In the Joseon Dynasty, two friends who grew up together — one the master and one the servant — reunite post-war as enemies on opposing sides.
Acting
Gang Dong-won's rage-filled eyes carry whole scenes
Production
Mud, blood, and Joseon-era detail that reeks of authenticity
Director
Kim Sang-man
Gang Dong-won
Cheon-young
Park Jeong-min
Lee Jong-ryeo
Cha Seung-won
King Seonjo
Kim Shin-rock
Beom-dong
Jin Sun-kyu
Kim Ja-ryeong
Jung Sung-il
Kenshin
Jeon Bae-soo
Sang-moon
Cho Han-cheul
Lee Deok-hyeong
Jeon Jin-oh
Fisherman
Kang Gil-woo
Butcher
Lee Min-jae
Kiddo
Hong Seo-jun
Jong-ryeo's Father
Choi Dae-hoon
Gwang-i
Hwang Bo-reum-byeol
Jong-ryeo's Wife
Oh Youn-hong
Jong-ryeo's Mother
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The Imjin War (1592-1598) depicted here was Japan's failed invasion of Korea, a national trauma still referenced in Korean media today. The film's class tension mirrors ongoing conversations about Korea's historical yangban system.
Director Kim Sang-man storyboarded every sword sequence himself, refusing CGI for the core duels. Gang Dong-won trained for six months in traditional Korean martial arts, accidentally slicing his own eyebrow during the climactic beach fight.
KR
