Watch Welcome to Dongmakgol

Welcome to Dongmakgol is a South Korean war comedy film that was released in 2005. The movie, directed by Park Kwang-hyun, features big names such as Kang Hye-jeong, Shin Ha-kyun, and Jae-yeong Jeong in the lead roles. It is set during the Korean War in 1950, telling a story of a group of soldiers from both sides of the conflict who stumble upon a village that has no knowledge about the war. The soldiers face a dilemma on whether they should continue fighting or come together to help the villagers in their quest to maintain peace and harmony.

Dongmakgol is a small village isolated in the middle of a mountain. The villagers are peaceful farmers and haven't had any contact with the outside world for years. The first scene introduces a group of North Korean soldiers led by Corporal Lee Su-hwa (Jae-yeong Jeong) marching through the forest to reach their base. Su-hwa's team comes across two South Korean soldiers, chief warrant officer Lee (Jeong Jae-yeong) and sergeant Hyun-Chul (Shin Ha-kyun), who are fleeing from the enemy's minefield. A fight ensues, and they eventually end up taking refuge in Dongmakgol.

Soon after, the village finds itself with three new guests, who are enemies outside but end up being allies within Dongmakgol. At the same time, Captain Roh (Lim Ha-Ryong), a ruthless South Korean commander, and lieutenant Moon Sang-sang (Seo Jae-kyung), a passionate North Korean officer, are dispatched to Dongmakgol to locate the missing soldiers. The film balances humor against the war tragedies of the characters, creating a heartwarming story that emphasizes on the theme of peace.

The villagers of Dongmakgol are presented as children of nature who live a self-reliant but spiritual life. They don't have electricity, don't know what radios are, and have never seen a plane before. Their learned wisdom, positive attitude, and harmonious community make for a pleasant contrast between them and the outside world, which is immersed in war and conflicts. The villagers spend their days minding the crops and livestock, occasionally coming together for rituals and traditional dances. Despite not speaking the same language, the three soldiers are welcomed by the villagers' open hearts, and it isn't long before they start settling into the rhythm of the village life.

Meanwhile, Roh and Moon navigate their way through unknown territory, using a map they found on one of the missing soldiers. However, the journey isn't easy as they traverse the rugged terrain, evade the enemy, and at the same time, learn the meaning of coexisting. We learn that they both have different views of the war, but as they walk deeper into Dongmakgol, they start discovering their shared humanity and desire for peace.

The beauty of Welcome to Dongmakgol is that it isn't a typical war movie. It's a movie that tries to find meaning in the chaos of war. It subtly brings the message that war can't solve anything and that it's the small acts of kindness that can bring people together. Each character has their particular role to play in this allegory, and director Park Kwang-hyun blends it all together to make an emotional narrative; it is a story of humanity, hope, and peace.

The film is beautifully shot and features one of South Korea's most scenic locations. The cinematography by Kim Woo-hyeong is spectacular in depicting the tranquil landscapes of Dongmakgol. The director creates a dreamlike palette that at times can feel like a fairy tale. However, the film isn't only visually pleasing. The acting from the cast is superbly executed, with each actor bringing their unique style to their characters. Jeong Jae-yeong's assertive portrayal of chief warrant officer Lee is magnificent, along with Shin Ha-kyun's performance as the witty and talkative Sergeant Hyun-Chul. Kang Hye-jeong as the mysterious Yeo-il is effortless in her portrayal, and the chemistry between her and Shin is exquisite.

In conclusion, Welcome to Dongmakgol is a moving and profound piece of cinema. It uses humor and satire, coupled with the tragedy of war to tell a story of the search for humanity in a time of conflict. The movie brings up important questions about the futility of war and the value of peace. Overall, it's a masterful piece of art that speaks to audiences universally, reminding us that peace is always worth fighting for.

Welcome to Dongmakgol is a 2005 comedy with a runtime of 2 hours and 13 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.