Director Yoon Jong-bin Returns with ‘The Generals’ (WT), An Incisive Chronicle of a Second-in-Command

[Top Left to Right: Yoon Jong-bin, Son Suk-ku, Ha Jung-woo

Bottom Left to Right: Ji Chang-wook, Hyun Bong-sik, Seo Hyun-woo / Download HERE]

Director Yoon Jong-bin partners once again with Netflix for The Generals (WT), a political drama that traces the rise of a man who has always stood just to the side of absolute power.

From his debut feature The Unforgiven (invited to the 59th Cannes Film Festival) and The Spy Gone North (invited to the 71st Cannes Film Festival) to the globally acclaimed series Narco-Saints, Director Yoon has consistently connected with both critics and audiences through gripping, character-driven stories and meticulous direction. In The Generals (WT), he turns his focus to the paradoxes of modern Korean history and the dark underbelly of power. The film centers on Roh Tae-woo, a lifelong second-in-command who presents himself as an “ordinary person” while maneuvering behind the scenes beside Chun Doo-hwan, the dictator wielding absolute power and authority. Surrounded by allies, rivals and functionaries with their own agendas, Roh navigates a dense network of relationships in his bid to seize the throne for himself.

Having explored the struggles of people trying to survive within rigid hierarchies — as seen in Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time, Kundo: Age of the Rampant, and The Spy Gone North — Director Yoon now captures the unvarnished reality of human nature and the mechanisms of survival set against the backdrop of modern Korean history. Renowned for his ability to evoke the distinct atmosphere of an era and dissect the psychological depths of his characters, Yoon heightens anticipation for how he will portray the human thirst for power amid political turbulence.

Son Suk-ku — acclaimed for his genre-defying performances in hits like A Killer Paradox and D.P., as well as the film The Roundup — steps into the role of Roh Tae-woo.  Historically overshadowed by dictator Chun Doo-hwan and defined more by that association than his own name and actions, Roh is brought to life through Son’s nuanced performance. 

Ha Jung-woo takes on the role of Chun Doo-hwan, the man who wielded unchecked power during the military dictatorship. As Director Yoon Jong-bin’s longtime collaborator, Ha has delivered striking transformations on every project they’ve done together since Yoon’s debut. While Chun has been portrayed in numerous films and series before, there’s already strong anticipation for Ha’s interpretation. With Son Suk-ku and Ha Jung-woo portraying classmates at a military academy who forge a special yet precarious friendship, the two actors are set to depict the intricate, volatile bond between a leader and his second-in-command.

Ji Chang-wook, who has built a formidable filmography blending intense action and profound emotional depth in The Sound of Magic, Revolver, The Manipulated and The Worst of Evil, joins the cast as Heo Hak-seong — a military academy junior whom Roh regards as a thorn in his side. Hyun Bong-sik (Aema, Narco-Saints, A Killer Paradox) takes on the role of Jung Ho-joong, a classmate and friend to both Roh and Chun. Seo Hyun-woo (My Name is Loh Kiwan, Decision to Leave) portrays Park Cheol-woong, a prosecutor and Roh’s trusted staff. Together, this dynamic ensemble of commanding character actors is poised to deliver a uniquely gripping film.

The Generals (WT) is a joint production between Moonlight Film  (Karma, Narco-Saints, The Match, Nine Puzzles) and Sanai Pictures (Mission: Cross, Revolver, Hunt). Bringing together Yong Joon-bin’s visionary direction with a stellar cast including Son Suk-ku, Ha Jung-woo, Ji Chang-wook, Hyun Bong-sik, and Seo Hyun-woo, The Generals (WT) will stream exclusively on Netflix.