Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Triad, Yakuza, and Jok-Pok: Asian Gangsters in Cinema

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Handbook of Asian Criminology

  • 2827 Accesses

Abstract

Previous works on Asian organized crime groups have examined the history, structure, function, extent, as well as descriptive accounts of the typical illegal enterprises of such criminal organizations. In addition to the historical and sociological accounts of Asian crime groups, most of the existing works have had a practical, operational, and policy-oriented aim; that is, they have been geared toward uncovering the structure, function, and methods of Asian crime groups as a way of combating what is perceived as a law enforcement and national security problem (e.g., human smuggling, narcotics trafficking). While valid, such a line of inquiry neglects to treat Asian gangsters themselves as warrantable objects of analysis. While it is true that little is known about the activities and public perceptions of Asian gangsters, aside from what is reported on the news and newspapers, due to the secretive nature of these organizations, such an omission leaves a major gap in our understanding of Asian gangsters and their activities. This paper examines the portrayals of Asian gangsters in Asian (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) cinema. Results indicate that Asian films sensationalize the use of violence while providing a fairly accurate depiction of the gangsters’ involvement in illegal enterprises.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ahn, S. H. (Producer), & Song, H. S. (Director). (2001). Failan [motion picture]. South Korea: Cine Qua Non Films.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berry, L. B., Curtis, E. G., Elan, S. L., Hudson, R. A., & Kollars, N. A. (2002). Transnational activities of Chinese crime organizations. Trends in Organized Crime, 7(3), 19–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berry, L.B., Curtis E. G., Elan S. L., Hudson R. A., & Kollars N. A. (2003). Transnational activities of Chinese crime organizations. Trends in Organized Crime, 7(3), 19–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bolz, J. (1995). Chinese organized crime and illegal alien trafficking: Humans as a commodity. Asian Affairs, 22(3), 147–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Black, J. (1991). The aesthetics of murder: A study in romantic literature and contemporary culture. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolz, J. (1995). Chinese organized crime and illegal alien trafficking: Humans as a commodity. Asian Affairs, 22(3), 147–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chan, J. W. (2000). Bruce Lee’s fictional models of masculinity. Men and Masculinities, 2(4), 371–387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chan, A. B. (2001). Yellowface: The racial branding of the Chinese in American theatre and media. Asian Profile, 29(2), 161–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chan, A. B. (2007). Perpetually cool: The many lives of Anna May Wong (1905–1961). New York, NY: Scarecrow Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chan, P. (Producer), & Yee, T. S. (Director). (2007). Protégé [motion picture]. Hong Kong: Golden Village Pictures.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C. H. (1996). Feminization of Asian (American) men in the US mass media: An analysis of The Ballad of Little Jo. Journal of Communication Inquiry, 20(2), 57–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chin, K. (1995). Triad societies in Hong Kong. Transnational Organized Crime, 1, 47–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chin, K. L. (1996). Chinatown gangs: Extortion, enterprise, & ethnicity. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chin, K. L. (1999). Smuggled Chinese: Clandestine immigration to the United States. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chin, K. H. (2003). Organized crime, business, and politics in Taiwan. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chin, K. (2009). The golden triangle: Inside Southeast Asia’s drug trade. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chin, K., & Godson, R. (2006). Organized crime and the political–criminal nexus in China. Trends in Organized Crime, 9(3), 5–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chin, K., Kelly, R., & Fagan, J. (1993). Methodological issues in studying Chinese gang extortion. The Gang Journal, 1(2), 25–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chin, K., Zhang, S., & Kelly, R. (1998). Transnational Chinese organized crime activities. Transnational Organized Crime, 4(3/4), 127–154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chu, Y. K. (2005). Hong Kong Triads after 1997. Trends in Organized Crime, 8(3), 5–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doherty, T. (1984). Creating a national cinema: The South Korean experience. Asian Survey, 24(8), 840–851.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dowler, K., Fleming, T., & Muzzatti, S. (2006). Constructing crime: Media, crime, and popular culture. Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 48(6), 837–850.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dupont, A. (1999). Transnational crime, drugs, and security in East Asia. Asian Survey, 39(3), 433–455.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, A., & Levi, M. (2008). Researching the organization of serious crimes. Criminology and Criminal Justice, 8(4), 363–388.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finckenauer, J., & Chin, K. (2006). Asian transnational organized crime and its impact on the United States. Trends in Organized Crime, 10(2), 18–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fukasaku, K. (Director). (1972). Street Mobster [motion picture]. Japan: Toei Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagedorn, J. (2009). A genealogy of gangs in Chicago: Comparative lessons from Chicago gang research. http://gangresearch.net/Archives/hagedorn/articles/genealogy.pdf.

  • Huang, H. (2006). Dragon brothers and tiger sisters: A conceptual typology of counter-cultural actors and activities of American Chinatowns, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, 1912–2004. Crime, Law and Social Change, 45(1), 71–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hudson, R. (2003). Terrorist And organized Crime Groups in the Tri-Border Area (TBA) of South America: A Report Prepared by the Federal Research Division, Library of Congress under an Interagency Agreement with the United States Government. Washington, DC: Library of Congress.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, D. M., Chon, K. Y., & Ellerman, D. P. (2007). Modern-day comfort women: The U.S. military, transnational crime, and the trafficking of women. Violence Against Women, 13(9), 901–922.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huisman, S. (2008). Investigating Chinese crime entrepreneurs. Policing, 2(1), 36–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iwatsuki, S., Shirai, M. (Producers), & Shinoda, M. (Director). (1964). Pale Flower [motion picture]. Japan: Shochiku Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jang, S. J. (Producer), & Yang, I. J. (Director). (2009). Breathless [motion picture]. Seoul, South Korea: Shincine.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joe, K. A. (1994). The new criminal conspiracy? Asian gangs and organized crime in San Francisco. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 31(4), 390–415.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kang, L. H. I. (1993). The desiring of Asian female bodies: Interracial romance and cinematic subjection. Visual Anthropology Review, 9(1), 5–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katz, J. (1991). Seductions of crime. New York, NY: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, R., Chin, K., & Fagan, J. (1993a). The activity, structure, and control of Chinese gangs: Law enforcement perspectives. Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, 9(3), 221–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, R., Chin, K., & Fagan, J. (1993b). The dragon breathes fire: Chinese organized crime in New York City. Contemporary Crises: Crime, Law and Social Change, 19, 245–269.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, N. Y. (2006). Patriarchy is so third world’: Korean immigrant women and ‘migrating’ white Western masculinity. Social Problems, 53(4), 519–536.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, S. K. (2006b). Renaissance of Korean National Cinema as a terrain of negotiation and contention between the global and the local: Analyzing two Korean Blockbusters, Shiri (1999) and JSA (2000). The Essex Graduate Journal, 6, 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kwong, P. (1997). Forbidden workers: Illegal Chinese immigrants and American labor. New York, NY: The New Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lamberti, R. (2010). Rise and fall inside the Asian mob. In Toronto Sun (2008 May 26), South Korean Police plan intensive crackdown on organized crime. BBC Worldwide Monitoring.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lau, W. K. (Producer), Lau, W. K., & Mak, A. (Directors). (2002). Infernal affairs [motion picture]. Hong Kong: Media Asia Distribution.

    Google Scholar 

  • Law, D., To, J. (Producers), & To, J. (Director). (2005). Election [motion picture]. Hong Kong: China Star Entertainment Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, C. S. (1980). South Korea 1979: Confrontation, assassination, and transition. Asian Survey, 20(1), 63–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, S. M. (2006). Organized crime in South Korea. Trends in Organized Crime, 9(3), 61–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levitt, S. D., & Venkatest, S. A. (2000). An economic analysis of a drug-selling gang’s finances. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 115(3), 755–789.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, L. (2008a, August 28). Yakuza gangs stalk markets as police fight organized crime on new front. The Times (London).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, L. (2008b, August 30). Yakuza invade equity markets. The Times (London).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindberg, K., Petrenko J., Gladden J., & Johnson W. A. (1998). Emerging organized crime in Chicago. International Review of Law, Computers & Technology, 12(2), 219–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Litner, B. (2004). Chinese organized crime. Global Crime, 6(1), 84–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lo, T. W. (2010). Beyond social capital: Triad organized crime in Hong Kong and China. British Journal of Criminology, 50(5), 851–872.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu, S. H. (1997). Transnational Chinese cinemas. Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miro, R. (2003). Organized crime and terrorist activity in Mexico, 1999–2002: A report prepared by the federal research division. Library of Congress under an Interagency Agreement with the United States Government. Washington, DC: Library of Congress.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mori, M., Nabeshima, T., Yoshida, T. (Producers), & Kitano, T. (Director). (2003). Sonatine [motion picture]. Japan: Shouchiku Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naitô, S. (Producer), & Miike, T. (Director). (2003). Yakuza Demon [motion picture]. Japan: Shochiku Eiga.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okazaki, S. (2002). Influence of culture on Asian Americans’ sexuality. The Journal of Sex Research, 39(1), 34–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pang, L. (2002). Masculinity in crisis: Films of Milkyway Image and post-1997 Hong Kong Cinema. Feminist Media Studies, 2(3), 325–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park, S.H. (1992). Film censorship and political legitimation in South Korea, 1987–1992. Cinema Journal, 42(1), 120–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park, S. H. (2002). Film censorship and political legitimation in South Korea, 1987–1992. Cinema Journal, 42(1), 120–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park, J. H., Gabbadon, N. G., & Chernin, A. R. (2006). Naturalizing racial difference through comedy: Asian, Black, and White views on racial stereotypes in Rush Hour 2. Journal of Communication, 56, 157–177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park, D. H., Lee, E. (Producers), & Kim, J. W. (Director). (2005). A Bittersweet Life [motion picture]. South Korea: CJ Entertainment.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paulsen, J. D. (2002). Wrong side of the tracks: Exploring the role of newspaper coverage of homicide in socially constructing dangerous places. Journal of Criminal Justice and Popular Culture, 9(3), 113–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rafter, N. (2006). Shots in the mirror: Crime films and society. New York, NY: Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richard, A. O. (1999). International trafficking in women to the United States: A contemporary manifestation of slavery and organized crime. Washington, DC: Center for the Study of Intelligence (DCI Exceptional Intelligence Analyst Program).

    Google Scholar 

  • Saga, J. (1991). Confessions of a Yakuza. New York, NY: Kodansha International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Said, E. (1978). Orientalism. New York, NY: Vintage Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schilling, M. (2003). The yakuza movie book: A guide to Japanese gangster films. Berkeley, CA: Stone Bridge Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sein, A. (2008). The prosecution of Chinese organized crime groups: The Sister Ping case and its lessons. Trends in Organized Crime, 11, 157–182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seok, M. H. (Producer), & Kwak, K. T. (Director). (2001). Friend [motion picture]. South Korea: Korea Pictures.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shek, Y. L. (2006). Asian American masculinity: A review of the literature. The Journal of Men’s Studies, 14(3), 379–391.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shim, D. B. (2006). Hybridity and the rise of Korean popular culture in Asia. Media, Culture & Society, 28(1), 25–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shundo, K., Yoshida, T. (Producers), & Funkasaku, K. (Director). (1971). Sympathy for the Underdog [motion picture]. Japan: Toei Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Song, J. H. L., & Dombrink, J. (1994). Asian emerging crime groups: Examining the definition of organized crime. Criminal Justice Review, 19(2), 228–243.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soudijn, M. R. J., & Kleemans, E. R. (2009). Chinese organized crime and situational context: Comparing human smuggling and synthetic drugs trafficking. Crime, Law, and Social Change, 52(5), 457–474.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • “South Korean Police plan intensive crackdown on organized crime.” (2008, August 31). BBC Worldwide Monitoring.

    Google Scholar 

  • “South Korea, USA cooperate in crackdown on drug trafficking.” (2010, March 3). BBC Worldwide Monitoring.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suh, D. S. (1982). South Korea in 1981: The first year of the fifth republic. Asian Survey, 22(1), 107–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Duyne, P. C. (1996). The phantom and threat of organized crime. Crime, Law and Social Change, 24(4), 341–377.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Websdale, N., & Alvarez, A. (1998). Forensic journalism as patriarchal ideology: The newspaper construction of homicide-suicide. In F. Baily & D. Hale (Eds.), Popular culture, crime, & justice (pp. 123–141). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xia, M. (2008). Organizational formations of organized crime in China: Perspectives from the state, markets and networks. Journal of Contemporary China, 17(54), 1–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yamagata, K. (2001). The Yakuza. Snoecks The piece is a magazine article. (translated into Flemish), 290–310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yin, S. (2009, April 23). The dragon bites back; the movies may make triad life look glamorous, but young people who get drawn into the underworld find themselves in a dangerous and confusing place. South China Morning Post.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, S., & Chin, K. (2001). Chinese human smuggling in the United States of America. Crime and Society, 1(2), 31–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, S., & Chin, K. (2002). Enter the dragon: Inside Chinese human smuggling organizations. Criminology, 40(4), 737–768.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, S., & Chin, K. (2003). The declining significance of Triad societies in transnational illegal activities: A structural deficiency perspective. British Journal of Criminology, 43(3), 469–499.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, S., & Chin, K. (2008). Snakeheads, mules, and protective umbrellas: A review of current research on Chinese organized crime. Crime, Law, & Social Change, 50(3), 177–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, ON, Canada, L1H 7K4

    Paul T. Lankin BA. & Phillip C. Shon Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Paul T. Lankin BA.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Phillip C. Shon Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Phillip C. Shon Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao, Macao

    Jianhong Liu

  2. Centre for Criminology and Criminal Just, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom

    Bill Hebenton

  3. School of Criminology, National Taipei University, Taipei, Taiwan R.O.C.

    Susyan Jou

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Lankin, P.T., Shon, P.C. (2013). Triad, Yakuza, and Jok-Pok: Asian Gangsters in Cinema. In: Liu, J., Hebenton, B., Jou, S. (eds) Handbook of Asian Criminology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5218-8_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation