Watch Korea: The Forgotten War

Korea: The Forgotten War is a compelling documentary series that delves into the Korean War. The series was produced by History Channel and represents a meticulous and in-depth view of the causes, progression, and aftermath of the war, from the wintery battles at Chosin Reservoir to the secret talks in Panmunjom. The series brings together rare archival footage, interviews, and expert commentary and analysis to paint a well-rounded picture of one of the most brutal conflicts in history.

The series explores the Korean War's origins, which began in 1945 when the United States and the Soviet Union landed troops on the peninsula; supplanting Japanese rule, which had occupied Korea from 1910 to the close of World War II. With both superpowers taking flags on opposite sides of the 38th parallel, the stage was set, and within a year, the partition turned into a full-scale conflict. The first episode of the series sets the stage by exploring the political and military leadership, like General MacArthur, tasked with orchestrating the war effort.

As the war stretched on, many pivotal moments and turning points emerged. The series covers significant campaigns of the war, including the battle for Seoul and the iconic battle of Chosin Reservoir. The Battle of Chosin depicts one of the most pivotal moments in the war, a decisive showdown that took place between US troops and Chinese forces in the frigid heights of North Korea. The episode offers a range of gripping accounts of the harsh conditions and the ensuing waves of attack, with experts recounting how the US troops fought the Chinese army to a stalemate, before eventually overcoming their opponents and prompting them to leave the Korean peninsula.

The series also covers the earlier stage of the war in which United Nations troops pushed the North Koreans deep into their homeland before the Chinese entry into the conflict. Several episodes are dedicated to exploring the massive operations that characterized this early phase, like Operation Thunderbolt and the amphibious landing at Inchon, whose success permitted UN forces to control Seoul and push back North Korean forces. The series also addresses how war tactics evolved over time as the war progressed; the UN forces employed air and naval advantages, while the Chinese launched nocturnal attacks, thereby intensifying the conflict.

The series offers exclusive interviews with key figures, many now veterans, who brought the war to life. The interviews also provide an intimate connection to the emotions and thoughts of the soldiers fighting on the front line, giving a stark perspective on military life, often harsh and brutal, as they battled in foreign land for freedom they do not have.

In summary, the documentary is a comprehensive and gripping look at the Korean War's long-lasting impact on the world. The series takes a deep dive beyond the battlefield and highlights the civilians caught up in the crossfire, the post-war effects, the political activities like the DMZ and how the country would remain deeply divided due to the war. From the legacy of the war and its impact on future US intervention, the series details a war that would go on to influence political and military strategy for decades to come. The series accurately shows that the Korean War was, and still is, an essential event that shaped modern-day Geopolitics.

Korea: The Forgotten War is a series that ran for 1 seasons (10 episodes) between March 6, 2006 and on History