2023). "지창욱X위하준 강렬한 만남..'최악의 악', 9월27일 디즈니+ 공개 [공식]" [Ji Chang-wook X Wi Ha-joon Intense meeting...'Worst Evil', released on September 27th Disney+ [Official]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on August 14, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023 – via Naver.
^손, 봉석 (September 21, 2023). "배우 서준, '최악의 악' 위하준 아역". sports.khan.co.kr (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
^Jang, Jin-ri (April 27, 2022). "[단독]위하준, '최악의 악'으로 강렬 변신…'오겜' 이후 열일 행보" [[Exclusive] Wi Ha-jun, intense transformation into 'The Worst Evil'... Ten days after 'Squid Game'] (in Korean). SpoTV News. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2022 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Soo-yeon (August 12, 2022). "[단독] 임세미, '최악의 악' 합류…지창욱·위하준과 장르물 호흡" [[Exclusive] Im Se-mi joins 'The Worst Evil'... Genre collaboration with Ji Chang-wook and Wi Ha-jun] (in Korean). Xports News. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022 – via Naver.
^Yoon, Hyo-jeong (August 28, 2023). "지창욱·위하준·임세미·비비(김형서)…'최악의 악' 포스터 공개" [Ji Chang-wook · Wi Ha-joon · Lim Se-mi · Vivi (Kim Hyung-seo)... 'Worst Evil' poster released] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023 – via Naver.
^Ahn, Byung-gil (September 13, 2023). "이신기 '최악의 악' 출연···지창욱·위하준과 호흡" [Lee Shin-ki to star in 'The Worst Evil' --- working with Ji Chang-wook and Wi Ha-joon] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2023 – via Naver.
^Lee, Seul-bi (September 18, 2023). "우강민, 디즈니+ '최악의 악' 합류…재건파 부두목 된다" [Woo Kang-min joins Disney+'s 'The Worst Evil'...will be a reconstructionist vice captain] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023 – via Naver.
^Son, Bong-seok (September 19, 2023). "배우 금광산, 디즈니+ '최악의 악' 출연" [Actor Geum Kwang-san to star in Disney+'s 'Worst Evil'] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on September 19, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023 – via Naver.
^Lee, Mi-ji (April 28, 2023). "최악의 악' 크랭크업..지창욱X위하준 "최선 다해 후회無..행복한 시간들이었다" ['worst evil' cranks up...Ji Chang-wook, Wi Ha-joon "I did my best, no regrets...happy times"] (in Korean). Herald POP. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023 – via Naver.
^Lee, Seung-hoon (May 7, 2024). '무빙'→'서울의 봄' 대상..'파묘'는4관왕 [제60회 백상예술대상][종합] ['Moving' → 'Seoul Spring' Grand Prize..'Buried Grave' wins 4 awards [60th Baeksang Arts Awards] [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024 – via Naver.
^Hwang, So-young (April 8, 2024). 60회 맞은 '백상예술대상' TV·영화·연극 후보 공개 [60th 'Baeksang Arts Awards' TV, Film and Theater Candidates Revealed] (in Korean). JTBC News. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024 – via Naver.
