Heaven’s Soldiers

Heaven’s Soldiers

Year: 2005

Runtime: 106 mins

Language: Korean

Director: Min Joon-ki

ComedyActionScience Fiction

Modern day soldiers travel back in time and meet Admiral Lee, the greatest soldier of all time, and motivate him to drive out invaders.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Heaven’s Soldiers (2005)

Trace every key event in Heaven’s Soldiers (2005) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Secret surrender talks at the DMZ bunker

High level talks near the DMZ lead to an agreement to surrender the weapon and shut the bunker. Kang Min-gil, disillusioned by the negotiations, defies orders and steals the warhead. His act triggers a dangerous chase and a volatile political crisis.

Present during negotiations Underground bunker near the DMZ
2

South Korean forces deploy to retrieve the warhead

Following the theft, Seoul dispatches a Naval Special Forces platoon under Major Park Jung-woo to retrieve the weapon and secure the facility. The mission tightens as time runs short and loyalties are tested.

Immediately after theft Coastal waters near the DMZ
3

Water pursuit and firefight

On the water, the modern platoon corners Kang and his squad, triggering a tense firefight. The clash tests training and resolve as both sides fight for control of the weapon. The sequence ends with an abrupt celestial disruption.

During pursuit Sea near the DMZ
4

Celestial anomaly and time rift

A comet approaches Earth, triggering a time rift that folds the present into the 1572 past within its 433 year cycle. The battlefield shifts from the sea to a distant era as the rescuers become travelers in time.

Moment of the comet's approach Over the DMZ waters
5

Arrival in 1572 with the warhead

Three modern Koreans and Dr. Kim Su-yeon find themselves in 1572 along with the missing warhead, landing amid Joseon and Jurchen clashes. They must navigate a harsh and unfamiliar world while carrying advanced weapons and knowledge. The group encounters shifting loyalties as history unfolds.

1572 1572 countryside near a village
6

Yi Sun-shin encounters the outsiders

Yi Sun-shin, a scrappy thief and ginseng smuggler who has just failed his Gwageo exam, crosses paths with the newcomers. He has hidden the modern soldiers' small arms, unsure of their origins or loyalties. The encounter sows the seed of the Heavenly Soldiers nickname.

1572 1572 near a village
7

Peasant girl finds handgun and the Heavenly Soldiers nickname

A young peasant girl uncovers one of the handguns, drawing attention from wary villagers and spies. The strange abilities of the modern fighters give rise to the Heavenly Soldiers nickname. The discovery accelerates locals to form opinions about these outsiders.

1572 Village outskirts
8

North Koreans recover warhead from a tent

The North Koreans encounter Yi again, release him, and eventually recover the warhead from inside a war leader's tent. This act deepens the conflict and tests loyalties between the invaders and locals.

1572 War leader's tent
9

Kang kills the chieftain's son; Jurchen counterattack

Kang is forced to kill the son of a local chieftain, provoking a brutal Jurchen counterattack against the Heavenly Soldiers. The villagers brace for a harsh assault while the warhead remains a flashpoint. The balance of power tilts as both sides react to the violence.

1572 Village vicinity
10

Yi counsels a combined defense

Yi convinces Park and the elders to combine ambush tactics with a decisive last stand to protect the villagers who have welcomed them. The plan blends military pragmatism with protecting the innocent. The Heavenly Soldiers begin to implement it as the threat closes in.

1572 Village
11

Night before closest approach; Yi knocked unconscious

On the eve of the comet's closest approach, Park urges Yi to save himself, but Yi resists and is knocked unconscious. He is carried away with the others as the group prepares for the final stand. The village holds its breath as the clash with the invaders intensifies.

Night before closest approach Village outskirts
12

Yi escapes and fights with villagers

Yi escapes confinement and reenters the battle alongside the Heavenly Soldiers and villagers. They endure a protracted fight that inflicts heavy losses on the Jurchens before the invaders falter. Survivors include Park, Choi Gwang, and Yi.

1572 Battlefield around the village
13

Return to the present and warhead decision

Dr. Kim and the warhead return to the present, and the general staff reports the moral and physical sacrifices. Political caution leads to the decision to turn over the warhead rather than honoring the soldiers. The modern saga ends with a bitter twist of diplomacy.

Post travel Present-day Korea
14

Memorial visit and Myeongnyang prologue

Dr. Kim visits Admiral Yi's memorial, and the film cuts to the opening moments of the Battle of Myeongnyang Strait. Yi orders a bold charge from his flagship, alongside Park Jung-woo and Choi Gwang as trusted staff. The scene signals that courage and cunning can shape a nation's future even when history itself seems bent.

Present-day epilogue Admiral Yi memorial; Myeongnyang Strait

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:47

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Heaven’s Soldiers Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Heaven’s Soldiers

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