Netflix has officially commenced production on its new original film The Generals (working title), a political thriller delving into the dark chapters of South Korean history.
This marks the first feature film in eight years for acclaimed director Yoon Jong-bin, the creative force behind Narco-Saints and The Spy Gone North. The narrative meticulously dissects the anatomy of power, focusing on the rise of dictator Chun Doo-hwan and his successor, Roh Tae-woo, the primary architects of the 1979 military coup.
The Generals explores the treacherous journey of Roh Tae-woo, who carefully crafted a public image as an “ordinary man” while navigating the absolute authority of Chun Doo-hwan to reach the summit of power himself.
The Generals features a powerhouse cast, bringing together two of Korea’s most prominent leading men, Son Suk-ku and Ha Jung-woo, for their first on-screen pairing. Son Suk-ku, known for his roles in D.P. and A Killer Paradox, portrays Roh Tae-woo, while Ha Jung-woo takes on the role of dictator Chun Doo-hwan. They are supported by a formidable ensemble including Ji Chang-wook as a disruptive young officer, Hyun Bong-sik as a mutual confidant to both leaders, and Seo Hyun-woo as Roh’s loyal chief of staff.
Reeling back into his signature themes, director Yoon Jong-bin uses the backdrop of political turbulence to explore human ambition and survival mechanisms within rigid hierarchies. This production capitalizes on the surging commercial success of South Korean political dramas that confront the nation’s authoritarian past, following in the footsteps of the record-breaking hit 12.12: The Day.
