In Protégé, undercover officer Nick (played by Daniel Wu) has spent seven years infiltrating a drug ring in Hong Kong. He has worked his way up from a street dealer to become the trusted right-hand man of the organization's leader, Kwan (played by Louis Koo).
Despite his initial intentions of taking down the drug ring from the inside, Nick finds himself drawn to the power and money that come with his new position. He begins to operate like a real drug trafficker, running cargo shipments and managing the organization's finances.
At the same time, Nick becomes involved in a romantic relationship with Jane (played by Zhang Jingchu), a heroin-addicted woman. As his feelings for her grow, Nick's sense of identity becomes increasingly blurred.
Things come to a head when Kwan falls ill and grooms Nick to take over the organization. Nick must navigate the dangerous politics of the drug world while also grappling with his conflicted emotions towards Jane and his own sense of morality.
The film features intense action sequences, complicated relationships, and a nuanced portrayal of the criminal underworld. It ultimately explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the corrupting influence of power.
