Asian Drama

The film promises to show the struggles of small-time people as well as their success stories.

During the Qing Invasion of Korea, the king and the court take refuge in a mountain fortress, where they find themselves stranded in the cold and surrounded by the enemy. The king’s dilemma deepens as his people in the fortress start dying from cold and hunger. In 1636, Qing China invades Korea with 150,000 troops. The Korean court flees the capital to take shelter in the Namhan Fortress, located in treacherous mountains outside the city. The Qing army, led by General Yong Gol Dae, quickly surrounds the fortress, leaving the king and the court stranded in a prolonged standoff. For a truce, the Qing general makes a humiliating proposal of sending the Crown Prince out as hostage. Unable to move forward or fight the outnumbering enemy, the people of the fortress start dying from cold and hunger. Between the interior minister, who emphasizes the king’s duty to protect the lives of his subjects regardless of humiliation, and the minister of rites, who maintains that they must fight to death for the greater cause, the king must make a grave choice.

What is it like for a person of power to live in Korean society? Apparently, it’s like being royalty.

From childhood, Park Tae Soo yearned for power. Born in a poor family, he reigned over fellow students with his fist before he caught a glimpse of what he called “real power” -- the sight of his thug father being beaten up by a pencil-neck prosecutor. It was then that he decided to pursue a career in law, the biggest symbol of power in the 90’s. After entering the most prestigious law school, experiencing democratic resistance in Korea, Tae Soo finally reaches his goal of becoming a prosecutor, but his life is no better than a salary man. By chance, he joins a clique of the powerful prosecutors with wealth and authority. He finally gets a taste of a life of the top hierarchy, but as he enjoys the sweetness of supremacy, he also sees the cruel side of it. Tae Soo soon realizes that real power comes at a price: forfeiting one’s conscience and pride. Entering star prosecutor Han Kang Shik’s inner circle, he slowly commences on a descent into corruption and ascent to power.

The night watchmen of Joseon patrol the darkest hours of the day to protect the people from the evilest of all enemies. Ghosts, monsters, and supernatural forces abound and those who can see them, fight them. Lee Rin (Jung Il Woo) is the heir to the throne but chooses to lives his life as a watchman, as his father had once before him, rather than live in the palace. But when he sees the plight of his citizens under the rule of his tyrannical father, he learns that his gift can also be a curse if he lets the evil spirits take over him, and battles his way to becoming the rightful ruler of Joseon.