Set in the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), "Uprising" tells the story of two childhood friends, Jong Ryeo (Park Jung Min) - the son of Joseon's most famous noble family and his servant - Cheon Young (Kang Dong Won).
As adults, they stand on opposite sides, as Jong Ryeo becomes King Seonjo's (Cha Seung Won) closest general, while Cheon Young becomes a soldier in the righteous army.
Sharing about the film, director Kim Sang Man said that the Korean name of the film means war and rebellion, however, "Uprising" is not simply about war but also a story throughout time, about people living during and after the war.
Meanwhile, male lead Kang Dong Won revealed that the reason he joined was because of the diverse character portrayal.
"I really enjoyed reading the script. It's a story with the dynamics of the characters and individual narratives. While many other films focus mainly on the main character due to time constraints, I really liked how this film unfolded the stories of each character," said Kang Dong Won.
In behind-the-scenes photos, videos, and movie trailers, Kang Dong Won is praised for his impressive sword fighting skills. Along with that, the way he skillfully conveys the character's complex inner thoughts is also a factor that is highly appreciated by the media.
Actor Cha Seung Won, who plays King Seonjo, also expressed confidence in the chemistry between the actors in the film. To play the sensitive and skeptical King Seonjo, the Korean actor worked hard to lose weight.
"Since King Seonjo is so frequently portrayed in the media, the main challenge was finding a way to differentiate between these interpretations. I focused on balancing the character's often destabilizing presence and his sinister actions."
According to the Korea Times, before its official release on October 11, the film "Uprising" was selected as the opening film of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) on October 2, marking the first time in the festival's 29-year history that a streaming film was selected as the opening film.
Notably, after its screening, the film received many positive reviews both domestically and internationally, raising audience expectations for a period action film with the participation of a famous and talented cast.
The director himself also expressed confidence that the film's subject matter will resonate with international audiences, even though the film is set in a specific event in 16th-century Korea.
"I believe that the way the film depicts the individuals involved in society is universal. Previously, foreign guests at BIFF also told me about this topic, so I have more confidence," said the director.
