Quartile rating: 8/10 · 1 rating
During the invasion of Normandy the photograph of a slim Korean man in German uniform was found. It transpired that the man had served as a soldier in the Japanese, Russian and German armies. His incredible story inspired director Kang Je-Gyu to create this epic war drama.
My Way is built on a genuinely extraordinary true-story premise — a Korean man who fought under three different flags — giving it exceptional Novelty and a sweeping historical scope rarely seen in Korean cinema. The cinematography is spectacular, with massive battle sequences (Nomonhan, Normandy) staged on a scale rivaling Hollywood epics, earning a well-above-average mark. The plot, while epic in ambition, leans on familiar war-film beats and melodramatic arcs between the Korean and Japanese protagonists, keeping it solidly competent but not transcendent. Acting is functional and committed but uneven, particularly in broader dramatic moments. The ending resolves the central rivalry with emotional satisfaction but feels somewhat predictable given the setup.