The biggest Korean film of the year is unmistakably Kang Je-gyu's upcoming WWII film
My Way and it really shows in the latest making-of video. Every aspect about the production, from the large sets to the all-star cast of Jang Dong-gun (
The Warrior's Way), Joe Odagiri (
Air Doll) and Fan Bingbing (
Shaolin,
Bodyguards and Assassins), loudly screams blockbuster.
The setting is Seoul, in Japan-colonized Korea. Jun-shik, who lives and works in a large Japanese estate--which belongs to Tatsuo's grandfather--and Tatsuo are rivals, both aiming to become competitors in the upcoming marathon. Jun-shik becomes elected to participate in the Tokyo Olympics as a marathon runner, but war breaks out with the U.S.S.R. and he is forced to enlist in the army.
One day, Tatsuo is recruited to become the head of defense in Jun-shik's unit. Tatsuo devises a scheme to attack the Soviets but the plan falls apart and Tatsuo and Jun-shik are held captive. When the Germans attack the Soviets, the POWs are forced to join the Soviet Army. Jun-shik and Tatsuo try to escape, but are captured by the Germans, and the two are forced to separate.
In 1944, on the shores of Normandy--where Tatsuo has been allocated to--Jun-shik and Tatsuo meet again. Jun-shik has long become a German soldier at this point, and the battle against the Allied Forces are imminent. Upon hearing that an exit passage was possible via Cherbourg, Tatsuo proposes to Jun-shik that they escape together. Amidst the chaotic throes of an enemy attack, Tatsuo and Jun-shik make a run for their lives.
The theatrical release date in Korea is on December 22nd. You'll find the 4-minute making-of video embedded below.