Year released: 2019

Genre: Action/War Movie

Main Cast: Kim Myung Min, Choi Min Ho, Megan Fox

*This was a damn good movie. But it was a hard watch. Please consider this your warning. *

I need to thank Well Go USA Entertainment for letting me know about Battle of Jangsari ( 장사리: 잊혀진 영웅들). I’m a sucker for war movies. When I heard that Choi Min Ho (from SHINee) was starring in it, I knew I had to watch. This action movie is about a group of 772 student soldiers who staged a small diversionary operation at Jangsari beach to draw away North Korean attention from Incheon.

In the beginning, I didn’t think it would be too emotional for me. Honestly, I was just excited that I would be seeing Min Ho. You would think that I would know better by now, judging movies based on actors’ past experiences, but apparently, I’m a clown for life.

Now before I push play, let me just say that I’m here for #choiminho. I know Megan Fox is in it too but #battleofJangsari pic.twitter.com/VX49bWmk5p

— Sara 사라 (@Young_Ajummah) January 21, 2020

Battle of Jangsari is a true story from the Korean War. The movie shows that people haven’t forgotten about the heroes who gave their lives to protect their country. I don’t know much about the Korean War, despite my time in the military, so I was looking forward to learning more about it. The first few scenes showed what life was like being on a ship in rough seas. I empathized with them. I never had seasickness while I was in the Navy, but I know it can be brutal.
Kim Myung Min plays a top-notch guerrilla army unit Captain Lee Myung-Joon. He and his second in command, Ryu Tae-Seok, lead the group of student soldiers to take Jangsari Beach from the North Korean Army. Before I could get annoyed by the infighting that was happening below decks, the ship had run aground (hit the bottom of the ocean floor), and the kids were in the sea. The fight was on.

credit: Well Go USA

War isn’t pretty, but sometimes movies put a glossy tinge on it, to make it easier for the viewers to digest. That wasn’t the case with Battle of Jangsari. The scene reminded me of Saving Private Ryan’s Normandy Beach scene. It was that brutal. The student soldiers began to stand out during this scene. Min Ho plays squad leader Choi Sung-Pil who helps win the battle for the beach during those tense moments. He and his squad, under the direction of the cadre, overtake three snipers and their crew.

After the battle ended, the students tried their best to care for the wounded, honor their dead, and figure out their next move. Their radio no longer worked, they had no supplies and are completely alone. It didn’t look pretty. Captain Lee Myung-Joon decide to take Sung-Pil’s squad to do recon and create a trap for North Korean soldiers.
The trap was successful but cost a heavy price within the squad. With the morale low, the soldiers began fighting and arguing amongst themselves. Just as it seemed as if things couldn’t get any worse, the Army sends a helicopter with news and food. I knew better than to let my guard down at that.

Its unfortunate but I DO believe this happens in war. Maybe not as extreme but yeah. #BattleofJangsari This movie hurts. pic.twitter.com/osCYjbTCWf

— Sara 사라 (@Young_Ajummah) January 21, 2020

Overall, this was a great movie. Meagan Fox played a solid supporting role as Marguerite Higgins, a news reporter covering the war. Questions flooded my mind throughout the movie. I voiced them on Twitter but won’t here, just in case you don’t like spoilers. Check out Battle of Jangsari, and we can discuss what you thought in the comments or on social media.

Watch the trailer below and let me know what you think about it below!