The Coast Guard (2002 Film)

The Coast Guard (Korean: 해안선; RR: Hae Anseon) is a 2002 South Korean drama film written and directed by Kim Ki-duk. The film examines the psychological deterioration of soldiers stationed along the South Korean coastline and the civilian impact of military paranoia.

The Coast Guard film poster — The official theatrical poster for The Coast Guard.

Plot

Private Kang, played by Jang Dong-gun, is a soldier serving in a coastal unit tasked with guarding against North Korean infiltrators. Despite the lack of actual security threats, Kang maintains a state of extreme vigilance, often wearing camouflage face paint. During a night patrol, Kang mistakes a civilian couple on the beach for North Korean spies and opens fire, killing the man. Although the incident is a tragic error, Kang is initially celebrated for his actions and granted leave. Upon his return to duty, his mental state begins to collapse, leading to increasingly violent behavior. Simultaneously, the girlfriend of the deceased, Mi-young, struggles with profound grief and psychological trauma following the loss of her partner.

Cast

The film features an ensemble cast portraying the soldiers and civilians affected by the events at the coast:

Jang Dong-gun as Private Kang
Kim Jung-hak as Private Kim
Park Ji-a as Mi-young
Yu Hae-jin as Cheol-gu

Jang Dong-gun in his role as Private Kang.

Production

Directed by Kim Ki-duk, the film was released in South Korea on November 22, 2002. It features cinematography by Baek Dong-hyun and was produced by Kim Sang-geun and Lee Seung-jae. The film has a runtime of 94 minutes.

Scene from The Coast Guard — A scene depicting the military environment in the film.