Man of Will is a historical drama that tells the story of Korean rebel Kim Chang-soo who murdered a Japanese assassin whom he suspected to have assassinated the Korean empress Myeongseong. He proudly admits the crime and is sentenced to death during a fake trial organized by the Japanese invaders. While being on death row, he is sent to a prison in Incheon where inmates have to do hard physical labour. In the beginning, the free-spirited patriot clashes with other inmates. However, he soon uses his skillful writing to send petitions that improve the lives of other inmates and even their guards. Those who are in charge of the prison and influent Japanese politicians want to see him dead however.
Despite a patriotic note, Man of Will is a rather authentic historical drama that shows the ordeals Koreans had to go through in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The characters, costumes and locations bring those dark days back to life. The protagonist is a proud rebel with a heart of gold and it's easy to empathize with him. The side characters are equally intriguing. The most charming thing about the film is how the protagonist is initially seen as an outcast before gaining the respect of other inmates and ending up giving hope to the hopeless.
If you are interested in Asian culture and history, you should definitely watch this authentic historical drama. The story based upon true events is inspiring, the settings are authentic and the actors become one with their characters. Thanks to the dedication of everyone involved, the complex topic becomes easy to digest without ever being superficial. The movie is entertaining from start to finish, has emotional and philosphical depth and even teaches you about the Independence and later on reunification activist Kim Koo.
