General's Son (1990 Film)

General's Son (Korean: 장군의 아들; RR: Janggunui adeul) is a 1990 South Korean action film directed by Im Kwon-taek. The film is a biographical drama based on the life of Kim Doo-han, a prominent figure in Korean history known for his role as an independence activist and a leader within the Jongno district during the period of Japanese colonial rule.

Poster for the film General's Son — Promotional poster for the 1990 film General's Son.

Plot

The narrative follows the early life of Kim Doo-han, who grows up as a beggar in the Jongno area of Seoul. As he navigates the harsh realities of life under Japanese occupation, he becomes deeply involved with local street gangs. Due to his exceptional fighting abilities and perceived bravery, he rises through the ranks of the criminal underworld. The film explores his discovery of his heritage as the son of a famous Korean general and his eventual transition into a figure who organizes local residents, students, and gang members to resist Japanese colonial forces.

Production and Release

Directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Im Kwon-taek, General's Son was released in South Korea on June 9, 1990. The film has a runtime of 108 minutes and features a screenplay written by Hong Song-yu and Yoon Sam-yuk. It is noted for its portrayal of the historical tensions in Jongno during the early 20th century.

Cast

Park Sang-min as Kim Doo-han
Shin Hyeon-jun as Hayashi
Lee Il-jae
Bang Eun-hee
Kim Hyeong-il
Hwang Jung-min
Jung Doo-hong
Kim Sun-kyung
Yang Taek-jo
Min Eung-sik as Kim Ki-hwan
No Seung-jin