The citizens of Gwangju lead a relatively peaceful life, until one day the military takes over the city, accusing the residents of conspiracy and claiming that they are communist sympathisers preparing a revolution against the current government. Seeing as the soldiers beat defenceless people, mainly students, to death, the citizens are in for retaliation and form a militia.
Acting
Ahn Sung-ki's weathered resolve anchors the chaos.
Direction
Kim Ji-hoon refuses to let you look away.
Production
Gwangju streets rebuilt with haunting authenticity.
Director
Kim Ji-hoon
Kim Sang-kyung
Kang Min-woo
Ahn Sung-ki
Park Heung-soo
Lee Yo-won
Park Shin-ae
Lee Joon-gi
Kang Jin-woo
Park Cheol-min
In-bong
Park Won-sang
Yong-dae
Song Jae-ho
Priest Kim
Na Moon-hee
Naju-daek
Kwon Tae-won
Brigadier general Choi
Uhm Hyo-seop
Captain Kim
Park Yong-su
Major general Jung
Lee Eol
Lieutenant Colonel Bae
Son Byung-ho
Teacher Jung
Yoo Hyung-gwan
Byung-jo's father
Baek Bong-ki
Won-ki
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The Gwangju Uprising remained officially taboo in South Korea until 1987; this 2007 release marked barely two decades of legal acknowledgment.
Lee Joon-gi, playing student protester Jin-woo, was primarily known for pretty-boy roles — his casting was deliberately subversive.
KR
