SEOUL (ANN/THE KOREA HERALD) – Director Kang Je-gyu’s 2004 war action masterpiece, “Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War,” centres on the poignant journey of two brothers, Jin-tae (portrayed by Jang Dong-gun) and Jin-seok (played by Won Bin), thrust into the chaos of the Korean War that erupted on June 25, 1950.
Amidst the unforgiving brutality of the battlefield, the brothers find themselves grappling with the stark realities of war, leaving little room for contemplation on its wider implications.
Jin-tae, the family’s eldest son and provider, operates a humble shoeshine stand with dreams of marrying his beloved Young-shin (played by Lee Eun-ju) and securing a brighter future for his younger brother, Jin-seok, whose education he hopes to fund.
When conscription summons both brothers to the South Korean Army, Jin-tae’s priorities shift drastically. Learning that earning the highest military merit could secure Jin-seok’s release due to a heart condition, Jin-tae selflessly embarks on perilous missions, risking life and limb to achieve this goal.
His rapid rise to the rank of sergeant is marked by acts of valour, yet Jin-seok is deeply unsettled by his brother’s descent into ruthless violence.
Meanwhile in Seoul, the UN coalition is forced to retreat as the Chinese army enters the war to support North Korea.
Young-shin, suspected of working for the Communist Party, is captured by the South Korean military and shot dead. The two brothers, trying to rescue Young-shin, are arrested.
Jin-seok, who barely escapes the scene, learns that Jin-tae has defected to the North Koreans and has become an elite lieutenant in the North Korean army. Hoping to bring him back to who he was, Jin-seok chooses to rejoin the army and demands to be allowed to fight at the 38th parallel.
The two dramatically reunite on the battlefield but Jin-tae, who has been captured by fury and a sense of betrayal after losing his fiancee and brother, doesn’t notice Jin-seok and even tries to kill him.
Fifty years later, Jin-seok looks back on the battle days after getting a call that the remains of war veterans have been discovered.
When the movie opened in 2004, “Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War” quickly reached 10 million admissions, appealing to the audience with the universal topic of brotherhood. Film critics also praised the movie for dealing with the tragic Korean history from the brothers’ point of view.
The movie gave director Kang the best film and the best director award that year at the 50th Asia Pacific Film Festival.
In addition to its record-breaking reception in South Korea, the film also gained critical acclaim abroad for its unflinching portrayal of war as well as the brutality of both the North and South Korean military.
“Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War” is currently available via local streaming platforms such as Waave.
