Endgame Investigation: Baesung Woo’s Comeback After Controversy – What to Expect from This 2026 Crime Thriller

Final Investigation | Bae Sung-woo / Photo: AceMaker Movie Works

[Sports Today reporter Lim Si-ryeong] Bae Sung-woo has made a direct return with Final Investigation. In the wake of his DUI controversy, he spoke candidly about his feelings and his responsibility to the film, saying he is determined to live properly.

Final Investigation (director Park Cheol-hwan; produced by Cheongnyeon Film and AceMaker Movie Works) gives Jae-hyuk (Bae Sung-woo), a detective reassigned to a rural outpost, one last chance. To identify the true perpetrator behind a murder that involves two suspects, he and rookie detective Jung-ho (Jung Ga-ram) head to Seoul for a decisive investigation. The story is adapted from a real case that took place in Japan.

The film, originally titled Business Trip Investigation, completed shooting in 2019. Its release was postponed for seven years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the fallout from Bae Sung-woo’s DUI controversy.

Bae plays veteran detective Jae-hyuk, exiled to the countryside. He said the material felt familiar yet was oddly twisted in places. Because the story is based on a real incident, I felt more comfortable leaning on that reality, he said. He also noted that he had recently played a police role in the drama Live, and he hesitated about taking another detective part so soon. Different personalities can make similar professions read differently, and that complexity was part of the appeal.

To avoid a stereotypical detective portrayal, he chose an emotionally grounded approach. I didn’t want to deliberately signal that the character was atypical, he explained. I focused on emotional truth and even called a real detective to ask about parts of the script. Films can be exaggerated, but I tried to make each scene convincing.

In fact, Final Investigation carries a retro feel after its seven-year gap. Although the team revised the edit, Bae said the newer cut felt more compact and made him look less aged. Still, a lot of time has passed, and some signs of that remain. There are parts I wish had gone differently, he admitted. He added that he met with the director ahead of the release; the director told him it was fun to edit together again after so long, and Bae said he was grateful.

He also thanked his co-stars. On Jung Ga-ram, who plays the younger detective, Bae said he was shy, innocent and oddly endearing. Their characters clash onscreen, but Jung’s charm lightened the scenes. He’s even more polished after his military service, Bae noted. There were awkward and apologetic moments during production, but the other actors never showed it; they welcomed him warmly and treated him naturally. He also praised Yoon Kyung-ho for being energetic and for working hard to promote the film. Rather than dwelling on regrets, Yoon encouraged him with a forward-looking, \”Let’s do our best,\” which Bae appreciated.

Throughout the interview, Bae expressed gratitude, regret and apology about Final Investigation. The lead actor’s DUI risk was a decisive factor in delaying the release. Since the controversy, he has appeared in projects such as 1947 Boston, Secret That Cannot Be Told, The Eight Show and Lighting Store, but Final Investigation is his only film where he is the sole lead.

This interview marked his first media appearance since the controversy. Bae said he asked many people whether returning was the right decision and worried about it. It might sound like an irresponsible answer, but I was grateful that people still reached out, and I felt I had no choice but to work as hard as I could, he said. Doing your job well is basic. Whenever I get the chance and have the ability, I’ll do my best so audiences leave satisfied.

He added that no amount of apologies would ever feel sufficient. I feel sorry even to the film itself, but I’m relieved and grateful that it’s finally being released. Final Investigation is the kind of project that makes you think, \”I have to live properly,\” he said.

Meanwhile, Final Investigation opened on the 2nd.

[Sports Today reporter Lim Si-ryeong ent@stoo.com]
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