Set in the Joseon Dynasty, the period drama created initial buzz due to the involvement of acclaimed filmmaker Park Chan-wook, who contributed to both the production and screenplay. It gained further attention as the curtain-raiser for this year's Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), which wrapped up this week.
The much-hyped film, starring actors Gang Dong-won and Park Jeong-min, revolves around two men from different social backgrounds who build a close friendship, while growing up together. However, they become isolated and turn into enemies during times of war.
At a press event in Seoul on Thursday, just a day ahead of its release, the film's director Kim Sang-man expressed his expectation that the film would appeal not only to South Koreans but also to global viewers.
"One foreigner who watched the film at the BIFF told me that he could easily sympathize with the story and that many others would feel the same way, as wars and uprisings are universal themes in many films," Kim said.
"The story of the two main protagonists not being free from social bondage and the era in which they lived is also relatable to everyone," he added.
Kim said he wanted to depict the devastated ruins of the capital after the war to evoke a "post-apocalypse atmosphere" within the vortex of history.
Gang and Park, who also attended the event, said that they had a hard time preparing for their action scenes. "Long ago, I learned how to handle swords for about eight months when I appeared in 'Duelist' in 2015, which helped me a lot this time," Gang recalled.
Park also said that he practiced swordplay whenever he had free time and added filming those action-packed scenes with Gang was a great experience.
The director and actors expressed their expectation as the film was released in over 190 countries simultaneously. "I'm very excited to see how viewers will react to the film," Gang said.
"This worldwide release is something that filmmakers rarely experience, so I'm very grateful. I hope it receives a great response," Kim said.
