Cheon-yeong (Gang Dong-won) is the personal servant of Jong-ryeo (Park Jeong-min), the only son of a noble family with a powerful military background. The two are extremely close, having grown up together since childhood. Cheon-yeong longs to be free from slavery, and Jong-ryeo tries to help him. Unfortunately, however, the situation becomes complicated, and their relationship deteriorates. When the slaves of Jong-ryeo’s family rise up and kill the entire household, Jong-ryeo mistakenly believes that Cheon-yeong is the mastermind and vows revenge. After experiencing the Japanese invasion of Korea, Cheon-yeong as a righteous soldier and Jong-ryeo as a royal guard eventually face each other, each pointing their swords at the other. Uprising is a work that director Park Chan-wook participated in as a producer and screenwriter, which made it already a hot topic from the time of its production announcement. Director Kim Sang-man, known for his directing talent in genre films, worked with outstanding production staff including those in cinematography, art, music, costumes, and makeup, to create a refined and powerful historical epic that brings out the best in every aspect. The harmonious blend of characters brought to life by the star-studded cast is also captivating. The characters with various colors shine through the turbulent times: the swordsman (Gang Dong-won), who, despite his slave origins, overflows with dignity and spirit; the warrior (Park Jeong-min), who wavers between friendship and anger with complex emotions; the stubborn yet cowardly king (Cha Seung-won); the loyal and brave righteous soldier (Kim Shin-rock); the compassionate and wise general (Jin Sun-kyu); and the cunning yet capable enemy commander (Jung Sung-il). Park Chan-wook’s humor, which often comes out instinctively rather than being hidden, is entertaining. The story, designed with intense conflicts and confrontations, is full of tension. Above all, the film progresses with unrelenting force from beginning to end, and that force is its most compelling charm. (JUNG Hanseok)