War of the Arrows (2011 Film)
War of the Arrows (Korean: 최종병기 활; RR: Choejongbyungki Hwal) is a 2011 South Korean action film directed by Kim Han-min. Set during the 17th-century second Manchu invasion of Korea, the narrative follows Nam-yi, a skilled archer who attempts to rescue his younger sister, Ja-in, after she is abducted by Qing Dynasty forces.
Plot
Nam-yi is the son of a man branded a traitor. Following his father's death, he and his sister Ja-in are raised by a family friend, Kim Moo-sun. Lacking a clear future due to his father's reputation, Nam-yi focuses on honing his skills as a master archer. Years later, on the day of Ja-in's wedding to Seo-goon, the village is attacked by invading Qing forces. Many residents are killed or taken captive, including Ja-in and her new husband. Nam-yi, who was hunting in the mountains during the attack, returns to find his home destroyed and his sister missing. He embarks on a pursuit of the Qing army, using his archery skills to eliminate the captors one by one. The Qing commander, Jyu Shin-ta, eventually realizes he is being hunted and initiates a counter-pursuit.
Production and Release
The film was released in South Korea on August 11, 2011. It features dialogue in both Korean and Manchu. The film was distributed by Lotte Entertainment and achieved significant commercial success within the domestic market.
Reception
War of the Arrows was a major box office success in South Korea. By September 4, 2011, the film had surpassed 5 million admissions. By September 26, 2011, it reached 7 million tickets sold, becoming the third film of the year to achieve this milestone. As of October 23, 2011, it was the highest-grossing film in South Korea for the year, with a total of 7,451,344 admissions.
Cast
- Park Hae-il as Nam-yi
- Ryu Seung-ryong as Jyu Shin-ta
- Moon Chae-won as Ja-in
- Kim Moo-yul as Seo-goon
- Lee Han-wi as Gap-yong
- Lee Kyoung-young as Kim Moo-sun
- Park Ki-woong as Doreukon
- Ryohei Otani as Nogami
