War drama Legend of the Patriots premieres this weekend
by javabeans
Admittedly Road No. 1 and Into the Fire have garnered most of the attention among Korean War projects, but KBS also has a drama premiering this weekend, Legend of the Patriots. (Its Korean title, Jeon Woo, translates literally to Comrades.) It’s actually a remake of a hugely successful series that aired from 1975 through 1978, which was then re-produced in 1983-84.
I’ve been hearing bits about the 20-episode Legend of the Patriots for a while but it has slid under my radar, but now that I take a look I find myself favorably inclined. The production team is a little iffy but the general plot appeals to me more than Road No. 1. (I admit that I find Road‘s story a little contrived — it’s got that typical melodrama excess going, carrying itself as the ultimate love warring with the ultimate friendship in the ultimate war story of all time. That makes me ask: O rly?)
Patriots, however, appears to take a larger scope — there are lead characters, to be sure (sageuk king Choi Su-jong and the underrated, imo, Lee Tae-ran), but the story seems to encompass more people and broader conflicts. (I say seems because all I’ve got to go on are previews and clips.)
I don’t mean to put down Road No. 1, because that drama has a lot going for it too, but for some reason it hadn’t captured my fancy narratively and I felt like I really ought to be more interested in it. (I’m not very excited, although the cast is a big draw.) Now that I’ve seen a contrasting point of view, however, I think I know better why — Road No. 1 heaps the tragedy upon you with its circumstances. (She thinks he’s dead, gets engaged to someone else, he comes back, her two men go to war together.) Patriots seems to (and again, I’m only going on previews here) treat the war itself as plenty tragic enough. They don’t frame the war around a great-love-of-all-time at the center.
Here’s what I mean. The first trailer starts out with the simple titles: “They wanted to live. They had to kill each other.”
KBS’s description of the drama is in line with that message:
“It is a misunderstanding to think that a soldier dashing toward the enemy line is filled with loyalty. All he can think at the moment is the order to run surrounded by blasting gunshots. Many of them attempt to flee the base at night and many of them are caught and shot to death. Soldiers will injure themselves to be excluded from battle. They shiver in fear and lose their senses. Then there’s the extreme hunger and the desperate survival of the refugees.
There is no socialism, capitalism, dreams, visions, fame or morality on the battlefield. There is only the human instinct for survival, the instinct that I must kill others for myself to live. The battleground is a black hole that sucks in all decent, humane beliefs.
“Legend [of the Patriots]” aims to elevate the highest value of peace by exposing the horrific reality of war.
That message, however, has sparked some early criticism from a group of netizens who feel that the drama is pushing ideology that is anachronistic to the time period of the drama. Personally, I think that’s one of the key points about art forms — you can’t (and shouldn’t be expected to) create them in a vacuum, or as a facsimile of real life. Art reflects more about the time in which it was created than the time about which it was created, doesn’t it? But I suppose I’m on the side of the ideology this time because I can’t see the downside to promoting a message of unity and peace as a part of a nation’s remembrance of a great war that divided it into two.
Choi Su-jong and men
The main character is played by veteran actor Choi Su-jong (Dae Jo Young, Emperor of the Sea), who plays a Squad Commander. (Official position: Unit 13, 1st Battalion, Platoon 2, Squad 1.) His character description: “I want to live as a soldier should. That’s all.” Based on that quote, I’m getting a reluctant hero vibe from him, which I can dig. He’s a stickler for the rules, but he is devoted to protecting the lives of his subordinates. He served in the national guard and is a war veteran, but never speaks about his past.
Kim Roi-ha (Story of a Man‘s cowardly director) plays the Commander of Squadron 2, a strict leader who insists upon discipline from his men and is cool-headed enough to know that with his duty comes the possibility of making sacrifices.
Their subordinates include
Superior officers are played by Lee Deok-hwa, a familiar face and veteran drama actor (Giant, Iron Empress, Dae Jo Young). Lee Joo-seok (Seoul Warrior Story) plays a platoon leader.
And then, you have those on the Northern side, led by Lee Tae-ran (My Precious You, Infamous Chil Sisters), who plays a lieutenant. She was interested in the independence movement when Korea was under Japanese imperialist rule, and learned about socialism. When U.S. forces entered the Korean peninsula, she gave up everything and fled to the North and joined the armed forces, rising to officer status. She’s cool and competent, but starts to feel doubts gradually.
On the battlefield, she happens upon Choi Su-jong’s character, and that stirs something from their pasts.
Meanwhile, Lee In-hye (Iron Empress, Insoon Is Pretty) is part of a guerrilla unit. Her father-in-law is a village elder, and after her husband was shot dead by the North Korean army, she begins to work independently as a guerrilla. From time to time, she helps the soldiers for the South. She shows a tough exterior, though she mourns her dead husband.
In the North: Lee Tae-ran, Kim Myung-soo.
On her own: Lee In-hye, with Heo Jae-ho
The drama has a production budget of 8 billion won, or $6.6 million. (That’s a sizable budget, but compare that with Road‘s 13 billion won, or $10.7 million. Per episode, Road spent double what Patriots did, although both budgets are on the high end compared to an average trendy.)
There are two directors and two writers listed. The PDS are Kim Sang-hui (You’re My Destiny and Sharp #2 and #3) and Song Hyun-wook (Hot Blood and Glory of Youth). The writers are Lee Eun-sang (Hometown of Legends: Gumiho) and Kim Pil-jin.
Legend of the Patriots replaces Merchant Kim Man-deok and premieres Saturday, June 19 on KBS1.
Here are a couple more trailers:
Via TV Report, KBS Global
Tags: Choi Su-jong, Comrades, Im Won-hee, Kim Roi-ha, Lee Chae-young, Lee Deok-hwa, Lee In-hye, Lee Seung-hyo, Lee Tae-ran, Park Sang-wook
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1 mellissa
June 18, 2010 at 6:12 PM
Band of Brothers, anyone?
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2 thunderbolt
June 18, 2010 at 6:17 PM
Thanks so much for this, Sarah! I know we (WITHS2) have plans to sub Comrades/Legend of the Patriots, but I couldn't find anything in English on the series, not even a pic.
Do you know if they are done filming the entire series?
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3 carmz
June 18, 2010 at 6:33 PM
This seems a little more interesting, Road's kinda reminds me of Pearl Harbor (and depending who you ask, you either hate it or you love it).
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4 julieng
June 18, 2010 at 6:38 PM
I will watch this, it look more interesting than Road, because a soldier woman with gun looks smart and more exciting for me..
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5 Javabeans
June 18, 2010 at 7:02 PM
thundie, I don't think this is going to be 100% pre-produced like Road No. 1, but they have been filming for a few months. I can't find the info on when exactly the filming started, but I want to say March-ish, give or take a little?
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6 kellie
June 18, 2010 at 7:03 PM
You skipped cast member Jung Tae-woo. Some nice pics of him there as a N.K. soldier.
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7 mk
June 18, 2010 at 7:08 PM
Looks kind of like a Korean Band of Brothers - am totally interested now.
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8 Lumi
June 18, 2010 at 7:32 PM
I recently was wondering if Choi Soo Jong would be back in another sageuk since it has been more than two years since Da Jo Young
I don't particularly like war themed movies or TV series, but many sageuks have quite a few battle scenes. On DJY it seemed like there was one in every episode. Nevertheless, I will definitely be watching this because of CSJ. He is a great actor with a lot of screen presence and charisma.
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9 Sonam
June 18, 2010 at 7:37 PM
I can't watch war movies or dramas and to think we have actual wars going on right now as we speak. It makes me crazy.
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10 bbm
June 18, 2010 at 7:41 PM
i've seen this on KBS entertainment weekly when they interviewed the cast, i thought it really is a war drama, compare to Road which is more like Korean Pearl Harbour...
well, since i don't really like war genres, my only comment would be, "Alcheon-ah, My Yellow Ranger!!!!" teehee.. :P
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11 kaedejun
June 18, 2010 at 7:54 PM
@bbm
TOTALLY AGREE!
yes - this sounds more band of brothers than pearl harbor ( i mean, road no.1) - and we all know which one was better quality in story ;)
wow - so many sageuk and queen seondeok alums!!!! and ALCHEONNNNN!!!!!! one day - i want to see him free of costumes/war makeup - just him in normal every day wear (or half naked! *evil evil thoughts* :grin: )
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12 thunderbolt
June 18, 2010 at 8:10 PM
Thanks for checking! I'm really loving the stills; they remind me of Eyes of Dawn.
So excited to be working on the subs for this, yay.
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13 Dahee Fanel
June 18, 2010 at 8:18 PM
Indeed, this looks like it could be rather amazing. Better than Road, even...a drama which I am starting to have serious doubts about...
Too bad I can't stand Choi Su Jong. =\ Oh, well. I'll just stare at Kim Myung Soo and be content with that instead.
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14 supah
June 18, 2010 at 8:28 PM
Whaat?
Lee Duk Hwa is also a major character in currently running 50-ep drama Giant, and a major character here too (well, judging by how prominently he's displayed on the poster)?
Would that mean Patriots was filmed way in advance?
If he has been filming both at the same time then that's pretty crazy. I know it's possible to film a movie and a drama at the same time but surely not 50 + 20 episodes, wow.
This definitely sounds like an interesting drama, I'll at some point be checking out Road No. 1 too. Not too fond of Kim Haneul but Choi Min-soo and So Ji-sub definitely have me interested.
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15 Len
June 18, 2010 at 8:34 PM
Yeah, those were my thoughts too. I was looking forward to Road No. 1, but I'm growing increasingly afraid that it will fall into the trap in which romance becomes the focal point to the point of detracting from the context/history. People have brought up Pearl Harbor (appropriate because it's a perfect parallel, along with its excess melodrama), but Reds is what came to my mind as well. It, too, was supposed to be more about the context involving the main character rather than his love story. Critics love it, but I saw it as a film that fell short of its potential....
Any way, thanks for letting us know about Legend of the Patriot. Here's to hoping that it'll turn out what we're hoping it'll be! (Band of Brothers was great.)
I'm still holding out for Road, because of the director/writer/cast, but the writer does seem to have a tendency to veer towards excess melodrama, so my worry is based on more than just simply a general fear in which film companies handle history, especially when it comes to wars.
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16 more
June 18, 2010 at 8:45 PM
This looks waaaaaaaaay better then ROAD NUMBER ONE plot wise.
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17 aX
June 18, 2010 at 8:54 PM
Wow, this actually looks interesting. I really liked Lee Tae Ran from her Kdrama MY PRECIOUS CHILD/FAMILY and glad to see her acting in this one. I'm excited for it and I can't wait to start watching it!
Also, Lee In Hye is REALLY pretty in those pictuers... don't know who she is.
Thanks for letting me know! :D
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18 hotsaranghae
June 18, 2010 at 9:28 PM
def. interested!!~
And this has Choi SooJong....<3<3
I really like him and for some unknown reason, he always seems to bring out the best in his fellow actors^^~
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19 dkykmom
June 18, 2010 at 9:32 PM
I feel like we've heard the Road Number 1 story before. Wasn't that the gist of the movie Pearl Harbor with the girl thinking Ben Affleck was dead so she married or was with Josh Hartnett?
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20 paula253
June 18, 2010 at 10:42 PM
thank you so much for this, JB! Can't wait to see this on KBS World when Merchant Mandeok ends.
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21 winnie
June 18, 2010 at 11:02 PM
This looks much more substantial than Road No. 1. I saw the character posters for that one (Kim Ha Neul's had a tear running down her face), and yeesh, it looked melodramatic.
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22 yukiyukiku
June 19, 2010 at 1:05 AM
Thank you for the news, javabeans.
Comrades really seems to have better story lines for me than Road No.1. No offense to Road No.1's fans, I like the casts, but I hate Pearl Harbor's story. I felt bad for Josh Harnett' s character.
I don't usually like to watch war drama, but i may like to give Comrades a chance.
Hopefully, it's ll be shown on KBS World
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23 eeee
June 19, 2010 at 1:48 AM
i think i'll watch this. it's nice to see that there are female soldiers, i hate it when in some war movies/dramas wherein the female lead is just a pushover and the main guy is doing everything to protect her.
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24 jt
June 19, 2010 at 1:50 AM
i've read from Mr X's twitchfilm page about korean band of brothers. i thought he's referring to Road No. 1.. i think Comrades fits the description. talking about war depiction, this will be a war movie where soldiers are not smoking cigarettes huh. haha..
and what about that cute chick in the war zone. i havent seen those before.
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25 ft
June 19, 2010 at 3:39 AM
one thing i noticed about these war movie posters is : why must all the females have tears in their eyes? -.-"
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26 diane
June 19, 2010 at 6:13 AM
Thanks for the information, javabeans. Choi Su Jong is the reason I started to watch K dramas.
The trailers look to be spot on depicting the real horrors of war. I may try and watch this, however, I am so sick of wars..............
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27 cathy
June 19, 2010 at 6:42 AM
Thanks Dramabeans , i'm always interesting in K historical and K war dramas , i agree with you regarding to Road number one lone triangle in war but i will watch it
bc of SJS .
I watched Seoul 1945 , very good war story but love story in there is so stupid ,
not interesting ,not touching at all , quite a waste ! and i hope Road number one would be better love story , more believable , more realistic ..
This year war dramas ,movies are quite interesting , i wonder if you know anything
regarding to The little pond movie , is that good movie ?
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28 ivy
June 19, 2010 at 7:27 AM
Okay I see what you mean there. Given from what you've summarized about both dramas, I would be leaning towards Comrades/Jeonwoo 戰友 (really don't think it should be translated as Patriots. Since this time the title is in Chinese characters, which I comprehend). I mean I've had it with strong castings but bad plot narratives. I really wanna brick myself for my recent pickings of dramas (> Cinderella's Sister). And okay, a Pearl Harbour story line as a movie is pretty okay for me to endure. I can stick it out with those eye candies for over an hour. Not really sure about that for a drama. But okay, let's just wait and see before we pass a verdict
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29 tiki_sg
June 19, 2010 at 8:56 AM
17 July 2010 - Airing of First Episode KBS World (Asia)
WoooHooo
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30 sarah
June 19, 2010 at 9:53 AM
road no 1... i predict SJS will die hmm,, just my predictions.....
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31 Auntiemame
June 19, 2010 at 11:14 AM
On various English-language websites, I have seen both "Road 1" and "Legend of the Patriots" identified as "celebrating" the war.
Perhaps, it's my ideology in play. But, I find it hard to equate the word, 'celebrate', with war.
I can understand using the word, 'commemorate', but 'celebrate'? Or, perhaps, it is just a mis-translation.
I just watched the opening scenes. And, yes, it does remind me of "Band of Brothers", "Private Ryan" and other movies that do not sugar-coat the horror of having to kill other people, in the attempt not to be killed.
The soundtrack seems like it is going to be good, too.
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32 Javabeans
June 19, 2010 at 11:51 AM
@AuntieMame, I'd call it a bad translation. Nowhere do Korean media say they're "celebrating" the war.
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33 Auntiemame
June 19, 2010 at 12:13 PM
@Javabeans - I am glad that it is just bad translation. Thank you so much for the clarification.
I just finished watching the first episode. And, all I did was cried for all of them. Since I'm not a Korean-speaker, I don't understand the dialog. So, I can only go by the visual. The visual was enough to make me cry.
This is a hard drama to watch. The first episode does not sugar-coat or pull any punches. It is reminiscent of "Band of Brothers", "Private Ryan", etc.
And, the application of the soundtrack was marvelous.
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34 reese
June 19, 2010 at 2:38 PM
I think I'll definitely be watching this over Road Number 1; I always liked Band of Brothers more than Pearl Harbor.
This will definitely be the more interesting of the two. I totally forgot this drama was even being made since I haven't really heard news about it anywhere. But it's good to know that WithS2 will be subbing it so I can watch it.
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35 anna
June 19, 2010 at 4:42 PM
Yay! No weepy love story. I can get into this.
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36 Kiara
June 19, 2010 at 11:13 PM
I absolutely love Choi Su-jong. He made me love historical dramas. I'm not a war drama fan but reading this makes me want to tune in.
OMG did you say Sir Alcheon is in it too? ..YaY for Lee Seung-hyo. Looks like the Hwarangs are ditching their swords for bayonets.
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37 chajjye
June 20, 2010 at 12:06 AM
man, the whole thing reminds me of taegukgi...and i cried buckets of tears over that show.
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38 candidcamera
June 20, 2010 at 3:36 PM
From my recollection of 'The Infamous Chil Sisters', nobody ever looked better than Lee Tae Ran wearing a military uniform. From my compleat recollection of her as she strode up to the podium to win the top excellence in acting award that year, no "body" ever looked better in an evening gown....I'm in!
P.S. I don't know who this Lee In-hye is, but she also looks to be another reason that it will be it hard for the boys to concentrate on the war....
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39 grace, the one from Jersey, USA
June 21, 2010 at 9:46 AM
I'm nowhere near being an expert on who's who and what's the
Korean name of actors on this site, or where I've seen them before.
SOME names are familiar to me......but mostly I have no clue.
Then I saw this great poster for "Legend of the Patriots!"
I RECOGNIZED THIS TRIO SO FAST, THAT EVEN I'M AMAZED AT ME. :)
Hey, that's the evil Tang general Xue Rengui....the villain I love to hate.
No contoured beard and snappy 7th century hairdo? Can't fool me.
He's the king of saying....."Heh, heh, heh"......in such a great, yet evil, way.
Wait a minute.......the guy in the middle of the photograph? Holy smokes!!!!
THE STAR......of "Dae Jo Young!!!!" These two guys are together again?
And along with a few other people mentioned in this article, the cast for
this series looks like a reunion for DJY and the Iron Empress, doesn't it?
I've lived with them all for about 2 years ~ 130+ episodes for Dae Jo Young
and 70+ for the Iron Empress, and there's no way that this gang of happy
funsters will deliver anything other than spectacular performances.
Thank you, javabeans, but no need for you to do a episode summary re-cap.
I'll just buy, like....NOW, the DVD of this little number.
And the dramatic / gorgeous poster (above) ain't too shabby none, either.
LOVE IT!!!!!! :)
PS..........I also recognize 25% of the famous / infamous "Chill Sisters" :)
which was kind of a complicated storyline, but great fun to watch.
~ Thanks so much for posting the news of this series.
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40 nguyen phan
July 31, 2010 at 8:40 PM
Hi,
Im late to the party... can some one please tell me where to buy the dvd for this movie?? thank you very much
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41 Traxster
August 11, 2010 at 7:13 AM
This has just started here in Thailand and it's starting to look really good.
Can anyone please tell me about the terrific theme song which is sung at the end of each epoisode ?...
like who sings it is it available on disc etc ?
Thankyou for your time.
Traxster....
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42 Traxster
August 11, 2010 at 7:14 AM
Sorry forgot to include my email addy
[email protected]
Cheers........
Trax.....
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43 Mike Flynn
August 21, 2010 at 11:50 PM
I also want the DVD for this.
I just caught a few episodes on TV with English subtitles.
I spent more than a year in Korea. Four months in a pup tent near the DMZ in the Korean sector (not the American sector) during 1969.
There was a secret war called "the Second Korean War".
I saw many entrenchments from the war and many old pieces of uniform, field gear and boots in the dirt. I feel close to this.
Besides a movie like this, the book "This Kind of War" will open the eyes about the mistakes and tragedies of this war.
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44 alif
November 28, 2010 at 6:14 PM
i like this movie this war movie is so sofun :) >:)
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45 Htoo Myat Aung(Myanmar)
September 10, 2011 at 1:59 PM
I am too like this movie.I repeated watch this movie.
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46 Col. Katdaddy
November 17, 2012 at 2:53 PM
as an American.. an American who had a veteran uncle of this war . i found this facinating... an eye opening look from the Korean perspective... both north and south. the battle scenes are depicted with such ferocity and accuracy, its as if my uncles stories and discritions of a chinese army attack came alive!. ... and for me thats never been done before.. a great show with a great cast and just enogh mushy stuff to keep your wife on the couch ...lol... they gotta have that stuff....LOL.. i would like to know about the theme song.
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47 khattar
July 24, 2014 at 4:33 PM
What is this movie name? Please.
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