A Deep Dive into “Taegukgi: Brotherhood of War”
“Taegukgi: Brotherhood of War,” featuring Jang Dong-gun and Won Bin, transcends the typical war film genre. It’s a heart-wrenching portrayal of brotherhood, self-sacrifice, and the devastating consequences of war, leaving a lasting impact long after the credits roll.
Life Before the Abyss
The serene opening scenes depict Jin-tae as a skilled shoemaker in the 1950s. His craft ensures his family’s well-being. His love for his fiancée is unmistakable. Jin-seok, his younger brother, is a studious and sensitive young man with aspirations of attending university, shielded by Jin-tae’s unwavering protection.
Their dreams were simple, Jin-tae sought to create masterful shoes, and Jin-seok wanted to go to the best university possible. Quickly, their life would be turned upside down. The rise of soilders, and the start of political divide was everywhere.
When Jin-tae’s fiancée filled out a form to get rice, without even knowing, that act made her part of a certain polital party, impacting her in ways she couldn’t imagine.
This underscores how individuals are swept up into conflicts and how the small choices can have big consequences.
Thrown into Turmoil
Jin-seok is forcefully drafted into the military. Overcome, Jin-tae finds his brother and enlists with him, and both brothers end up in the middle of the war together.
A soldier in their regiment expresses, “How can a family have both its men taken away?”
This remark encapsulates the collective sorrow of families ripped by the brutal nature of war.
The Price of Sacrifice
Driven by an unwavering love for his brother, Jin-tae dedicates himself to send Jin-seok home. He asks his superiors if something could get Jin-seok released. His superiors respond that if Jin-tae recieves a metal, that they would consider it
Jin-tae’s transformation is complete. Jin-seok struggles and is devastated. He doesn’t understand what his brother has devolved into. Jin-seok is completely torn apart when Jin-tae turns on his friend, merely because they are on seperate sides.
Jin-seok believes even though the friend is on a different side, that shouldn’t mean that they abandon their allies… But Jin-tae seems to have a political obsession. This illustrates how war can change people, and have politics turn people into enemies.
This shows how during conflicts, commoners can be pitted against one another due to politics.
Descending into Chaos
The terrible conflict starts to impact Jin-seok. His brothers recklessness to save him, disregard to save others, as well as the accusation between his brother and fiance all become extremely apparent to Jin-seok.
Nothing could ever be the same again. War completely impacted everyone. Jin-tae switches sides, confused by his brother. The brothers start fighting on opposite sides.
The brothers fighting represented the divide within all of Korea.
A Broad Vision
There’s also a scene where Chinese forces came in, which gives a glance at the view of Koreans overall.
This shows us, and doesn’t amplify or denounce in anyway. This becomes an eye opener for both Jin-Tae as well as Jin-Seok.
We were factored in a key way, which turns the tide of war.
The Enduring Scars
The film finishes, and its real impact isn’t over awe, but sadness
Its sorrow that impacts everyone overall.
Too many have been impacted by these kinds of events. No one should.
But ultimately people always do. You have no decision.
In the end, Jin-seok makes it out alive, and Jin-tae burried forever
Countless families had to go through what these family went through. Ultimately surviving through war is the real victory.