It has been a while since Jung Woo Sung played a bad guy. Nineteen years, in fact.

In the drama "Padam Padam: The Sound of His and Her Heartbeat," his character, Yang Kang Chil, served time in jail. But that's because he was framed. He went to jail for a murder that someone else committed. If you are adding up bad guy roles, that one doesn't count. Yang Kang Chil wasn't really bad. He just had bad luck.

You can't say the same for his character in the new action film, "Cold Eyes." That character really is a bad guy and he's a smart one. In the film, Jung Sung Woo plays James, a criminal mastermind. James is a sophisticated burglar, who knows how to outsmart the police with his well-thought out plans.

His schemes are so meticulous that the police assign a special team of detectives to find out what makes him tick.

Jung Woo Sung is attracted to good roles, whether the characters are good or bad.. He played a gang member in the 1997 film "Beat," a boxer in "The City of the Rising Sun" and a naval officer in "Phantom: The Submarine." Then he had a long series of romantic roles, most notably, the film "A Moment To Remember" with Son Ye Jin.

The character of James was appealing to him because he could see that the way the character was played would be central to the success of the film.

"He has a strong sense of intensity throughout the movie," said Jung. "The whole movie will change depending on who takes the role.

The detectives who pursue him include Hwang Won Jin, played by Sol Kyung Gu. Sol Kyung Gu is an award-winning actor who has been in dozens of films, including "The Tower" and "Troubleshooter."

He must also watch out for rookie detective Ha Yoon Joo, played by Han Hyo Joo. Although she has appeared in several films, this will be her first action film. Kdrama lovers may also know her in the roles of Go Eun Sung in "Brilliant Legacy" and Eun Chae in "Iljimae."

The film will also feature Lee Junho who plays Detective Daramjwi. The youngest member of the boy band 2PM, he first attracted attention in the show Superstar Survival. He had a small role in "White: the Melody of the Curse," playing a Music Fever host.

"Cold Eyes" is a remake of the 2007 film, "Eye in the Sky," produced in Hong Kong. Jung Woo Sung's fans will be sure to watch this film to see just how bad he can get.