North Korean Partisan in South Korea (1990) - full transcript
South Korean production exploring a North Korean perspective of the long, grueling account of the Korean War based on memoirs of Lee Tae, former news agency correspondent who fought for North Korean partisans.
Nam Production
This film is based on the
real-life experience of Lee Tae
a reporter who was
a partisan guerrilla
during the Korean War-
North Korean
Partisan in South Korea
Ahn Sung-ki
Choi Min-soo, Choi Jin-sil
Lee Hye-young, Kang Tae-ki
Twist Kim, Cho Hyoung-ki
Na Ki-su, Sin Yun-jeong
Dokko Young-jae, Hur Ki-ho
Lee Eun-sok, Kim Yeong-sin
Special appearances from Mun
Chang-keun, Nam Po-dong, Jang Seung-hwa
Aug. 15, 1945 Liberation
from Japanese Colonial Rule
Original novel by Lee Tae
Aug. 20, 1945 Soviet
forces occupy North Korea
The 38th Parallel
Sept. 9, 1945 US forces
occupy South Korea
Planning by Park Keon-seop
Feb. 15, 1946 Establishment of National Front
for Democracy by Park Hun-yong and Yo Un-hyong
Screenplay by Jang Sun-woo
Oct. 2, 1946 Daegu Uprising Nov. 23
Founding of Worker's Party of South Korea
Cinematography by Yoo Young-kil
May, July 1947 Breakdown in US-Soviet Joint
Commission negotiations, beginning of the Cold War Era
Lighting by Kim Dong-ho
July 19, 1947 Assassination of Yo
Un-hyong, leader of Laboring People's Party
Music by Shin Byung-ha
Apr. 3, 1948 Jeju Uprising
Editing by Kim Hyeon
Apr. 19, 1948 North-South
party talks held in Pyongyang
Recording by Lee Young-kil
May 10, 1948 independent
elections held in South Korea
Sound department
by Kim Kyeong-il
Oct. 20, 1948
Yeosu-Suncheon Rebellion
Sound effects by Yang Dae-ho
June 25, 1949 Assassination of Kim Gu,
leader of the Korea Independence Party
Props by Kim Han-sang
Costumes by Shin Kyung-shim
June 25, 1950 Outbreak
of the Korean War
Special effects by Lee Jeong-il
July 12, 1950 The command of
South Korean military transferred to US
Makeup by Jeong Jun-ho
Artistic Director Cho Yung-sam
Sept. 2, 1950 The
Great Naktong Offensive
Production manager Kim Hyeon-taek
Assistant director Shim Seung-bo
Sept. 15, 1950 The landing
of US forces at Incheon
Producer & Director
Chung Ji-young
After liberation, the power struggle
between the US and Soviet Union
escalated the left-right
ideological conflict into real battles,
leading to the outbreak
of the Korean War-
During this turbulent period, I was
working as a reporter for Hapdong News.
When the People's Army captured
Seoul and took over Hapdong News,
I became a war correspondent for
the North Korean Central News Agency
Sept. 1950, Jeonju
and was stationed in Jeonju.
North Korean Central
News Agency Jeonju Branch
Protect Our People's Freedom!
The line's down.
What's going on?
Maybe the Americans have landed?
You worry too much.
After spending all their energy
on geishas in Okinawa,
Kakinawa, wherever,
the Yankees won't have the
strength to do anything here.
Isn't that so, comrade?
Get your things together.
The Americans have
already landed at Osik-do.
What?
But that's only two
hours from here.
Right.
They'll soon be
here. We must hurry.
Goodness, this isn't good.
Everyone's heading
North. Where are we going?
We have orders from the
Jeollabuk-do Regional Party.
Excuse me?
We're to join them at the Mt.
Yeopwun Guerrilla Command.
What?
Cheer up, all of you.
You must be the journalist
comrades joining the Regional Party.
Yes, and who are you, comrade?
Pleasure to meet you all.
I'm the famous Grey
Heron of Mt. Yeopwun.
Let's go!
That was the first time
I met a real partisan.
Comrade Grey Heron led us
to the Jeollabuk-do Partisan
hideout in Mt. Yeopwun.
It was an encounter
with a new world
It was an encounter with a new world The Guerrilla Command
of the Workerf. s Party at the foot of Mt. Yeopwun.
The Guerrilla Command of the
Worker's Party at the foot of Mt. Yeopwun.
That would fill me with
both fear and curiosity.
This way, comrade.
Take care, comrade!
- Take care.
- Let's go, comrades.
Right, follow me comrades.
Being a journalist and not a
communications technician,
I was assigned to a combat unit-
Look after yourself, comrade.
From today you are assigned
to the Fourth Company.
We'll now divide into platoons.
Comrade Seong, you have
experience, so you'll be the patrol leader.
Understood.
A journalist?
You took part in the student
movement. What did you do?
I protested against the US military
government's setting up universities in Korea
and Syngman Rhee's party's founding
of a separate government in the South.
Any military experience?
I learned how to shoot a
gun in the Japanese army...
Drafted to fight
against liberation then...
Anyhow, we should make
use of your military experience.
I'll make you the 2nd
Platoon Commander.
As a petite intelligentsia,
I hope fighting as a partisan will
turn you into a true communist.
Yes, sir.
A Yeonhui College drop-out...
Our company's going
to be very intellectual.
2nd Platoon.
Yes, sir.
Comrade...
Partisans have
to be brave, right?
Aren't you scared, though?
Until our nation is liberated, the
struggle must continue everywhere.
Let's go to sleep.
Everywhere?
Who's there? I
didn't say anything.
Comrade, put on your shoes.
Now!
You better be
careful from now on.
You didn't pay attention
during the training today.
Wet or dry, a partisan
must have their shoes on
at all times, weren't
you listening?
Sleep okay?
Yes.
Comrade, what's wrong?
My... spoon...
- What? You lost your Party ID?
- What did I do with it?
Ah, here it is.
Who's that lady?
We came here together
from my hometown.
Still, you can't just
give out your ID like that.
Didn't you hear at
the training, comrade?
That spoon on a corpse
tells us they were a comrade.
Then we'll at least cover
the body with leaves.
Have some.
Hey, you fell. You okay?
After some basic training,
we left for our first mission.
Comrades!
We haven't eaten
a thing all day.
We'd better have some
breakfast in the village down there.
As you know, that village
isn't one of ours yet.
The enemy might jump
out anytime, anywhere.
So you need to finish eating
within five minutes of getting there.
Our strategy is...
- 1st Platoon!
- Yes.
Close off all the roads as
soon as you reach the village.
The rest just go
into any house and
grab and eat
whatever you can find.
Those who've eaten
can make rice balls
for the 1st Platoon comrades.
I'm sorry, ma'am.
Goodness!
Thank you for the food, ma'am.
Comrade Ma, this
is for the 1st Platoon.
It's a big operation
this time, then?
Winter is coming, so
we'll gather supplies and
launch an attack to
show them our fire power.
All the regional command troops will be
deployed to attack at once to Mt. Hoemun.
Godammit, he saw us.
Comrades, that way!
Women, take cover!
Comrade Lee, we need to retreat!
Damn it! Retreat!
Retreat and cover fire!
Comrade Jeon, run!
Run or you'll die!
Commander, I left my rifle.
The rifle won't shoot!
Commander, the rifle's broken!
Everyone, over
the hill to Sarak!
Comrade Kim, look
after Comrade Jeon!
Do not retreat!
They were following us.
Good thing we came this way.
- Down this way.
- Yes, sir.
Machine gun, over here.
Are you hurt?
Are you really okay?
The Silence of Love
Comrade Jeon,
hand me that towel.
What are you talking about?
Comrade Jeon
left his rifle and fled.
We need to follow orders.
But his situation was...
Situation?
There is never a good
excuse for dumping a rifle.
But isn't a man's life
more valuable than a rifle?
You're too soft and
sentimental. Enough of that.
We can't be victorious in our
liberation with that kind of mentality.
Well...
We made good progress today.
Let's not dwell on this.
The commander has a good point.
We've seized loads of weapons,
but we need people to use them.
But... the Company
Commander is...
After we buried Company
Commander Choi in the mountains,
we received an order
for reassignment.
The Command had already
relocated to Mt. Hoemun.
We, the 4th Company, were
reassigned to the Eagle troops.
Maengbong, who saved us
that day, became the commander,
and we set up base at
the foot of Mt. Baekryeon.
Together with the azaleas
In the distant hot haze
I see your face.
Over the fields
the shepherd's pipe
lulls the baby to sleep-
I see your face.
Wait for me, my love,
Until the fight is over.
Jo Yeongja, Bae Bongsuk
Lee Eunha, Jeong
Eunok, and Kang Seonhui.
Comrades, you've been transferred
to the Command. Leave right away.
But, Commander...
What?
Comrade Jo is...
What about Comrade Jo?
It's nothing.
At your service!
Ah! Comrade Park.
Are you unwell?
No, I'm fine.
I look forward to
working together.
I've also been assigned
here to the Eagle Regiment.
Ah, that's good.
Then you can use my
personal washing station.
Thank you.
The bullet wound is infected.
I can't believe he didn't
tell anyone about it.
It's really swollen.
Hold it tightly.
How does it feel?
Doesn't it hurt?
The damned night of Silla, do
you hear the bell of Bulguksa...
Comrade!
Keep going. The pain is gone.
Hear the bell of Bulguksa...
Passing wanderer
Comrade Park!
- Rest your...
- The small one.
Weary legs
The moonlight-.-
Comrade, could you help?
Comrade Park, take this.
Nov. 1950 Wolchi
village, Sunchang-gun
Hurry up!
I'm exhausted!
The night of Silla...
The bell of...
Comrade Shin!
They attacked us just as
everyone left for Cheongwung.
Fire! Fire!
Run! To that stone
wall down below!
Second squad, to the well!
Comrade Jeon!
The smoke will cover you.
Keep running to the foot of the hill.
From there, throw a grenade.
When it goes off,
we'll make a run for it.
Now run!
- Commander...
- Just go!
So we burn the
whole village down?
Yes, our order is to burn down
every village they get supplies from!
But, Commander...
Why doesn't it explode?
Listen, Comrade Lee.
We can't take you with us.
Behind this wall,
you're safe from the fire.
When we're gone,
do what you have to do.
Comrade Minja!
Follow me.
Now!
We're evacuating.
So we don't have to
burn this one down?
Dunno. Maybe we'll as we leave.
Wait, it's the next house.
Is it?
We're in enemy grounds.
We have to get out of here!
Private Kim!
Come with me.
Ma'am.
Yes?
Did you see two
soldiers pass by here?
Oh...
They went that way.
They're gone.
You haven't eaten, have you?
No.
- Ma'am.
- Yes?
What's the matter?
I found this over there.
What is it?
A spoon that belongs
to communist guerillas.
What? Communist guerillas?
Who are you?
Thank you so much, ma'am.
When you report this later,
tell them we ran off to Galjae.
This way.
You think this is a picnic?
What if the enemy show up?
I was hoping our
people would hear it.
That nap brought
me back to life.
What?
After running for your
life, you collapsed.
You can hardly call it
a nap. You passed out.
Oh, did I?
That's why you didn't scream
when I was treating you.
My hometown was
In the mountains
full of flowers..-
Who taught you how
to whistle with grass?
My brother did.
We lost our parents
when we were young.
After finishing school,
I worked at the Daejeon Provincial Hospital,
but I decided to go with my brother.
Before the war, I worked
at the medical clinic
at the Wunam Dam
construction site.
But when the war broke out,
my brother got drafted.
A little later, I was told
that he died in battle.
When I returned to Daejeon,
the hospital had changed
to People's Field Hospital.
So I became a medic.
I was sent to the front. But
during the Nakdong retreat,
I fell behind and ended
up joining this company.
You ended up siding with
those who killed your brother.
It's hard for me to understand.
I guess it must be.
But I don't understand
why there are two sides.
And injured people need me,
no matter what side they're on.
It's getting colder.
You must stay warm
for your wound to heal.
Hold me close.
Get up!
I'm a platoon commander
of the Eagle Regiment.
And she's a medic.
Really?
Yes.
We belong to the
Lightning Regiment. Let's go.
Okay, got it.
The Eagle Regiment is at
Mulgu-ri defending Yakdam Peak.
Also, the medic has been
assigned to a hospital in Huiyeoteo.
You should get going now.
Injured soldiers are pouring in.
They need all the hands they can get.
Can you find your way
to Huiyeoteo by yourself?
Yes, sir.
Good. Off you go then.
Yes, sir.
If it gets infected again,
who will look after you?
I'm sure Comrade Heo will.
I hope you're not going to
ask her for a hug to stay warm.
Do you think she
would give me one?
I don't know.
Who's there?
Seyong!
Commander...
He's burning up.
When the war is over,
you'll be working as a journalist
somewhere in Seoul, right?
I wonder what I'll be doing.
Maybe you'll...
be waiting for me
at the dinner table?
Do you think we'll be
able to meet again?
As long as we stay alive...
In case we don't...
I hope you become
a good journalist.
I want to give you
something, too.
What can I give you?
Use that to write something for
me. Something I can carry with me.
Though the fates us
from each other sever,
The flame that within
my breast burns.
I wish not your
peace to disturb.
On a snowy day by Seomjin River,
To Minja, With love, Tae
Though the fates us
from each other sever...
From each other sever...
That line bothers me.
It's from a Byron's poem.
Be careful. Keep your guard up.
Go now.
Take care.
I couldn't pull the grenade
pin because I got scared.
Thinking of my mom
all by herself at home...
I just couldn't...
You said your father
passed away last year?
Yes.
The police came
to get him one day.
They beat him all night. After he
came home, he became bedridden.
There was nothing
we could do for him.
- Commander.
- Yes?
If we keep fighting like this,
good times will
come one day, right?
Of course.
Good times will come.
Commander.
After the war, you'll
take me to Seoul, right?
Why Seoul?
I want to go to an
important school like you did.
Sure, I'll take you there.
Mortar, you are my
comrade and buddy.
Every time I see
you, my heart fires up.
Machine gun, you
are my trouble-maker.
Every time I see
you, I get all infuriated.
Comrade Ma, I bet
nothing infuriates you.
You always run
away from battles.
What? When did I ever...
You should be ashamed.
What's infuriating is that we
have to waste soju on these guns
because we don't
have anti-freeze.
That's more like it!
Hey, do you want a sip?
Which dumb-ass
stuffed up my flask?
As winter gets colder, we
have to be more cautious.
To a partisan,
alcohol is like poison.
It's cold and it kills me to
pour it all into this piece of shit.
Orders to mobilize!
The enemy will
show up at Galdam.
The 2nd platoon
should move to Sagusil.
We, the 1st platoon,
will move to Gagok.
Hide! The yellow
dogs are coming!
Comrade Seong, run
this way! We'll cover you!
Makdung!
Makdung!
Cease fire!
Makdung!
Hey kid, come over
here! It's dangerous!
Come here, boy!
Come to us! Listen to
us. We're the soldiers!
Come on, kid! Over here!
Those are commies! Come
this way. We'll give you crackers!
Don't go to the yellow
dogs! Come this way!
Dol! What are you doing there?
Come here right now!
Mom!
Hey, yellow dogs! Good to
see that you're still human!
You wild pigs! So you
have a heart after all!
Don't you want to go home?
Go home and look
after your family!
We know the reason
you stopped shooting
wasn't the boy, but the dog!
Isn't it one of yours?
Wild pigs or yellow dogs,
we all have the same forefather!
Isn't that right, you pigs!
So you bastards do
know a thing or two!
That's why we have
to unite our nation
and liberate the people,
you ignorant fools!
Come out with your hands up!
That way, your
lives will be spared!
Stop talking shit and
listen to this song!
On the blue water of Duman River
The oarsman set sail-
Long ago...
How many do you think?
Not sure. Shall we join in?
The boat has sailed off.
Where has it gone?
I miss my darling
I miss my darling
They seem to be
twice our number.
We're spread out, so it'll
sound like there's more of us.
You think?
Hey, you yellow dogs!
Think you can take our
village with just 30 men?
Think again, you bastards!
You pigs!
Stop fooling around!
How many are you?
Can't you hear?
On the blue water of Duman River
The oarsman set sail-
Long ago, my darling
boarded his boat.
The boat has sailed off.
Where has it gone?
I can't see them.
I miss my darling
Comrade Kim!
I miss my darling
When will she come back?
Hey, get up.
Comrade Kim!
Reading during a
combat? Put that away.
Who's there?
Seomjin River.
Baekdu Mountain.
Things don't look good in Gagok.
The 1st squad stays here. The
2nd squad and patrol, come with me.
We're heading to Gagok.
Yes, sir.
- Patrol!
- Second squad!
Comrade Jeon!
You stay here and if something
happens, send word to Gagok.
Yes, sir!
It looks like the
enemy has retreated.
How about we go to
the first squad now?
Wait. This is just a
calm before the storm.
Yes, sir.
Comrade Kim, are
you writing poetry?
No, sir.
Is it a crime to fear death?
I've always known
you as a brave soldier.
I scolded Comrade
Ma in front of the others
for being a coward.
Then I thought it over.
Isn't it human to
fear one's death?
That's very poetic of you.
It feels wrong to fear
death, which is so human,
because we're in a war.
Geez, it's freezing.
I can't stand this cold
anymore. I'm going inside.
No, you can't.
We must keep watch until
the platoon commander returns.
Black dogs or yellow dogs, they're
too afraid of us to move at night.
Do we really have to stay
up all night in this cold?
Let's drink just a little bit.
What are you doing now?
You know what I'm
doing. I'm drinking.
You'll get yourself
in hot water.
I don't care. This
is warming me up.
Comrade Kang! This way! Hurry!
I joined the partisan guerillas
because the times forced me
to choose between
the right or left.
If this war can guarantee
better lives for all of us,
of course, I'll
gladly give my life.
But being forced
to kill one another,
not to mention kill
our own countrymen
for a better future...
the irony of it all is...
Such an emotional conflict will
only make you lose your fighting spirit.
You had enough.
Stop being a wimp
and take a sip.
There you go!
Damn it, we finished it off.
Damn.
We shoot just to survive.
If we have to shoot
only to survive...
You probably can't stand your
life coming to such a trivial end.
But if we can make
history with our guns,
I think it's worth
risking our lives.
I don't know.
This war is too complicated
to be convinced of it.
Comrade Kim!
You've been acting strange since
Comrade Jo left for the command center.
Who said that, huh?
Who said I scooped
horseshit in the cavalry?
Who the hell said it?
Are you saying you really
fought, riding on a horse?
Who else would then?
When I was a tailor in
Seoul a long time ago,
I rode all the seamstresses
at the tailor shop.
Who am I? I'm the great Ma
Dalho! Ma Dalho, you know!
You mean Comrade Jo Yeongja?
She comes from a landlord
family, and she loved books.
One day she read my
poem and fell for me.
When I joined the partisans,
she decided to come with me.
She's too fragile and
innocent to be indoctrinated.
Then what cause is
worth risking her life for?
Those were the good times.
Sure they were.
So we're now fighting to
get those good old days back.
You're right. You're
younger than me but
you sure sound more
grown-up than me.
Who's there?
What the heck!
Seomjin River!
Who the hell is Seomjin
River? Huh? I'm going to...
Isn't the sound from Sagusil?
I think so.
Comrade Jeon!
Comrade Jeon...
Hey!
Commander Comrade...
We got hit...
It's all over now.
Thank you for everything...
Hey...
Bastards! They've been boozing!
Mom! Mom!
So, a house full
of reactionaries.
Mom! Mom!
This is a liberated area.
After our forces
made a partial retreat,
you must have ratted
on us to the yellow dogs.
Tell the truth!
You told them, didn't you?
Mom! Mom!
Platoon commander,
take away the boy,
and round up the
village people in the lot.
Yes, sir.
Mom! Mom!
Everybody, out!
Your husband
is a police officer,
but you stayed behind
in the liberated area
to dig up information,
didn't you?
Your husband died recently?
How did he drop dead?
He was killed by you people.
That's why you became their
snitch! To avenge his death!
Everyone, move away.
The boy's mother bit her
tongue and bled to death.
Is there anything
you want to say?
Look up.
Long live the People's Republic!
Applaud!
Welcome the death of
Comrade Hwang who disgraced
the national liberation
war of the brave partisans.
Applaud!
Everyone is leaving.
What's your relationship with
Comrade Park Minja, the medic?
She just treated
me as her patient...
You're all cowards, you know.
Your fate and mine, what?
What poem is that?
It's a poem by Lord Byron.
Who's Byron? Is he an
anti-communist writer?
Well, he wasn't a Bolshevik...
Fine.
You've been quite
devoted to your tasks.
But this could be considered
as a serious problem.
Indulging in romance,
at a time like this,
is to commit a grave mistake
against our country and people.
Anthing you want to say?
No, sir.
So you agree with me?
Yes, sir.
Pack your things. You're to
report at the command center.
Excuse me?
Don't worry. It's not
because of your note.
The communications team
requested your transfer.
An agent has come
from Mt. Hoemun.
As the Comrade Hwang pointed
out before he was executed,
you're too soft and sentimental.
Strip away that side of you.
Then, you'll make a great
warrior wherever you go.
I understand, sir.
Take care!
Platoon commander!
Please give this to comrade Jo
Yeongja at the command center.
I jotted down a
few lines to her,
thinking you'd understand.
No matter where you
hide in the winter, I can...
Where are the women restationed,
the ones from our company?
Probably to the new company
made up of women only.
At the command center?
They're a combat unit,
so they can't be at the rear.
If you have something,
I can pass it on.
As long as it's not a
letter or something.
Never mind then.
What about the medic unit?
Both of them take a full
night to get there on foot.
Well, I should have one more.
Jeollabuk-do Regional Party Guerilla
Command Center, Mr. Hoemun, Sunchang-gun
Look, who's here?
Oh, Comrade Lee!
You've come all the way here!
This is a newcomer, Comrade Min.
Hello. Oh, finally! I
meet a real partisan!
What are you doing now?
We actually called
for you because of this.
Peop arm chin arm pus to Jeche
Peop arm chin arm pus to Jeche
This must be a kind of encoding.
This must be a kind of encoding.
This much was
possible because of me.
Did you see the
water-turbine-generator by the brook?
That's my handiwork!
Goodness, how did you
figure it out so quickly?
Well, I just hope it's right.
People's army and Chinese
army push to Jecheon?
As the Chinese army's
intervention turned the tide of the war,
the days at the command
center were relatively peaceful.
I was even able to send
out wartime newsletters.
Those were the most carefree
days since I joined the partisans.
Still, I couldn't afford
to visit Comrade Minja.
I couldn't possibly look
for the women company
in order to pass on
Comrade Kim Yeong's letter.
I missed them-
The 2nd platoon members
including Comrade Kim Yeong.
And Park Minja
at the medic unit.
However...
March 1951
Comrades, hurry and retreat!
- Where to?
- Muster at the Daesumal grounds!
All the troops from the province
will retreat from Mt. Heomun tonight.
We'll split into two groups.
One group will go to Mt. Sobaek
and the other to Byeonsanbando.
- What about us?
- To Mt.Sobaek.
That's where the
command center is headed.
Comrade! Comrade!
Do you know which way
the medic unit is headed?
The medic unit? I heard
they'll be also split into two,
because both will
have casualities.
All right, let's go.
Is this...
Is this the medic unit?
Is this the medic unit?
Do you know a medic
named Park Minja?
Ah, Comrade Park is
going to Byeonsanbando.
Where is she now?
That way. They just left.
Is this the medic unit?
It's back there.
Excuse me.
Where is the medic unit?
I don't know.
Is this the medic unit?
Medic unit? No.
In the end, I couldn't
find Park Minja and
I had to move north
along Mt. Sobaek
with 400 or so men of
Jeollabuk-do People's army-
Meanwhile, the US-Korea
combined forces were pushing
north again toward
the 38 parallel-
May 1951 Mt. Baekwun, Ham
yang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
Another dark cloud
loomed over us-
A horrible endemic called
"relapsing fever" that broke out
in Jeollabuk-do company
swept over our company as well.
High fevers recurred
along with severe
pain and aftereffects-
Since we had no medical
treatment, we could do nothing
against the disease
that claimed many lives-
Is this the tree that is supposed
to be good for the fever?
Yes.
That's what I heard.
Comrade Kim Yeong!
Platoon Commander!
About your letter...
When I arrived at
the command center,
I became so busy handling
the communication work
that I couldn't look for her.
And I lost your letter
in all the commotion.
I'm sorry.
Did you hear anything about her?
Nothing at all.
There's rumor she died on the
night we escaped Mt. Hoemun.
Some said she went west.
It's all my fault.
Got a pencil?
Sorry, I don't.
What's with that fountain pen?
This?
I can't use it. There's no ink.
Then, you'd better
throw it away.
Why bother to carry it around?
There's no way
I'd throw it away.
Comrade Song, what
brought you here?
Oh, hello.
You know Comrade Park
Minja who went west, don't you?
I just came back from there.
When she heard I was a messenger
agent from the command center,
she came and asked
me of your news.
Really?
So I told her you
caught the fever.
And then, she gave this to me.
She asked me to give it to you.
Isn't that aspirin?
I envy you, comrade.
Well, I've got to go now.
Have anything to say to her?
I can pass the word
next time when I'm there.
All right, then.
- Wait, Comrade!
- Yeah?
In Byeonsan, did you meet a
comrade called Jo Yeongja?
She's petite and
has a slender face.
I don't think I
know a Jo Yeongja.
We used to call her White Lily.
Next time you're in Byeonsan,
please look for someone
called White Lily...
Hold on...
Is that a letter?
I can't take that.
It's against the rules.
I'll give her your
regards if I see her.
Well, take care of yourselves.
Comrades! The
Committee Leader is here!
These men are here to pick out recruits
on the orders of Comrade Lee Hyeonsang
from the Southern Guerilla
Command of the People's Army.
Please follow their orders.
If you're starting to feel
better, please volunteer.
If you transfer, you'll
have more to eat.
We weren't fully recovered yet.
But the promise of
a better food supply,
was enough to convince
Comrade Kim Yeong and me.
The South of Mt.
Deogyu June 1951
Thank you for
making the long trip.
I am Kim Heungbok,
Commander of Victory Division.
We have decided to reassign you
disregarding your
former rank and post.
The goal of our struggle is not simply
an expansion of the liberated territory.
Our goal is to draw as many
enemies as possible to our side
and thereby set
up a second front
to create an advantage
for the people's army.
Accordingly, we'll be constantly
on the move to disrupt the enemy.
You will soon see why we
are called Victory Division.
Soldiers, show the new
comrades to their troops!
- First row, Daegu troop.
- Daegu troop.
- Second row, Seoul troop.
- Seoul troop.
- Third row, Jeonju troop.
- Jeonju troop.
- Fourth row, Yeosu troop.
- Yeosu troop.
Dismissed!
Take your weapons and uniforms.
Comrade Platoon Commander!
These men look pitiful!
In the old days, a real hero
always had a bushy beard,
isn't that right?
These days the soldiers
look like newlyweds.
That fever must've
been pretty tough, huh?
But still, look at you!
Why don't you get to it then!
Excuse me...
Are you from Cheongju?
Ah! I remember you.
You represented Cheongwon-gun
at the speech contest.
You remember! I'm
so glad to see you.
You're the first person I've
seen from home since joining up.
Fall in!
Fall in!
Accidental discharge!
Which one of you
dumb-ass men did it?
For that one misfired
bullet, you've got to steal 200.
You sure you won't
lose your balls next?
If the enemy were nearby, it
would've been your neck on the line.
Okay! Move out!
After leaving Mt. Deogyu,
the Victory Division
was always on the move,
marching and fighting.
We attacked police
watchtowers in broad daylight.
The partisans were as
ferocious as we'd heard.
And the soldiers'
morale was high-
Comrades!
That's Dalddeugi up there!
We'll be at Mt. Jiri soon.
The mountain our teacher
always talked about...
The very place where we
will stay to make our base
for revolution in the south.
If all the partisan
forces gather,
maybe we'll get to see our
teacher, Lee Hyeonsang.
Sounds like a dream.
Let's roll!
Comrade Lee, when was
the last time you bathed?
I don't remember my last time.
Hey, what are you looking at?
What a sight!
Teacher!
Teacher!
I saw the legendary leader of
the partisans for the first time.
Lee Hyeonsang.
He used his experience from the
independence movement against the Japanese
to lead the partisans when the Southern
Worker's Party went underground.
He was an ardent
communist and nationalist-
But he was a lonely fighter,
politically rejecting North Korea
and staying loyal to the Worker's Party
with a dream of revolution in the South.
After spending a night
at Eungseok Peak,
we planned a joint attack with
Gyeongsangnamdo partisans
on two police watchtowers that
blocked Mt. Jiri's south entrance
Let's carry out
the attack tonight.
Enemy attack!
Enemy attack at the barbed
wire! Shoot a flare bomb!
It looks like we're outmatched.
This isn't working. We should take out
the watchtower with the 81 mm mortar.
But there are civilian
houses right next to it.
We've only cut two holes in
the wire after 5 hours of fighting.
We've never done so
badly in a battle before.
It's going to bring
down the troops' morale.
How about forming
a special squad
to evacuate the residents
near the watchtower,
and then hitting
it with mortars?
They've quieted down
now after a good shelling.
They won't give up so
easily. Isn't that right?
Flare bomb! Flare bomb!
I'll take care of the
watchtower with Comrade Choi.
You all go and carry
out the operation.
Be careful!
Make sure not to kill the
civilians while evacuating them.
Comrade Choi, keep shooting.
Don't be frightened!
This area's gonna be
mortared, so you'll have to leave.
Sorry. I'll need
these blankets too.
Comrade Choi!
Get over here!
Hurry up and take these!
Hurry and get
out of here! Hurry!
Hurry up! Run!
Hurry up!
- Prepare for launch!
- Yes, sir.
Fire!
Charge!
Comrade Kim Huisuk, Political
Commissar Comrade Lee Bonggak,
and some others who
were injured in the battle
headed for the disabled
soldier's hideout in Georimgol.
As my movement was
impaired by a case of beriberi,
I was sent along supposedly
to take care of them.
Wow!
It's lucky you got hit in
the thigh, Comrade Kim.
A little further up this way,
and nobody'd want to marry you.
Listen to the bullshit
this bastard is spewing.
Face as pretty as a flower,
but that mouth of yours!
You do look a bit
more womanly like this.
You've got shit for
ideology, comrade.
Ideology!
If it's revolutionary ideology you
want, I'm from the damn best class.
The labor class. I'm from
the most foundational class!
And yet all you talk about
is women and booze.
So what about that?
You don't like
women, Comrade Lee?
No man dislikes booze and women!
Try saying that when the
Political Commissar is around.
You think I can't
say it in front of him?
Say what, Comrade Ju?
Oh, right...
You haven't given me
any orders today, so I was...
Is that so?
Comrade Park, you're
healed up now, right?
Yes, sir!
Then return to
your post tomorrow.
Yes, sir!
Whoa, that was close!
It's a shame, Comrade Lee.
What would your wife do if
she saw you here cooking?
No such worries.
I'm not married.
So I'm the only one
worrying about you, then?
That boy sings about
cherry trees all day long.
May well be his girl ran off
to Seoul with another guy.
What would a little boy
with nothing but peach fuzz
know about love?
Do you know anything
about love then?
Where would I
find time for love?
My dad was beaten to death
by the right-wing Youth League.
Mom was lashed for having
a communist daughter.
While I was nursing her, I
was so filled with rage that
I joined the partisans for
revenge, and left her behind.
Maybe I should have
thought it through a bit more.
Is she alive... Is she dead...
Yellow dogs, black dogs...
They all look like the
people who killed my parents.
I want to get my hands on
them and rip their guts out!
After three weeks, we
recovered and we left the hideout.
A messenger came from the
division to lead us back to our posts.
They say when we return, you
and I are going to get medals
for fighting so well
in the last battle.
Stop talking nonsense.
Really! It's true!
The Political Commissar said so.
Comrade Political Commissar,
is it true? We're getting medals?
Comrade Lee Tae,
Come join the Political
Affairs Team when you return.
Me? How could I...
No.
It'd be our loss to leave
you as a low-ranking soldier.
In late September, all partisan
troops assembled at Piagol.
There, Chief Commander
Lee Hyeonsang
Piagol, Mt. Jiri
presented the medals
himself in a ceremony.
The soldiers of the special
squad during the last battle
received medals
for their service-
Comrade Kim Huisuk was
promoted to Battalion Commander.
There was a huge
celebration that night.
Comrades!
This is Comrade Lee Tae,
who I mentioned previously.
Meet your new comrades
on the Political Affairs Team.
Comrade Park Hyeonggyu,
a general education officer.
Welcome!
Comrade Yang Jiha
Glad to have you.
- Comrade Lee Donggyu.
- Looking forward to working with you!
Comrade Choe
Munhui a culture officer
Nice to meet you.
"Party Membership Name." Lee Tae
Good.
You are now a member of the
great Worker's Party of Korea.
You will work as the editor
and wartime recordkeeper
of the battlefront newspaper
"Jirisan: Road to Victory."
That fall, the partisan
forces staged attacks at
Gokseong and destroyed
the Jeolla rail line.
But counter forces began
attacks, forcing us to roam between
Gyeongsang and Jeolla Province
on the northeast side of Mt. Jiri.
With winter approaching,
we camped at Hakdong-gol.
At the battle front, armistice
talks that had started in Gaeseong
moved to Panmunjeom
and on November 27,
they almost agreed on a
temporary ceasefire line.
The ceasefire talks
seem to be going well.
Is it ceasefire talks
or armistice talks?
It's all the same, isn't it?
The issue is what they will
decide about us, the partisans.
That's obvious.
We are a legitimate troop
belonging to one of the belligerents,
the People's Army
Command, are we not?
When the war is over, we will
be returned to North Korea...
And we'll be welcomed as
heroes of the People's Republic.
Isn't that right?
Sounds like a dream.
What if our guerrilla
forces are not recognized
as a regular army, but
as a criminal organization?
What are you talking
about, Comrade Lee?
The People's Republic will surely
request our safe return in the talks.
No more of this.
With things as they are,
ceasefire is just a collusion.
For national unification
and the people's liberation,
ceasefire or armistice
must be out of the question.
Comrade Lee, your
turn to stand guard.
It's freezing! I did one
round and I'm frozen solid.
There's lot's of talk about ceasefire
and the South's winter offensive.
As the ceasefire talks proceed,
the fights at the front will continue
as both sides attempt to secure
an advantageous armistice line.
It means we have to lure as
many enemy forces as we can
to these mountains, to help
the People's Army at the front.
If we draw off one division
to fight us, we've done
the work of a full
division, and if one corps
is dispatched to fight us,
we're as good as a full corps.
In order to strengthen the second
line of battle and get winter supplies,
we'll join the
Geyeongnam 57th Division
and attack a few
strategic locations around.
Please write a rousing
speech for this occasion
to read out to all the comrades.
I will be waiting for your
writing to get our blood boiling.
Even if three hundred
of us are annihilated,
we'd have done more
than an entire division,
or even an entire corps.
We win if we win, and
we win even if we lose.
Hagdong-gol, Mt.
Jiri December 1951
We have the
advantage in this fight.
And finally it is time
to sacrifice our blood
for our nation and its people.
Damn! The information
must have leaked.
Ready for combat.
The bastards are pouring in.
It's a blitz for sure!
It looks like an entire
division is attacking us.
How about retreating for now?
Contact the emergency
line in each division.
First retreat line, Chilseongol.
Second retreat line, Georimgol.
In order to weaken their attack,
disperse our
troops as we retreat.
What the hell!
Keep your ground,
don't fall back!
Comrade, there are orders
to retreat to Chilson-gol.
Damn... how are
we supposed retreat?
We don't have enough
men or weapons to fight back.
Come on. Hurry up!
Fall back!
Comrade Choi!
Mom, mom...
Mother...
Yes...
You've done enough,
so go be with your mother.
Light fires along the ridge and let
'em know that they're surrounded.
Yes, sir.
When the morning comes, block
all roads to Chilseon and Georim,
and close in on them.
We're surrounded on all sides.
If we can't make out of here
by morning, we're all dead meat.
How bad is the damage?
Divisions got mixed up in
the retreat so I'm not sure,
but it seems more than half
are either dead or missing.
The fire has died out
on the cliff over there.
No other way but
to go down the cliff.
Let's go.
40.000 soldiers were sent
to Mt. Jiri to drive us out,
a joint attack by the Field Corps
under the command of Baek Seonyeop,
and the Capital Infantry Division of
the Southwest Combat Command.
We retreated in our platoons-
We trudged through
snow-covered mountains
to reassemble at the first
retreat line, Georim-gol.
To the valley!
Come on!
Comrade Huisuk!
Keep moving!
Here!
Comrade Huisuk, you can make it!
I can't...
Oh no, you're bleeding...
I'm fine...
Comrade Huisuk,
get up! Stay with us.
You have to go see your mother.
Mother...
Huisuk...
Pass.
Pass. Turn around.
Pass. Turn around.
Pass. Turn around.
Pass. Turn around.
Pass. Turn around.
Pass. Turn around.
Pass. Turn around.
Pass. Turn around.
Get up!
The dogs have pulled out!
Get up now!
Wake up!
Fast!
Comrade Kim Yeong!
You are alive!
Is this the Yeosu troop?
No, it isn't.
While retreating, I got
mixed up with your troop.
I see.
You can light fires.
Warm up for a bit and head to
Georim-gol over Samsin Peak.
We have rice stored there.
You can eat steaming rice!
We have been on the
run for a week without food.
Moreover, most men
have frostbitten legs
and cannot even walk properly.
If we get no support
from the North, we won't...
Look here! You're so-called
a general education officer!
How can you be mouthing
off such a defeatist speech?
All I'm saying is that
we need to face the truth.
We've fought in the
direst of conditions.
We are worn down
with cold and hunger.
At the time of the
Bolshevik revolution,
Siberian partisans got supplies
delivered to them by trucks.
The partisans in Manchuria
during the Japanese colonial times
farmed fields to get food
during their struggle...
But what about us?
Mt. Jiri is the best place for a
base in the South for partisans...
but we are stuck here
within 15km in radius.
We cannot even send a signal to the
North much less have communication.
Comrade.
Instead of such a defeatist attitude,
you need a strong historical conciousness!
No matter what difficulties we're
faced with, history is always on our side!
- We will be victorious!
- Yes, of course!
There is no victory
on either side.
Our tragedy began when
we could not liberate ourselves
from Japanese imperialists
with our own strength.
Instead, we gained our liberation
by the hands of other nations.
These are the embers from where
the never-ending struggle
of the people in the South
and the tragedy of this
so-called civil war emerged.
Whether it's the South
or the North that wins,
it won't be the victory
of our Korean people
but the victory of
Soviet Union or America.
Comrade.
Say that again!
Let's calm down.
Leaders such as you should not
waste time on inappropriate discussions.
Why don't we come up
with some constructive plans
to boost our tired
comrades' morales?
Take some rest.
I was listening to the
debate amongst the leaders.
When I was in Hakdong-gol, I met Comrade
Lee Bonggak of the Political Committee.
I heard you recommended
me to the Political division.
I heard you rejected.
To fight as an ordinary soldier.
By fighting the enemy head on
I wanted to know why
White Lily joined the partisans
and the reason we
have to be apart.
I felt that only then I could find
the real meaning of this war and
the true identity of the
enemy at my gunpoint.
Look at our comrades.
At this moment,
aren't our enemies
hunger and cold?
And the lack of sleep?
Right.
The most unbearable
thing is that
faced with pain,
hunger, and cold,
I'm left with nothing but
the instinct to survive.
White Lily and the
meaning of this war...
I've forgetten all that.
All I want is to survive.
Comrade Park!
Look up!
Up!
Air Strike!
With bombers supporting
them, the South Korean army
closed in on us.
We were becoming
more and more exhausted.
Comrade, look at
the state you are in!
You have to take
care of your feet!
These are the feet of the
republic! The feet of the people!
The line got cut off.
Some idiot must've
dozed off and strayed off.
Comrade, you must bring
them back and join us.
We will slow down for you.
Alright.
We will mark our way
with broken branches.
I will go with him.
Daeseon-gol in Mt. Jiri
Comrade!
Comrade!
A medic fainted from exhaustion,
so I stopped to take care of her...
And the others?
Others?
There are more who got lost.
We are here to bring them back.
Comrade! Comrade!
It's Georim-gol if we
cross this mountain!
We can join our comrades there.
Stay strong.
I can see them.
They're eating!
Comrades, am I really alive?
Where are the others?
Where is the emergency
meeting point?
Where the hidden weapons...
The arms depot?
It's in Banyabong It
takes a day to get there.
We have to walk
over another ridge?
My feet are rotting
away from frostbite.
It'll be two days, not one.
Let's go.
We have been starving
for over ten days.
We haven't slept either.
So? We still have
to go back to our line.
If not, we'll either freeze to death
or become feed for those dogs.
How about we go around
Yongsu Rock and Imgeol-ryeong?
Right.
It would be easier.
There is a farmer's mud hut
before crossing Imgeol-ryeong.
We'll be able to get food.
We can reach there
before evening today.
Come on.
Defection card-
Look at your former comrades-
They have found happy new lives!
They say if you surrender
with this, they'd let you live.
They won't kill you at least.
This place is the same.
There isn't a even a
rotten potato to eat.
The yellow dogs must've
moved the farmers away
and ordered them not to
leave a single bag of rice.
Let's go.
Comrade Ha can't go any further.
His legs have
rotted up to the knee.
When I rolled his pants up,
He fainted at seeing
the state of his legs.
He didn't know it was that bad.
It's a miracle he
walked all this way.
He'll die if we leave him.
No!
My leg! My leg! Where is my leg?
My leg! My leg!
My leg...
Comrade Kim, look
after Comrade Ha.
I'm going to have
a look outside.
Comrade Kim, my leg!
Comrade Ha...
In your state, it will be
hard to reach Ban ya-bong.
It's a downward slope
from here to the village.
You'll be able to go down
even if you have to roll down.
Show this to the enemy.
They won't kill you then.
No, I don't want to!
I am scared to go alone.
I want to go with you.
Comrade Ha, this is the
way for all of us to stay alive.
No!
The platoon commander and
medic went down last night.
What?
They ran away.
Damned cowards!
I will never do that!
You are different from them.
You're surrendering
because you have no choice.
Comrade Kim!
Comrade!
Comrade Kim, take me with you!
Comrade Kim, please!
Comrade Kim!
Comrade Kim! Please!
Please!
If we take you, all of
us will freeze to death.
Here.
Surrender...
Or...
Comrade Kim!
Comrade Kim!
Comrades!
Comrades!
Comrades!
Comrade Kim!
He won't commit
suicide, will he?
Let's go.
Comrade!
Don't move.
The platoon commander
must've ratted on us.
It's good in a way. They
will find Comrade Ha.
Come on. Let's run.
Stay back!
Don't come any closer.
It's dangerous!
Stay back, I said!
Put the safety pin back in.
You must've seen the card.
We'll let you go if you surrender.
Now!
Comrade Ha! He
died because of me!
Search the house.
Let's go.
The hut is empty.
Sir!
Comrade!
I cannot go any further
Com... Comrade!
Cease fire!
The footprints end here.
He couldn't have gone far.
Search the area thoroughly!
We will mark our tracks
with broken tree branches.
March 9, 1952
I was captured in Ouigongli
village, Sicheonmyeon.
16 months later, the armistice
agreement was signed.
In the agreement, there were
clauses about demolition of armory and,
the retrieval and transfer
of casualties of the war.
But there was no mention
of those who were alive and
left behind to wander
the southern mountains.
Between 1949 and 1954, 20,000
people from both the South Korean Army
and the partisans were killed in
the Sobaek and Jiri Mountains.
In the three years
of the Korean War,
1-3 million people died
and 1-1 million went
missing from both sides.
This film is dedicated to those
who lost their lives in the war.
Translated by the Translation Academy
of LTI of Korea Edited by Alyssa Kim
This film is based on the
real-life experience of Lee Tae
a reporter who was
a partisan guerrilla
during the Korean War-
North Korean
Partisan in South Korea
Ahn Sung-ki
Choi Min-soo, Choi Jin-sil
Lee Hye-young, Kang Tae-ki
Twist Kim, Cho Hyoung-ki
Na Ki-su, Sin Yun-jeong
Dokko Young-jae, Hur Ki-ho
Lee Eun-sok, Kim Yeong-sin
Special appearances from Mun
Chang-keun, Nam Po-dong, Jang Seung-hwa
Aug. 15, 1945 Liberation
from Japanese Colonial Rule
Original novel by Lee Tae
Aug. 20, 1945 Soviet
forces occupy North Korea
The 38th Parallel
Sept. 9, 1945 US forces
occupy South Korea
Planning by Park Keon-seop
Feb. 15, 1946 Establishment of National Front
for Democracy by Park Hun-yong and Yo Un-hyong
Screenplay by Jang Sun-woo
Oct. 2, 1946 Daegu Uprising Nov. 23
Founding of Worker's Party of South Korea
Cinematography by Yoo Young-kil
May, July 1947 Breakdown in US-Soviet Joint
Commission negotiations, beginning of the Cold War Era
Lighting by Kim Dong-ho
July 19, 1947 Assassination of Yo
Un-hyong, leader of Laboring People's Party
Music by Shin Byung-ha
Apr. 3, 1948 Jeju Uprising
Editing by Kim Hyeon
Apr. 19, 1948 North-South
party talks held in Pyongyang
Recording by Lee Young-kil
May 10, 1948 independent
elections held in South Korea
Sound department
by Kim Kyeong-il
Oct. 20, 1948
Yeosu-Suncheon Rebellion
Sound effects by Yang Dae-ho
June 25, 1949 Assassination of Kim Gu,
leader of the Korea Independence Party
Props by Kim Han-sang
Costumes by Shin Kyung-shim
June 25, 1950 Outbreak
of the Korean War
Special effects by Lee Jeong-il
July 12, 1950 The command of
South Korean military transferred to US
Makeup by Jeong Jun-ho
Artistic Director Cho Yung-sam
Sept. 2, 1950 The
Great Naktong Offensive
Production manager Kim Hyeon-taek
Assistant director Shim Seung-bo
Sept. 15, 1950 The landing
of US forces at Incheon
Producer & Director
Chung Ji-young
After liberation, the power struggle
between the US and Soviet Union
escalated the left-right
ideological conflict into real battles,
leading to the outbreak
of the Korean War-
During this turbulent period, I was
working as a reporter for Hapdong News.
When the People's Army captured
Seoul and took over Hapdong News,
I became a war correspondent for
the North Korean Central News Agency
Sept. 1950, Jeonju
and was stationed in Jeonju.
North Korean Central
News Agency Jeonju Branch
Protect Our People's Freedom!
The line's down.
What's going on?
Maybe the Americans have landed?
You worry too much.
After spending all their energy
on geishas in Okinawa,
Kakinawa, wherever,
the Yankees won't have the
strength to do anything here.
Isn't that so, comrade?
Get your things together.
The Americans have
already landed at Osik-do.
What?
But that's only two
hours from here.
Right.
They'll soon be
here. We must hurry.
Goodness, this isn't good.
Everyone's heading
North. Where are we going?
We have orders from the
Jeollabuk-do Regional Party.
Excuse me?
We're to join them at the Mt.
Yeopwun Guerrilla Command.
What?
Cheer up, all of you.
You must be the journalist
comrades joining the Regional Party.
Yes, and who are you, comrade?
Pleasure to meet you all.
I'm the famous Grey
Heron of Mt. Yeopwun.
Let's go!
That was the first time
I met a real partisan.
Comrade Grey Heron led us
to the Jeollabuk-do Partisan
hideout in Mt. Yeopwun.
It was an encounter
with a new world
It was an encounter with a new world The Guerrilla Command
of the Workerf. s Party at the foot of Mt. Yeopwun.
The Guerrilla Command of the
Worker's Party at the foot of Mt. Yeopwun.
That would fill me with
both fear and curiosity.
This way, comrade.
Take care, comrade!
- Take care.
- Let's go, comrades.
Right, follow me comrades.
Being a journalist and not a
communications technician,
I was assigned to a combat unit-
Look after yourself, comrade.
From today you are assigned
to the Fourth Company.
We'll now divide into platoons.
Comrade Seong, you have
experience, so you'll be the patrol leader.
Understood.
A journalist?
You took part in the student
movement. What did you do?
I protested against the US military
government's setting up universities in Korea
and Syngman Rhee's party's founding
of a separate government in the South.
Any military experience?
I learned how to shoot a
gun in the Japanese army...
Drafted to fight
against liberation then...
Anyhow, we should make
use of your military experience.
I'll make you the 2nd
Platoon Commander.
As a petite intelligentsia,
I hope fighting as a partisan will
turn you into a true communist.
Yes, sir.
A Yeonhui College drop-out...
Our company's going
to be very intellectual.
2nd Platoon.
Yes, sir.
Comrade...
Partisans have
to be brave, right?
Aren't you scared, though?
Until our nation is liberated, the
struggle must continue everywhere.
Let's go to sleep.
Everywhere?
Who's there? I
didn't say anything.
Comrade, put on your shoes.
Now!
You better be
careful from now on.
You didn't pay attention
during the training today.
Wet or dry, a partisan
must have their shoes on
at all times, weren't
you listening?
Sleep okay?
Yes.
Comrade, what's wrong?
My... spoon...
- What? You lost your Party ID?
- What did I do with it?
Ah, here it is.
Who's that lady?
We came here together
from my hometown.
Still, you can't just
give out your ID like that.
Didn't you hear at
the training, comrade?
That spoon on a corpse
tells us they were a comrade.
Then we'll at least cover
the body with leaves.
Have some.
Hey, you fell. You okay?
After some basic training,
we left for our first mission.
Comrades!
We haven't eaten
a thing all day.
We'd better have some
breakfast in the village down there.
As you know, that village
isn't one of ours yet.
The enemy might jump
out anytime, anywhere.
So you need to finish eating
within five minutes of getting there.
Our strategy is...
- 1st Platoon!
- Yes.
Close off all the roads as
soon as you reach the village.
The rest just go
into any house and
grab and eat
whatever you can find.
Those who've eaten
can make rice balls
for the 1st Platoon comrades.
I'm sorry, ma'am.
Goodness!
Thank you for the food, ma'am.
Comrade Ma, this
is for the 1st Platoon.
It's a big operation
this time, then?
Winter is coming, so
we'll gather supplies and
launch an attack to
show them our fire power.
All the regional command troops will be
deployed to attack at once to Mt. Hoemun.
Godammit, he saw us.
Comrades, that way!
Women, take cover!
Comrade Lee, we need to retreat!
Damn it! Retreat!
Retreat and cover fire!
Comrade Jeon, run!
Run or you'll die!
Commander, I left my rifle.
The rifle won't shoot!
Commander, the rifle's broken!
Everyone, over
the hill to Sarak!
Comrade Kim, look
after Comrade Jeon!
Do not retreat!
They were following us.
Good thing we came this way.
- Down this way.
- Yes, sir.
Machine gun, over here.
Are you hurt?
Are you really okay?
The Silence of Love
Comrade Jeon,
hand me that towel.
What are you talking about?
Comrade Jeon
left his rifle and fled.
We need to follow orders.
But his situation was...
Situation?
There is never a good
excuse for dumping a rifle.
But isn't a man's life
more valuable than a rifle?
You're too soft and
sentimental. Enough of that.
We can't be victorious in our
liberation with that kind of mentality.
Well...
We made good progress today.
Let's not dwell on this.
The commander has a good point.
We've seized loads of weapons,
but we need people to use them.
But... the Company
Commander is...
After we buried Company
Commander Choi in the mountains,
we received an order
for reassignment.
The Command had already
relocated to Mt. Hoemun.
We, the 4th Company, were
reassigned to the Eagle troops.
Maengbong, who saved us
that day, became the commander,
and we set up base at
the foot of Mt. Baekryeon.
Together with the azaleas
In the distant hot haze
I see your face.
Over the fields
the shepherd's pipe
lulls the baby to sleep-
I see your face.
Wait for me, my love,
Until the fight is over.
Jo Yeongja, Bae Bongsuk
Lee Eunha, Jeong
Eunok, and Kang Seonhui.
Comrades, you've been transferred
to the Command. Leave right away.
But, Commander...
What?
Comrade Jo is...
What about Comrade Jo?
It's nothing.
At your service!
Ah! Comrade Park.
Are you unwell?
No, I'm fine.
I look forward to
working together.
I've also been assigned
here to the Eagle Regiment.
Ah, that's good.
Then you can use my
personal washing station.
Thank you.
The bullet wound is infected.
I can't believe he didn't
tell anyone about it.
It's really swollen.
Hold it tightly.
How does it feel?
Doesn't it hurt?
The damned night of Silla, do
you hear the bell of Bulguksa...
Comrade!
Keep going. The pain is gone.
Hear the bell of Bulguksa...
Passing wanderer
Comrade Park!
- Rest your...
- The small one.
Weary legs
The moonlight-.-
Comrade, could you help?
Comrade Park, take this.
Nov. 1950 Wolchi
village, Sunchang-gun
Hurry up!
I'm exhausted!
The night of Silla...
The bell of...
Comrade Shin!
They attacked us just as
everyone left for Cheongwung.
Fire! Fire!
Run! To that stone
wall down below!
Second squad, to the well!
Comrade Jeon!
The smoke will cover you.
Keep running to the foot of the hill.
From there, throw a grenade.
When it goes off,
we'll make a run for it.
Now run!
- Commander...
- Just go!
So we burn the
whole village down?
Yes, our order is to burn down
every village they get supplies from!
But, Commander...
Why doesn't it explode?
Listen, Comrade Lee.
We can't take you with us.
Behind this wall,
you're safe from the fire.
When we're gone,
do what you have to do.
Comrade Minja!
Follow me.
Now!
We're evacuating.
So we don't have to
burn this one down?
Dunno. Maybe we'll as we leave.
Wait, it's the next house.
Is it?
We're in enemy grounds.
We have to get out of here!
Private Kim!
Come with me.
Ma'am.
Yes?
Did you see two
soldiers pass by here?
Oh...
They went that way.
They're gone.
You haven't eaten, have you?
No.
- Ma'am.
- Yes?
What's the matter?
I found this over there.
What is it?
A spoon that belongs
to communist guerillas.
What? Communist guerillas?
Who are you?
Thank you so much, ma'am.
When you report this later,
tell them we ran off to Galjae.
This way.
You think this is a picnic?
What if the enemy show up?
I was hoping our
people would hear it.
That nap brought
me back to life.
What?
After running for your
life, you collapsed.
You can hardly call it
a nap. You passed out.
Oh, did I?
That's why you didn't scream
when I was treating you.
My hometown was
In the mountains
full of flowers..-
Who taught you how
to whistle with grass?
My brother did.
We lost our parents
when we were young.
After finishing school,
I worked at the Daejeon Provincial Hospital,
but I decided to go with my brother.
Before the war, I worked
at the medical clinic
at the Wunam Dam
construction site.
But when the war broke out,
my brother got drafted.
A little later, I was told
that he died in battle.
When I returned to Daejeon,
the hospital had changed
to People's Field Hospital.
So I became a medic.
I was sent to the front. But
during the Nakdong retreat,
I fell behind and ended
up joining this company.
You ended up siding with
those who killed your brother.
It's hard for me to understand.
I guess it must be.
But I don't understand
why there are two sides.
And injured people need me,
no matter what side they're on.
It's getting colder.
You must stay warm
for your wound to heal.
Hold me close.
Get up!
I'm a platoon commander
of the Eagle Regiment.
And she's a medic.
Really?
Yes.
We belong to the
Lightning Regiment. Let's go.
Okay, got it.
The Eagle Regiment is at
Mulgu-ri defending Yakdam Peak.
Also, the medic has been
assigned to a hospital in Huiyeoteo.
You should get going now.
Injured soldiers are pouring in.
They need all the hands they can get.
Can you find your way
to Huiyeoteo by yourself?
Yes, sir.
Good. Off you go then.
Yes, sir.
If it gets infected again,
who will look after you?
I'm sure Comrade Heo will.
I hope you're not going to
ask her for a hug to stay warm.
Do you think she
would give me one?
I don't know.
Who's there?
Seyong!
Commander...
He's burning up.
When the war is over,
you'll be working as a journalist
somewhere in Seoul, right?
I wonder what I'll be doing.
Maybe you'll...
be waiting for me
at the dinner table?
Do you think we'll be
able to meet again?
As long as we stay alive...
In case we don't...
I hope you become
a good journalist.
I want to give you
something, too.
What can I give you?
Use that to write something for
me. Something I can carry with me.
Though the fates us
from each other sever,
The flame that within
my breast burns.
I wish not your
peace to disturb.
On a snowy day by Seomjin River,
To Minja, With love, Tae
Though the fates us
from each other sever...
From each other sever...
That line bothers me.
It's from a Byron's poem.
Be careful. Keep your guard up.
Go now.
Take care.
I couldn't pull the grenade
pin because I got scared.
Thinking of my mom
all by herself at home...
I just couldn't...
You said your father
passed away last year?
Yes.
The police came
to get him one day.
They beat him all night. After he
came home, he became bedridden.
There was nothing
we could do for him.
- Commander.
- Yes?
If we keep fighting like this,
good times will
come one day, right?
Of course.
Good times will come.
Commander.
After the war, you'll
take me to Seoul, right?
Why Seoul?
I want to go to an
important school like you did.
Sure, I'll take you there.
Mortar, you are my
comrade and buddy.
Every time I see
you, my heart fires up.
Machine gun, you
are my trouble-maker.
Every time I see
you, I get all infuriated.
Comrade Ma, I bet
nothing infuriates you.
You always run
away from battles.
What? When did I ever...
You should be ashamed.
What's infuriating is that we
have to waste soju on these guns
because we don't
have anti-freeze.
That's more like it!
Hey, do you want a sip?
Which dumb-ass
stuffed up my flask?
As winter gets colder, we
have to be more cautious.
To a partisan,
alcohol is like poison.
It's cold and it kills me to
pour it all into this piece of shit.
Orders to mobilize!
The enemy will
show up at Galdam.
The 2nd platoon
should move to Sagusil.
We, the 1st platoon,
will move to Gagok.
Hide! The yellow
dogs are coming!
Comrade Seong, run
this way! We'll cover you!
Makdung!
Makdung!
Cease fire!
Makdung!
Hey kid, come over
here! It's dangerous!
Come here, boy!
Come to us! Listen to
us. We're the soldiers!
Come on, kid! Over here!
Those are commies! Come
this way. We'll give you crackers!
Don't go to the yellow
dogs! Come this way!
Dol! What are you doing there?
Come here right now!
Mom!
Hey, yellow dogs! Good to
see that you're still human!
You wild pigs! So you
have a heart after all!
Don't you want to go home?
Go home and look
after your family!
We know the reason
you stopped shooting
wasn't the boy, but the dog!
Isn't it one of yours?
Wild pigs or yellow dogs,
we all have the same forefather!
Isn't that right, you pigs!
So you bastards do
know a thing or two!
That's why we have
to unite our nation
and liberate the people,
you ignorant fools!
Come out with your hands up!
That way, your
lives will be spared!
Stop talking shit and
listen to this song!
On the blue water of Duman River
The oarsman set sail-
Long ago...
How many do you think?
Not sure. Shall we join in?
The boat has sailed off.
Where has it gone?
I miss my darling
I miss my darling
They seem to be
twice our number.
We're spread out, so it'll
sound like there's more of us.
You think?
Hey, you yellow dogs!
Think you can take our
village with just 30 men?
Think again, you bastards!
You pigs!
Stop fooling around!
How many are you?
Can't you hear?
On the blue water of Duman River
The oarsman set sail-
Long ago, my darling
boarded his boat.
The boat has sailed off.
Where has it gone?
I can't see them.
I miss my darling
Comrade Kim!
I miss my darling
When will she come back?
Hey, get up.
Comrade Kim!
Reading during a
combat? Put that away.
Who's there?
Seomjin River.
Baekdu Mountain.
Things don't look good in Gagok.
The 1st squad stays here. The
2nd squad and patrol, come with me.
We're heading to Gagok.
Yes, sir.
- Patrol!
- Second squad!
Comrade Jeon!
You stay here and if something
happens, send word to Gagok.
Yes, sir!
It looks like the
enemy has retreated.
How about we go to
the first squad now?
Wait. This is just a
calm before the storm.
Yes, sir.
Comrade Kim, are
you writing poetry?
No, sir.
Is it a crime to fear death?
I've always known
you as a brave soldier.
I scolded Comrade
Ma in front of the others
for being a coward.
Then I thought it over.
Isn't it human to
fear one's death?
That's very poetic of you.
It feels wrong to fear
death, which is so human,
because we're in a war.
Geez, it's freezing.
I can't stand this cold
anymore. I'm going inside.
No, you can't.
We must keep watch until
the platoon commander returns.
Black dogs or yellow dogs, they're
too afraid of us to move at night.
Do we really have to stay
up all night in this cold?
Let's drink just a little bit.
What are you doing now?
You know what I'm
doing. I'm drinking.
You'll get yourself
in hot water.
I don't care. This
is warming me up.
Comrade Kang! This way! Hurry!
I joined the partisan guerillas
because the times forced me
to choose between
the right or left.
If this war can guarantee
better lives for all of us,
of course, I'll
gladly give my life.
But being forced
to kill one another,
not to mention kill
our own countrymen
for a better future...
the irony of it all is...
Such an emotional conflict will
only make you lose your fighting spirit.
You had enough.
Stop being a wimp
and take a sip.
There you go!
Damn it, we finished it off.
Damn.
We shoot just to survive.
If we have to shoot
only to survive...
You probably can't stand your
life coming to such a trivial end.
But if we can make
history with our guns,
I think it's worth
risking our lives.
I don't know.
This war is too complicated
to be convinced of it.
Comrade Kim!
You've been acting strange since
Comrade Jo left for the command center.
Who said that, huh?
Who said I scooped
horseshit in the cavalry?
Who the hell said it?
Are you saying you really
fought, riding on a horse?
Who else would then?
When I was a tailor in
Seoul a long time ago,
I rode all the seamstresses
at the tailor shop.
Who am I? I'm the great Ma
Dalho! Ma Dalho, you know!
You mean Comrade Jo Yeongja?
She comes from a landlord
family, and she loved books.
One day she read my
poem and fell for me.
When I joined the partisans,
she decided to come with me.
She's too fragile and
innocent to be indoctrinated.
Then what cause is
worth risking her life for?
Those were the good times.
Sure they were.
So we're now fighting to
get those good old days back.
You're right. You're
younger than me but
you sure sound more
grown-up than me.
Who's there?
What the heck!
Seomjin River!
Who the hell is Seomjin
River? Huh? I'm going to...
Isn't the sound from Sagusil?
I think so.
Comrade Jeon!
Comrade Jeon...
Hey!
Commander Comrade...
We got hit...
It's all over now.
Thank you for everything...
Hey...
Bastards! They've been boozing!
Mom! Mom!
So, a house full
of reactionaries.
Mom! Mom!
This is a liberated area.
After our forces
made a partial retreat,
you must have ratted
on us to the yellow dogs.
Tell the truth!
You told them, didn't you?
Mom! Mom!
Platoon commander,
take away the boy,
and round up the
village people in the lot.
Yes, sir.
Mom! Mom!
Everybody, out!
Your husband
is a police officer,
but you stayed behind
in the liberated area
to dig up information,
didn't you?
Your husband died recently?
How did he drop dead?
He was killed by you people.
That's why you became their
snitch! To avenge his death!
Everyone, move away.
The boy's mother bit her
tongue and bled to death.
Is there anything
you want to say?
Look up.
Long live the People's Republic!
Applaud!
Welcome the death of
Comrade Hwang who disgraced
the national liberation
war of the brave partisans.
Applaud!
Everyone is leaving.
What's your relationship with
Comrade Park Minja, the medic?
She just treated
me as her patient...
You're all cowards, you know.
Your fate and mine, what?
What poem is that?
It's a poem by Lord Byron.
Who's Byron? Is he an
anti-communist writer?
Well, he wasn't a Bolshevik...
Fine.
You've been quite
devoted to your tasks.
But this could be considered
as a serious problem.
Indulging in romance,
at a time like this,
is to commit a grave mistake
against our country and people.
Anthing you want to say?
No, sir.
So you agree with me?
Yes, sir.
Pack your things. You're to
report at the command center.
Excuse me?
Don't worry. It's not
because of your note.
The communications team
requested your transfer.
An agent has come
from Mt. Hoemun.
As the Comrade Hwang pointed
out before he was executed,
you're too soft and sentimental.
Strip away that side of you.
Then, you'll make a great
warrior wherever you go.
I understand, sir.
Take care!
Platoon commander!
Please give this to comrade Jo
Yeongja at the command center.
I jotted down a
few lines to her,
thinking you'd understand.
No matter where you
hide in the winter, I can...
Where are the women restationed,
the ones from our company?
Probably to the new company
made up of women only.
At the command center?
They're a combat unit,
so they can't be at the rear.
If you have something,
I can pass it on.
As long as it's not a
letter or something.
Never mind then.
What about the medic unit?
Both of them take a full
night to get there on foot.
Well, I should have one more.
Jeollabuk-do Regional Party Guerilla
Command Center, Mr. Hoemun, Sunchang-gun
Look, who's here?
Oh, Comrade Lee!
You've come all the way here!
This is a newcomer, Comrade Min.
Hello. Oh, finally! I
meet a real partisan!
What are you doing now?
We actually called
for you because of this.
Peop arm chin arm pus to Jeche
Peop arm chin arm pus to Jeche
This must be a kind of encoding.
This must be a kind of encoding.
This much was
possible because of me.
Did you see the
water-turbine-generator by the brook?
That's my handiwork!
Goodness, how did you
figure it out so quickly?
Well, I just hope it's right.
People's army and Chinese
army push to Jecheon?
As the Chinese army's
intervention turned the tide of the war,
the days at the command
center were relatively peaceful.
I was even able to send
out wartime newsletters.
Those were the most carefree
days since I joined the partisans.
Still, I couldn't afford
to visit Comrade Minja.
I couldn't possibly look
for the women company
in order to pass on
Comrade Kim Yeong's letter.
I missed them-
The 2nd platoon members
including Comrade Kim Yeong.
And Park Minja
at the medic unit.
However...
March 1951
Comrades, hurry and retreat!
- Where to?
- Muster at the Daesumal grounds!
All the troops from the province
will retreat from Mt. Heomun tonight.
We'll split into two groups.
One group will go to Mt. Sobaek
and the other to Byeonsanbando.
- What about us?
- To Mt.Sobaek.
That's where the
command center is headed.
Comrade! Comrade!
Do you know which way
the medic unit is headed?
The medic unit? I heard
they'll be also split into two,
because both will
have casualities.
All right, let's go.
Is this...
Is this the medic unit?
Is this the medic unit?
Do you know a medic
named Park Minja?
Ah, Comrade Park is
going to Byeonsanbando.
Where is she now?
That way. They just left.
Is this the medic unit?
It's back there.
Excuse me.
Where is the medic unit?
I don't know.
Is this the medic unit?
Medic unit? No.
In the end, I couldn't
find Park Minja and
I had to move north
along Mt. Sobaek
with 400 or so men of
Jeollabuk-do People's army-
Meanwhile, the US-Korea
combined forces were pushing
north again toward
the 38 parallel-
May 1951 Mt. Baekwun, Ham
yang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
Another dark cloud
loomed over us-
A horrible endemic called
"relapsing fever" that broke out
in Jeollabuk-do company
swept over our company as well.
High fevers recurred
along with severe
pain and aftereffects-
Since we had no medical
treatment, we could do nothing
against the disease
that claimed many lives-
Is this the tree that is supposed
to be good for the fever?
Yes.
That's what I heard.
Comrade Kim Yeong!
Platoon Commander!
About your letter...
When I arrived at
the command center,
I became so busy handling
the communication work
that I couldn't look for her.
And I lost your letter
in all the commotion.
I'm sorry.
Did you hear anything about her?
Nothing at all.
There's rumor she died on the
night we escaped Mt. Hoemun.
Some said she went west.
It's all my fault.
Got a pencil?
Sorry, I don't.
What's with that fountain pen?
This?
I can't use it. There's no ink.
Then, you'd better
throw it away.
Why bother to carry it around?
There's no way
I'd throw it away.
Comrade Song, what
brought you here?
Oh, hello.
You know Comrade Park
Minja who went west, don't you?
I just came back from there.
When she heard I was a messenger
agent from the command center,
she came and asked
me of your news.
Really?
So I told her you
caught the fever.
And then, she gave this to me.
She asked me to give it to you.
Isn't that aspirin?
I envy you, comrade.
Well, I've got to go now.
Have anything to say to her?
I can pass the word
next time when I'm there.
All right, then.
- Wait, Comrade!
- Yeah?
In Byeonsan, did you meet a
comrade called Jo Yeongja?
She's petite and
has a slender face.
I don't think I
know a Jo Yeongja.
We used to call her White Lily.
Next time you're in Byeonsan,
please look for someone
called White Lily...
Hold on...
Is that a letter?
I can't take that.
It's against the rules.
I'll give her your
regards if I see her.
Well, take care of yourselves.
Comrades! The
Committee Leader is here!
These men are here to pick out recruits
on the orders of Comrade Lee Hyeonsang
from the Southern Guerilla
Command of the People's Army.
Please follow their orders.
If you're starting to feel
better, please volunteer.
If you transfer, you'll
have more to eat.
We weren't fully recovered yet.
But the promise of
a better food supply,
was enough to convince
Comrade Kim Yeong and me.
The South of Mt.
Deogyu June 1951
Thank you for
making the long trip.
I am Kim Heungbok,
Commander of Victory Division.
We have decided to reassign you
disregarding your
former rank and post.
The goal of our struggle is not simply
an expansion of the liberated territory.
Our goal is to draw as many
enemies as possible to our side
and thereby set
up a second front
to create an advantage
for the people's army.
Accordingly, we'll be constantly
on the move to disrupt the enemy.
You will soon see why we
are called Victory Division.
Soldiers, show the new
comrades to their troops!
- First row, Daegu troop.
- Daegu troop.
- Second row, Seoul troop.
- Seoul troop.
- Third row, Jeonju troop.
- Jeonju troop.
- Fourth row, Yeosu troop.
- Yeosu troop.
Dismissed!
Take your weapons and uniforms.
Comrade Platoon Commander!
These men look pitiful!
In the old days, a real hero
always had a bushy beard,
isn't that right?
These days the soldiers
look like newlyweds.
That fever must've
been pretty tough, huh?
But still, look at you!
Why don't you get to it then!
Excuse me...
Are you from Cheongju?
Ah! I remember you.
You represented Cheongwon-gun
at the speech contest.
You remember! I'm
so glad to see you.
You're the first person I've
seen from home since joining up.
Fall in!
Fall in!
Accidental discharge!
Which one of you
dumb-ass men did it?
For that one misfired
bullet, you've got to steal 200.
You sure you won't
lose your balls next?
If the enemy were nearby, it
would've been your neck on the line.
Okay! Move out!
After leaving Mt. Deogyu,
the Victory Division
was always on the move,
marching and fighting.
We attacked police
watchtowers in broad daylight.
The partisans were as
ferocious as we'd heard.
And the soldiers'
morale was high-
Comrades!
That's Dalddeugi up there!
We'll be at Mt. Jiri soon.
The mountain our teacher
always talked about...
The very place where we
will stay to make our base
for revolution in the south.
If all the partisan
forces gather,
maybe we'll get to see our
teacher, Lee Hyeonsang.
Sounds like a dream.
Let's roll!
Comrade Lee, when was
the last time you bathed?
I don't remember my last time.
Hey, what are you looking at?
What a sight!
Teacher!
Teacher!
I saw the legendary leader of
the partisans for the first time.
Lee Hyeonsang.
He used his experience from the
independence movement against the Japanese
to lead the partisans when the Southern
Worker's Party went underground.
He was an ardent
communist and nationalist-
But he was a lonely fighter,
politically rejecting North Korea
and staying loyal to the Worker's Party
with a dream of revolution in the South.
After spending a night
at Eungseok Peak,
we planned a joint attack with
Gyeongsangnamdo partisans
on two police watchtowers that
blocked Mt. Jiri's south entrance
Let's carry out
the attack tonight.
Enemy attack!
Enemy attack at the barbed
wire! Shoot a flare bomb!
It looks like we're outmatched.
This isn't working. We should take out
the watchtower with the 81 mm mortar.
But there are civilian
houses right next to it.
We've only cut two holes in
the wire after 5 hours of fighting.
We've never done so
badly in a battle before.
It's going to bring
down the troops' morale.
How about forming
a special squad
to evacuate the residents
near the watchtower,
and then hitting
it with mortars?
They've quieted down
now after a good shelling.
They won't give up so
easily. Isn't that right?
Flare bomb! Flare bomb!
I'll take care of the
watchtower with Comrade Choi.
You all go and carry
out the operation.
Be careful!
Make sure not to kill the
civilians while evacuating them.
Comrade Choi, keep shooting.
Don't be frightened!
This area's gonna be
mortared, so you'll have to leave.
Sorry. I'll need
these blankets too.
Comrade Choi!
Get over here!
Hurry up and take these!
Hurry and get
out of here! Hurry!
Hurry up! Run!
Hurry up!
- Prepare for launch!
- Yes, sir.
Fire!
Charge!
Comrade Kim Huisuk, Political
Commissar Comrade Lee Bonggak,
and some others who
were injured in the battle
headed for the disabled
soldier's hideout in Georimgol.
As my movement was
impaired by a case of beriberi,
I was sent along supposedly
to take care of them.
Wow!
It's lucky you got hit in
the thigh, Comrade Kim.
A little further up this way,
and nobody'd want to marry you.
Listen to the bullshit
this bastard is spewing.
Face as pretty as a flower,
but that mouth of yours!
You do look a bit
more womanly like this.
You've got shit for
ideology, comrade.
Ideology!
If it's revolutionary ideology you
want, I'm from the damn best class.
The labor class. I'm from
the most foundational class!
And yet all you talk about
is women and booze.
So what about that?
You don't like
women, Comrade Lee?
No man dislikes booze and women!
Try saying that when the
Political Commissar is around.
You think I can't
say it in front of him?
Say what, Comrade Ju?
Oh, right...
You haven't given me
any orders today, so I was...
Is that so?
Comrade Park, you're
healed up now, right?
Yes, sir!
Then return to
your post tomorrow.
Yes, sir!
Whoa, that was close!
It's a shame, Comrade Lee.
What would your wife do if
she saw you here cooking?
No such worries.
I'm not married.
So I'm the only one
worrying about you, then?
That boy sings about
cherry trees all day long.
May well be his girl ran off
to Seoul with another guy.
What would a little boy
with nothing but peach fuzz
know about love?
Do you know anything
about love then?
Where would I
find time for love?
My dad was beaten to death
by the right-wing Youth League.
Mom was lashed for having
a communist daughter.
While I was nursing her, I
was so filled with rage that
I joined the partisans for
revenge, and left her behind.
Maybe I should have
thought it through a bit more.
Is she alive... Is she dead...
Yellow dogs, black dogs...
They all look like the
people who killed my parents.
I want to get my hands on
them and rip their guts out!
After three weeks, we
recovered and we left the hideout.
A messenger came from the
division to lead us back to our posts.
They say when we return, you
and I are going to get medals
for fighting so well
in the last battle.
Stop talking nonsense.
Really! It's true!
The Political Commissar said so.
Comrade Political Commissar,
is it true? We're getting medals?
Comrade Lee Tae,
Come join the Political
Affairs Team when you return.
Me? How could I...
No.
It'd be our loss to leave
you as a low-ranking soldier.
In late September, all partisan
troops assembled at Piagol.
There, Chief Commander
Lee Hyeonsang
Piagol, Mt. Jiri
presented the medals
himself in a ceremony.
The soldiers of the special
squad during the last battle
received medals
for their service-
Comrade Kim Huisuk was
promoted to Battalion Commander.
There was a huge
celebration that night.
Comrades!
This is Comrade Lee Tae,
who I mentioned previously.
Meet your new comrades
on the Political Affairs Team.
Comrade Park Hyeonggyu,
a general education officer.
Welcome!
Comrade Yang Jiha
Glad to have you.
- Comrade Lee Donggyu.
- Looking forward to working with you!
Comrade Choe
Munhui a culture officer
Nice to meet you.
"Party Membership Name." Lee Tae
Good.
You are now a member of the
great Worker's Party of Korea.
You will work as the editor
and wartime recordkeeper
of the battlefront newspaper
"Jirisan: Road to Victory."
That fall, the partisan
forces staged attacks at
Gokseong and destroyed
the Jeolla rail line.
But counter forces began
attacks, forcing us to roam between
Gyeongsang and Jeolla Province
on the northeast side of Mt. Jiri.
With winter approaching,
we camped at Hakdong-gol.
At the battle front, armistice
talks that had started in Gaeseong
moved to Panmunjeom
and on November 27,
they almost agreed on a
temporary ceasefire line.
The ceasefire talks
seem to be going well.
Is it ceasefire talks
or armistice talks?
It's all the same, isn't it?
The issue is what they will
decide about us, the partisans.
That's obvious.
We are a legitimate troop
belonging to one of the belligerents,
the People's Army
Command, are we not?
When the war is over, we will
be returned to North Korea...
And we'll be welcomed as
heroes of the People's Republic.
Isn't that right?
Sounds like a dream.
What if our guerrilla
forces are not recognized
as a regular army, but
as a criminal organization?
What are you talking
about, Comrade Lee?
The People's Republic will surely
request our safe return in the talks.
No more of this.
With things as they are,
ceasefire is just a collusion.
For national unification
and the people's liberation,
ceasefire or armistice
must be out of the question.
Comrade Lee, your
turn to stand guard.
It's freezing! I did one
round and I'm frozen solid.
There's lot's of talk about ceasefire
and the South's winter offensive.
As the ceasefire talks proceed,
the fights at the front will continue
as both sides attempt to secure
an advantageous armistice line.
It means we have to lure as
many enemy forces as we can
to these mountains, to help
the People's Army at the front.
If we draw off one division
to fight us, we've done
the work of a full
division, and if one corps
is dispatched to fight us,
we're as good as a full corps.
In order to strengthen the second
line of battle and get winter supplies,
we'll join the
Geyeongnam 57th Division
and attack a few
strategic locations around.
Please write a rousing
speech for this occasion
to read out to all the comrades.
I will be waiting for your
writing to get our blood boiling.
Even if three hundred
of us are annihilated,
we'd have done more
than an entire division,
or even an entire corps.
We win if we win, and
we win even if we lose.
Hagdong-gol, Mt.
Jiri December 1951
We have the
advantage in this fight.
And finally it is time
to sacrifice our blood
for our nation and its people.
Damn! The information
must have leaked.
Ready for combat.
The bastards are pouring in.
It's a blitz for sure!
It looks like an entire
division is attacking us.
How about retreating for now?
Contact the emergency
line in each division.
First retreat line, Chilseongol.
Second retreat line, Georimgol.
In order to weaken their attack,
disperse our
troops as we retreat.
What the hell!
Keep your ground,
don't fall back!
Comrade, there are orders
to retreat to Chilson-gol.
Damn... how are
we supposed retreat?
We don't have enough
men or weapons to fight back.
Come on. Hurry up!
Fall back!
Comrade Choi!
Mom, mom...
Mother...
Yes...
You've done enough,
so go be with your mother.
Light fires along the ridge and let
'em know that they're surrounded.
Yes, sir.
When the morning comes, block
all roads to Chilseon and Georim,
and close in on them.
We're surrounded on all sides.
If we can't make out of here
by morning, we're all dead meat.
How bad is the damage?
Divisions got mixed up in
the retreat so I'm not sure,
but it seems more than half
are either dead or missing.
The fire has died out
on the cliff over there.
No other way but
to go down the cliff.
Let's go.
40.000 soldiers were sent
to Mt. Jiri to drive us out,
a joint attack by the Field Corps
under the command of Baek Seonyeop,
and the Capital Infantry Division of
the Southwest Combat Command.
We retreated in our platoons-
We trudged through
snow-covered mountains
to reassemble at the first
retreat line, Georim-gol.
To the valley!
Come on!
Comrade Huisuk!
Keep moving!
Here!
Comrade Huisuk, you can make it!
I can't...
Oh no, you're bleeding...
I'm fine...
Comrade Huisuk,
get up! Stay with us.
You have to go see your mother.
Mother...
Huisuk...
Pass.
Pass. Turn around.
Pass. Turn around.
Pass. Turn around.
Pass. Turn around.
Pass. Turn around.
Pass. Turn around.
Pass. Turn around.
Pass. Turn around.
Get up!
The dogs have pulled out!
Get up now!
Wake up!
Fast!
Comrade Kim Yeong!
You are alive!
Is this the Yeosu troop?
No, it isn't.
While retreating, I got
mixed up with your troop.
I see.
You can light fires.
Warm up for a bit and head to
Georim-gol over Samsin Peak.
We have rice stored there.
You can eat steaming rice!
We have been on the
run for a week without food.
Moreover, most men
have frostbitten legs
and cannot even walk properly.
If we get no support
from the North, we won't...
Look here! You're so-called
a general education officer!
How can you be mouthing
off such a defeatist speech?
All I'm saying is that
we need to face the truth.
We've fought in the
direst of conditions.
We are worn down
with cold and hunger.
At the time of the
Bolshevik revolution,
Siberian partisans got supplies
delivered to them by trucks.
The partisans in Manchuria
during the Japanese colonial times
farmed fields to get food
during their struggle...
But what about us?
Mt. Jiri is the best place for a
base in the South for partisans...
but we are stuck here
within 15km in radius.
We cannot even send a signal to the
North much less have communication.
Comrade.
Instead of such a defeatist attitude,
you need a strong historical conciousness!
No matter what difficulties we're
faced with, history is always on our side!
- We will be victorious!
- Yes, of course!
There is no victory
on either side.
Our tragedy began when
we could not liberate ourselves
from Japanese imperialists
with our own strength.
Instead, we gained our liberation
by the hands of other nations.
These are the embers from where
the never-ending struggle
of the people in the South
and the tragedy of this
so-called civil war emerged.
Whether it's the South
or the North that wins,
it won't be the victory
of our Korean people
but the victory of
Soviet Union or America.
Comrade.
Say that again!
Let's calm down.
Leaders such as you should not
waste time on inappropriate discussions.
Why don't we come up
with some constructive plans
to boost our tired
comrades' morales?
Take some rest.
I was listening to the
debate amongst the leaders.
When I was in Hakdong-gol, I met Comrade
Lee Bonggak of the Political Committee.
I heard you recommended
me to the Political division.
I heard you rejected.
To fight as an ordinary soldier.
By fighting the enemy head on
I wanted to know why
White Lily joined the partisans
and the reason we
have to be apart.
I felt that only then I could find
the real meaning of this war and
the true identity of the
enemy at my gunpoint.
Look at our comrades.
At this moment,
aren't our enemies
hunger and cold?
And the lack of sleep?
Right.
The most unbearable
thing is that
faced with pain,
hunger, and cold,
I'm left with nothing but
the instinct to survive.
White Lily and the
meaning of this war...
I've forgetten all that.
All I want is to survive.
Comrade Park!
Look up!
Up!
Air Strike!
With bombers supporting
them, the South Korean army
closed in on us.
We were becoming
more and more exhausted.
Comrade, look at
the state you are in!
You have to take
care of your feet!
These are the feet of the
republic! The feet of the people!
The line got cut off.
Some idiot must've
dozed off and strayed off.
Comrade, you must bring
them back and join us.
We will slow down for you.
Alright.
We will mark our way
with broken branches.
I will go with him.
Daeseon-gol in Mt. Jiri
Comrade!
Comrade!
A medic fainted from exhaustion,
so I stopped to take care of her...
And the others?
Others?
There are more who got lost.
We are here to bring them back.
Comrade! Comrade!
It's Georim-gol if we
cross this mountain!
We can join our comrades there.
Stay strong.
I can see them.
They're eating!
Comrades, am I really alive?
Where are the others?
Where is the emergency
meeting point?
Where the hidden weapons...
The arms depot?
It's in Banyabong It
takes a day to get there.
We have to walk
over another ridge?
My feet are rotting
away from frostbite.
It'll be two days, not one.
Let's go.
We have been starving
for over ten days.
We haven't slept either.
So? We still have
to go back to our line.
If not, we'll either freeze to death
or become feed for those dogs.
How about we go around
Yongsu Rock and Imgeol-ryeong?
Right.
It would be easier.
There is a farmer's mud hut
before crossing Imgeol-ryeong.
We'll be able to get food.
We can reach there
before evening today.
Come on.
Defection card-
Look at your former comrades-
They have found happy new lives!
They say if you surrender
with this, they'd let you live.
They won't kill you at least.
This place is the same.
There isn't a even a
rotten potato to eat.
The yellow dogs must've
moved the farmers away
and ordered them not to
leave a single bag of rice.
Let's go.
Comrade Ha can't go any further.
His legs have
rotted up to the knee.
When I rolled his pants up,
He fainted at seeing
the state of his legs.
He didn't know it was that bad.
It's a miracle he
walked all this way.
He'll die if we leave him.
No!
My leg! My leg! Where is my leg?
My leg! My leg!
My leg...
Comrade Kim, look
after Comrade Ha.
I'm going to have
a look outside.
Comrade Kim, my leg!
Comrade Ha...
In your state, it will be
hard to reach Ban ya-bong.
It's a downward slope
from here to the village.
You'll be able to go down
even if you have to roll down.
Show this to the enemy.
They won't kill you then.
No, I don't want to!
I am scared to go alone.
I want to go with you.
Comrade Ha, this is the
way for all of us to stay alive.
No!
The platoon commander and
medic went down last night.
What?
They ran away.
Damned cowards!
I will never do that!
You are different from them.
You're surrendering
because you have no choice.
Comrade Kim!
Comrade!
Comrade Kim, take me with you!
Comrade Kim, please!
Comrade Kim!
Comrade Kim! Please!
Please!
If we take you, all of
us will freeze to death.
Here.
Surrender...
Or...
Comrade Kim!
Comrade Kim!
Comrades!
Comrades!
Comrades!
Comrade Kim!
He won't commit
suicide, will he?
Let's go.
Comrade!
Don't move.
The platoon commander
must've ratted on us.
It's good in a way. They
will find Comrade Ha.
Come on. Let's run.
Stay back!
Don't come any closer.
It's dangerous!
Stay back, I said!
Put the safety pin back in.
You must've seen the card.
We'll let you go if you surrender.
Now!
Comrade Ha! He
died because of me!
Search the house.
Let's go.
The hut is empty.
Sir!
Comrade!
I cannot go any further
Com... Comrade!
Cease fire!
The footprints end here.
He couldn't have gone far.
Search the area thoroughly!
We will mark our tracks
with broken tree branches.
March 9, 1952
I was captured in Ouigongli
village, Sicheonmyeon.
16 months later, the armistice
agreement was signed.
In the agreement, there were
clauses about demolition of armory and,
the retrieval and transfer
of casualties of the war.
But there was no mention
of those who were alive and
left behind to wander
the southern mountains.
Between 1949 and 1954, 20,000
people from both the South Korean Army
and the partisans were killed in
the Sobaek and Jiri Mountains.
In the three years
of the Korean War,
1-3 million people died
and 1-1 million went
missing from both sides.
This film is dedicated to those
who lost their lives in the war.
Translated by the Translation Academy
of LTI of Korea Edited by Alyssa Kim