As South Korea commemorates the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day, marking the end of Japanese colonial rule, viewers have an opportunity to explore the nation's independence struggle through compelling dramas and films. The Korea Times consulted five distinguished experts to recommend productions that capture the spirit and significance of this historic milestone, offering audiences a chance to reflect on both the atrocities of colonial occupation and the heroic sacrifices made by Korean independence activists.
The expert panel included culture critic Jung Duk-hyun, Kim Hern-sik (culture critic and professor of social and cultural studies at Jungwon University), Yun Suk-jin (cultural critic and professor of Korean language and literature at Chungnam National University), CedarBough Saeji (assistant professor of Korean and East Asian studies at Pusan National University), and Lee Ha-na (associate professor of history at Seoul National University). Their collective recommendations highlighted four standout titles that have successfully brought Korea's independence movement to life on screen.
The acclaimed tvN drama "Mr. Sunshine" (2018) emerged as a top recommendation for its groundbreaking portrayal of righteous armies during the Korean Empire's final years. Set in the early 1900s, the series follows a Korean boy born into slavery who escapes to America and returns as a U.S. Marine officer, played by Lee Byung-hun. The drama masterfully weaves together romance and resistance as he becomes involved in Korea's independence fight while falling in love with an aristocrat's daughter. Professor Lee Ha-na praised the show as "the first to depict righteous (civilian) armies," noting how it "masterfully unfolds around a female aristocrat who joins the militia, along with three men representing some of the factions and perspectives of the time." Jung emphasized that the drama's brilliance lies in framing the righteous army's story within a romance, telling "personal stories of individuals fiercely grappling with a rapidly changing era, each fighting in their own way."
"The Age of Shadows" (2016), recommended by Jung Duk-hyun, offers viewers a gripping thriller set during Japanese occupation. The film centers on the tense cat-and-mouse game between the resistance group Uiyeoldan (Heroic Corps) and Japanese police. Song Kang-ho portrays Lee Jung-chool, a Korean-born police officer serving Japan who is modeled after the real-life figure Hwang Ok. Ordered to track down the resistance, he becomes increasingly conflicted as his sympathy for the independence movement grows. Jung described it as "a gripping thriller that vividly portrays the stories of those who fought as spies operating in the gray area during Korea's anti-Japanese resistance." Professor Lee noted the film's historical significance, explaining that "double agents genuinely existed during the Japanese occupation" and operated "covertly in large numbers," making the film important for bringing their existence to public awareness.
Yun Suk-jin recommended "Assassination" (2015), a box office hit that attracted more than 12.7 million viewers. Set in 1930s Shanghai and Seoul, the film stars Jun Ji-hyun as Ahn Ok-yun, a sniper from the Korean independence army in Manchuria who leads a plot to assassinate both a Japanese military commander and a pro-Japanese Korean business tycoon. Jung praised the film for telling "the story of a female independence activist during the Japanese colonial era in the style of a caper movie, making it accessible to the public." The film's historical impact extends beyond entertainment, as Professor Lee noted it was "the first to depict independence activist Kim Won-bong in popular culture," leading to renewed public interest in his life and activities, and even sparking controversy about awarding him the Order of Merit in 2019.
CedarBough Saeji highlighted "Spring on the Korean Peninsula" (1941), a historically significant black-and-white film about Korean filmmakers' efforts to create culturally important cinema during Japanese occupation. The film follows a Korean crew attempting to adapt "Chunhyangjeon," a beloved Korean tale symbolizing chastity, while navigating the challenges of colonial rule. Saeji described it as "a film about making a film" that "brilliantly showcases how Japan and Korea were intertwined in terms of fashion, language and artistic production in colonial-era Korea, while subtly revealing the constant tension experienced by Koreans." Professor Lee observed that the film "vividly depicts the hardships faced by filmmakers during this era" and reveals "how the Korean film industry gradually shifted toward pro-Japanese agendas."
Beyond these four standout titles, the experts recommended numerous other productions worthy of attention. Kim Hern-sik praised Netflix's "Gyeongseong Creature" (2023) for effectively melding "the creature genre with a striking depiction of human experimentation during the colonial era." The series stars Park Seo-joon and Han So-hee as they investigate missing person cases in colonial-era Seoul. Kim also recommended films "Harbin" (2024) and "The Battle: Roar to Victory" (2019) for highlighting that historical triumphs were "collective achievements, not just the result of a single individual or leader."
Yun Suk-jin suggested several dramas including "Different Dreams" (2019), starring Yoo Ji-tae and Lee Yo-won, which portrays independence activist and socialist Kim Won-bong. He described it as "a compelling drama that offers a fresh and nuanced perspective on Korea's independence history" by bringing to light "aspects of the independence movement that were once taboo." He also recommended MBC's "The Peak" (2011), featuring Kim Dong-wan as poet and independence activist Yi Yuk-sa, and the comprehensive 71-part KBS drama "Seoul 1945" (2006), which encompasses the Japanese colonial period, liberation, and the subsequent political chaos.
CedarBough Saeji recommended "Radio Dayz" (2008), a comedic film about Korea's first Korean-language radio broadcast during colonial rule, noting how "a single media product in the past could capture the imagination of an entire nation." She also praised "I Can Speak" (2017) as a "tearjerker" that "does a fabulous job explaining how the comfort women were doubly victimized – first by what happened to them and second by the lack of restitution of their grievances."
Professor Lee Ha-na concluded the recommendations with "Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet" (2016), about poet Yoon Dong-ju, describing it as "a beautiful film that overcomes the low budget typical of independent films" with "black-and-white visuals that give it the feel of an art film." She also highlighted "Anarchist from Colony" (2017), a biographical film about anarchists Park Yeol and Kaneko Fumiko, praising director Lee Joon-ik's confidence in handling historical cinema, as evidenced by the striking opening subtitle stating "This film is based on true facts." These diverse recommendations offer viewers multiple pathways to understanding and commemorating Korea's complex journey toward independence and liberation.
