80th Liberation Day Must-watch dramas, films on Korea’s independence struggle

A scene from the tvN drama "Mr. Sunshine" (2018) / Courtesy of CJ ENM

By Park Jin-hai

• Published Aug 13, 2025 12:00 PM KST
• Updated Aug 18, 2025 11:12 AM KST

This year’s Liberation Day, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of colonial Japanese rule, offers a moment to remember both the atrocities committed by Japan and the sacrifices of Korea’s independence activists. One way to reflect on this history is by watching a drama or film that brings these stories to life.

The Korea Times asked five experts to recommend dramas and films that embody the spirit of this historic occasion. The panel includes 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.

Among their recommendations, four standout titles emerged: the acclaimed drama "Mr. Sunshine"; the gripping thrillers "The Age of Shadows" and "Assassination"; and the poignant black-and-white classic from the Japanese colonial period, "Spring on the Korean Peninsula."

'Mr. Sunshine' (2018)

Set in the final years of the Korean Empire in the early 1900s, this historical drama tells the story of Korean boy born into slavery who escapes to the United States and returns years later as a U.S. Marine officer (Lee Byung-hun). He gets involved in the fight for Korean independence, falling in love with an aristocrat's daughter while facing political and social turmoil.

Lee Ha-na noted that the drama, the first to depict righteous (civilian) armies, masterfully unfolds around a female aristocrat who joins the militia, along with three men representing some of the factions and perspectives of the time.

"Its significance lies in bringing to life an era and theme rarely portrayed in film or television, imprinting them on the public consciousness through stunning visuals and symbolic dialogue," she said.

Jung also praised the drama as a brilliant work that frames the story of the righteous army within a romance.

"It does not merely recount the grand narrative of Korea’s independence struggle and anti-Japanese resistance, but rather tells the personal stories of individuals fiercely grappling with a rapidly changing era, each fighting in their own way," he said.

'The Age of Shadows' (2016)

Set during the Japanese occupation of Korea, this film follows the tense cat-and-mouse game between the resistance group Uiyeoldan, or Heroic Corps, and Japanese police. It centers on Lee Jung-chool (Song Kang-ho), a Korean-born police officer serving Japan, who is modeled after the real-life figure Hwang Ok. He is ordered to track down the resistance but becomes conflicted as his sympathy for the independence movement grows. The film is noted for its stylish set pieces, harrowing train sequences and a narrative that blends historical events with espionage action.

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 in the colonial period.”

Lee noted, “Not only did double agents genuinely exist during the Japanese occupation, but they also operated covertly in large numbers. and this film has played a significant role in bringing their existence to public awareness.”

While the historical assessment of the real Hwang Ok remains divided, the very concept of a spy who doesn't fit into the binary of independence activists versus Japanese collaborators still resonates.

"Instead, spies represent the diverse lives, sorrows and struggles of people who lived through the colonial era," Lee said.

'Assassination' (2015)

Set in Shanghai and Seoul during the 1930s, this film revolves around Ahn Ok-yun (Jun Ji-hyun), a sniper from the Korean independence army in Manchuria, northeastern China. She is sent to Seoul to lead a plot by the exiled provisional Korean government in Shanghai to assassinate the commander of the Japanese troops in Korea and a pro-Japanese Korean business tycoon.

Jung considers “Assassination” a work that tells “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.”

Lee said its significance lies in drawing public interest toward the independence movement and lesser-known activists, pointing out that the box office hit — seen by more than 12.7 million viewers — was the first to depict independence activist Kim Won-bong in popular culture.

“It is true that the film increased the public’s favorability toward Kim Won-bong. As his life and activities in the independence movement were reexamined, there was even controversy about whether to award him with the Order of Merit (in 2019)," she said.

'Spring on the Korean Peninsula' (1941)

This black-and-white film is about a Korean crew's efforts to make a culturally important film during Japanese occupation, and weaves together themes of loyalty, artistic struggle and subtle resistance through their attempts to adapt "Chunhyangjeon," a well-known Korean tale symbolizing chastity.

It is considered historically important, not only as a testament to the resilience of Korean filmmakers under colonial rule but also as one of the few surviving Korean films from that era.

Saeji said, “As a film about making a film, it 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. I always include this film in my Modern Korean History class curriculum because it sparks engaging discussions on the theme of collaboration with the Japanese.”

Lee observed that the film vividly depicts the hardships faced by filmmakers during this era by including scenes of filming; the interplay between investors, producers and directors; and the casting of actors.

She said the film also reveals how the Korean film industry gradually shifted toward pro-Japanese agendas.

"Most telling is the portrayal of the creation of the fictional Peninsula Film Production Company. This serves as a prelude and rationalization for the actual establishment of the Chosun Movie Film Production Company in 1942. Although filmmakers had long hoped for the corporatization of the industry, in reality, this development ultimately paved the way for pro-Japanese cinema," Lee said.

More noteworthy works

Besides the four standout titles, the experts also recommended other dramas and films worth watching to gain insight into Korea's independence movement.

Kim recommended the Netflix drama "Gyeongseong Creature" (2023), saying it "effectively melds the creature genre with a striking depiction of human experimentation during the colonial era."

The story revolves around two protagonists, Jang Tae-sang (Park Seo-joon) and Yun Chae-ok (Han So-hee), who team up to uncover the circumstances surrounding a string of missing person cases and confront the unsettling truths that come to light during their investigation. Jang, a wealthy, ambitious and influential pawnshop owner in Gyeongseong (the former name for Seoul), finds his worldview profoundly shaken as he becomes entangled with Yun, a resourceful bounty hunter who searches for missing people, including her own mother.

Kim also highlighted films "Harbin" (2024) and "The Battle: Roar to Victory" (2019), both of which highlight what has often been overlooked — that these historical triumphs were collective achievements, not just the result of a single individual or leader.

Yun recommended the dramas "Different Dreams" (2019), "The Peak" (2011) and "Seoul 1945" (2006) as heavy but insightful works that help viewers understand Korea's liberation.

Starring Yoo Ji-tae and Lee Yo-won, MBC drama "Different Dreams" portrays the life of independence activist Kim Won-bong, who was also a socialist.

"This drama brings to light aspects of the independence movement that were once a taboo. It’s a compelling drama that offers a fresh and nuanced perspective on Korea’s independence history," he said.

MBC's two-part special drama "The Peak," starring K-pop idol and actor Kim Dong-wan, tells the life story of Korean poet and independence activist Yi Yuk-sa.

"Through the poetry of Yi Yuk-sa, this well-made special drama vividly shows the anguish related to the Japanese colonial period," Yun said.

He also recommended the 71-part KBS drama "Seoul 1945" as it encompasses the Japanese colonial period, liberation and the politically chaotic period that followed.

Saeji recommended the comedic film "Radio Dayz" (2008), which tells the story of the first Korean language radio broadcast during the Japanese colonial period.

"As a scholar of Korean performance, I find it quite enjoyable to reflect on the early days of radio broadcasting, a brand new art at that time. In today's internet era, with a proliferation of entertainment options, it is nice to be reminded of how a single media product in the past could capture the imagination of an entire nation," she said.

Saeji also said the film "I Can Speak" (2017), which is about the difficulties faced by Korea's comfort women as they come forward and tell their stories, is a tearjerker.

"It 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," she said.

Lee recommended "Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet" (2016), which tells the story of the poet Yoon Dong-ju. She described it as a beautiful film that overcomes the low budget typical of independent films, with direction that harmonizes poetry and life and black-and-white visuals that give it the feel of an art film.

"Throughout the movie, you experience the human charm of Yoon Dong-ju, his pure poetry that resembles him and a renewed empathy for the struggles of youth during the Japanese colonial period," she said.

Another must-watch film, "Anarchist from Colony" (2017), is a biographical period movie about anarchists Park Yeol and Kaneko Fumiko during the Japanese occupation. She says the film faithfully depicts historical events such as the massacre of Koreans after the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, all while maintaining cinematic quality.

"The opening subtitle stating 'This film is based on true facts' is striking — usually films emphasize that they are inspired by true events but are not exactly the same. This reflects director Lee Joon-ik’s confidence and approach to handling history in film, showcasing the touch of a master of historical cinema," she said.