The Age of Shadows

1920s, Seoul. A city draped in shadows of Japanese colonial rule. Inside a dimly lit teahouse, whispers of rebellion brew like dark tea. Lee Jung-chool, a Korean police officer torn between duty and conscience, nervously sips his drink. He’s been tasked by the ruthless Higashi to infiltrate a group of resistance fighters planning to smuggle explosives from Shanghai. But amongst them, he finds Kim Woo-jin, a charismatic leader whose unwavering belief in Korean independence stirs something within Lee. As Lee walks the treacherous tightrope of deception, he meets Yun Gye-soon, a fiery patriot whose piercing gaze seems to see straight through his lies. Caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse, where trust is a luxury and betrayal a certainty, Lee must decide where his allegiance truly lies before the shadows consume them all.

Movie Overview

Movie Cast

Storyline

In the turbulent late 1920s, amidst the oppressive Japanese occupation of Korea, Lee Jung-chool, a Korean police officer working for the Japanese, finds himself caught in a moral abyss. Initially driven by survival and a semblance of power, Lee is tasked with infiltrating the resistance, a group of passionate freedom fighters determined to smuggle explosives from Shanghai to Seoul to destroy key Japanese facilities. However, his resolve begins to waver when he encounters Kim Woo-jin, a charismatic and cunning leader of the resistance. Woo-jin’s unwavering belief in Korean independence and his poignant appeals to Lee’s dormant patriotism create a deep inner conflict. As Lee delves deeper into the resistance network, he also finds himself drawn to Yun Gye-soon, a courageous and resourceful member who embodies the spirit of defiance against the colonizers. Meanwhile, the ruthless Japanese agent, Higashi, grows increasingly suspicious of Lee’s allegiance, tightening the noose and forcing Lee to make increasingly difficult choices. The cat-and-mouse game intensifies as Lee walks a tightrope, feeding information to both sides, desperately trying to protect his own skin while secretly aiding the resistance, culminating in a tense and bloody confrontation on a train bound for Seoul, where Lee’s ultimate decision will determine the fate of the resistance and his own soul, leaving the audience questioning the true cost of freedom and the ambiguity of loyalty in times of oppression.

Details

In the turbulent late 1920s, “The Age of Shadows” plunges into the heart of the Korean resistance against Japanese colonial rule, unfolding a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game across the bustling landscapes of Shanghai and Seoul. Lee Jung-chool, portrayed by Song Kang-ho, a Korean-born police captain in the Japanese administration, grapples with his conscience as he is tasked with hunting down members of the resistance. His path becomes irrevocably intertwined with Kim Woo-jin, played by Gong Yoo, a charismatic and resourceful leader within the resistance movement, as they navigate a dangerous web of deceit and betrayal. As the resistance fighters plot to smuggle explosives from Shanghai to Seoul, aiming to strike a crippling blow against key Japanese facilities, Jung-chool finds himself torn between his duty and a growing sense of patriotism, leading him to question his allegiances. The enigmatic Yun Gye-soon, portrayed by Han Ji-min, adds another layer of complexity, her unwavering commitment to the cause challenging Jung-chool’s resolve and stirring inner turmoil. The ruthless Japanese officer Higashi, played by Shingo Tsurumi, relentlessly pursues the resistance, tightening the noose around them and escalating the tension. As the stakes rise, allegiances blur, and the shadow of betrayal looms large, Jung-chool must make a fateful choice that could determine the fate of the resistance and his own soul. The film explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and the moral ambiguities of war, painting a vivid portrait of a nation yearning for freedom amidst oppression.

FAQs

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What is “The Age of Shadows” about?

Set in the late 1920s, it follows the cat-and-mouse game between Korean resistance fighters transporting explosives from Shanghai to Seoul to destroy Japanese facilities, and the Japanese agents trying to stop them.

When was “The Age of Shadows” released?

It was released on September 7, 2016.

What genres does “The Age of Shadows” belong to?

The movie is classified as Action and Thriller.

Who directed “The Age of Shadows”?

The film was directed by Kim Jee-woon.

Who are some of the main actors in “The Age of Shadows”?

The main cast includes Song Kang-ho, Gong Yoo, and Han Ji-min.

What is the runtime of “The Age of Shadows”?

The movie has a runtime of 140 minutes.

What languages are spoken in “The Age of Shadows”?

The movie features dialogue in Korean, Japanese, Mandarin, and English.

What was the budget for “The Age of Shadows”?

The budget for the movie was 9,620,000 USD.

What was the revenue generated by “The Age of Shadows”?

The movie grossed 53,165,427 USD.

Where was “The Age of Shadows” produced?

The film was produced in South Korea.

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