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Man of Will (2017) movie poster

Timeline

Man of Will (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 115 mins · Korean
Directed by
Lee Won-tae
Starring
Andreas Fronk, Cho Jin-woong, Yoo Seung-mok, Jeong Man-sik, Jeong Gyu-su, Jung Jin-young

A young man, Kim Chang-soo, is imprisoned and charged with the murder of a Japanese national involved in the assassination of Empress Myeongseong. While incarcerated, he witnesses the persecution of Koreans and transforms into a determined advocate for Korean independence. His experiences evolve him from a convict to a symbol of resistance against oppression.

History Drama Action Cast, crew & box office
On this page (3)
  1. 1 Events in order (13)
  2. 2 Movie threads
  3. 3 Every angle

13 events in order · contains spoilers

Man of Will Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Man of Will (2017) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Murder of a Japanese Man

    In 1896, in the town of Chihapo, Kim Chang-soo takes a drastic action by murdering a Japanese man whom he suspects may have been involved in the assassination of Empress Myeongseong. This act of defiance sets off a chain of events that will change his life forever.

    When
    1896
    Where
    Chihapo

  2. Confession Left Behind

    After committing the murder, Kim Chang-soo leaves a note confessing to the crime at the scene. This act exemplifies his awareness of the consequences of his actions as he prepares for the fallout.

    Where
    Chihapo

  3. Imprisonment and Trial

    Following his bold confession, Kim is imprisoned and put on trial. The circumstances surrounding his trial reflect the tumultuous political climate and the Japanese influence over Korea during this period.

    Where
    Korean Court

  4. Transfer to Incheon Prison

    Kim is eventually moved to a prison in Incheon, where he encounters a bleak reality; many prisoners are uneducated and imprisoned on false charges. This harsh environment ignites his resolve to help his fellow inmates.

    Where
    Incheon

  5. Teaching the Inmates

    Determined to make a difference, Kim begins teaching dozens of prisoners and even prison staff how to read and write. His educational efforts not only empower the inmates but also allow them to defend themselves against their unjust charges.

    Where
    Incheon Prison

  6. Improving Lives

    As word of Kim's lessons spreads, more prisoners seek his guidance, and he gains a reputation for his noble efforts. His teachings also help prison staff effectively petition for better resources from the government.

    Where
    Incheon Prison

  7. Construction of Railways

    Kim and other prisoners are forced to work on the construction of some of the earliest railways in Korea. The working conditions are inhumane, leading to numerous injuries and suffering among the inmates.

    Where
    Korean Railway Sites

  8. Conflict with Kang Hyung-sik

    As Kim's reputation grows, he attracts the ire of the prison director, Kang Hyung-sik, a Japanese sympathizer. Kang responds with violence, personally beating both the prisoners and the prison staff to assert his authority.

    Where
    Incheon Prison

  9. The Execution Order

    As the situation escalates, Japanese consular agents pressure the Korean government to execute Kim for his perceived crimes. A sense of despair looms over the prison as the staff reluctantly comply with the execution order.

    Where
    Incheon Prison

  10. A Last-Minute Reprieve

    Just moments before his scheduled execution, Kim receives an unexpected reprieve when an order from Gojong of Joseon arrives, urging for his life to be spared. This delivers both hope and gratitude as Kim learns of the petition sent by his former students.

    When
    Moments before execution
    Where
    Incheon Prison

  11. Successful Escape

    On March 19, 1898, with the guards' oversight, Kim and several companions stage a daring escape from the prison. Their newfound freedom sends shockwaves through the facility, leading to increased tensions with prison officials.

    When
    19 March 1898
    Where
    Incheon Prison

  12. Kang's Downfall

    Following Kim's escape, an official enters Kang Hyung-sik's office with evidence of his corruption, leading to Kang's arrest. This turn of events illustrates the unraveling of Kang's tyrannical reign over the prison.

    Where
    Kang's Office

  13. Transformation into an Activist

    In the final scene, Kim's appearance changes symbolically as he walks away from the prison, marking his evolution from Kim Chang-soo to the influential activist Kim Gu. This transformation signifies his commitment to fighting for justice and freedom.

Last updated: September 18, 2026 at 08:59

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Movie threads

More Movies Like Man of Will, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Man of Will tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Prisoner to resistance hero stories like Man of Will

Stories where a broken captive rises into a defiant force against oppression. Movies like Man of Will where a captive transforms into a symbol of defiance. These historical and political dramas follow imprisoned characters who find purpose through education, solidarity, and quiet rebellion. If you liked Man of Will's arc from convict to empowered activist, you'll find similar stories of resilience, literacy as liberation, and bittersweet triumph over oppression here.

  • resilient
  • transformative
  • determined
  • uplifting
  • defiant
  • literacy as power
  • Tone: hopeful, defiant, bittersweet
  • Pacing: steady, phase-driven character arc
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories typically begin with an unjust arrest or captivity, then introduce a mentor figure or a spark of awakening, often through literacy, faith, or shared suffering among fellow prisoners. The protagonist undergoes a clear moral evolution, shifting from self-preservation to collective resistance, culminating in an act of escape, defiance, or martyrdom. The narrative rewards patience, showing transformation in distinct phases rather than sudden conversion.

Why they belong together: They share a throughline of personal transformation within the walls of an oppressive system, pairing institutional cruelty with the quiet power of education and solidarity. The pacing is steady and methodical, the tone hopeful despite bleak circumstances, and the endings carry bittersweet weight because freedom is won at the cost of innocence. Movies in this thread treat literacy, mentorship, and dignity as the most subversive weapons against tyranny.

Man of Will movie poster

Man of Will

2017
The Weak and the Wicked movie poster

The Weak and the Wicked

1954
In Pursuit of Honor movie poster

In Pursuit of Honor

1995
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio movie poster

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

2005
Alone Yet Not Alone movie poster

Alone Yet Not Alone

2013
Bright Victory movie poster

Bright Victory

1951
Misbehaviour movie poster

Misbehaviour

2020
The Lost King movie poster

The Lost King

2023

Colonial resistance and independence dramas like Man of Will

Historical dramas where colonized peoples rise against empires and tyrants. Movies like Man of Will set during colonial oppression and the fight for national independence. These historical dramas follow Koreans, Asians, Africans, and other colonized peoples resisting occupation through activism, education, and armed struggle. If you liked Man of Will's portrayal of late Joseon Korea under Japanese rule, you'll find similar stories of political persecution, forced labor, and the painful birth of independence movements here.

  • historical
  • oppressive
  • defiant
  • political
  • colonial resistance
  • forced labor
  • Tone: oppressive, defiant, bittersweet
  • Pacing: steady historical build
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These films often open with the machinery of colonial control: arrests, forced labor, surveillance, and cultural erasure. A protagonist or small group confronts this system, sometimes through direct confrontation and sometimes through cultural preservation, education, or underground organizing. Climaxes frequently involve execution scenes, escapes, or pivotal acts of defiance that become symbolic moments in a nation's memory. The ending tends toward bittersweet, honoring sacrifice while acknowledging incomplete freedom.

Why they belong together: They share an unflinching look at how ordinary people survive and resist under foreign occupation, and they tend to honor real historical figures or composite national heroes. The tone balances oppression with hope, the pacing is steady enough to build historical texture, and the emotional weight sits at a medium level rather than overwhelming dread. Movies in this thread are united by themes of forced labor, political persecution, literacy as rebellion, and the painful forging of national identity.

Man of Will movie poster

Man of Will

2017
Misbehaviour movie poster

Misbehaviour

2020
The Conquerors movie poster

The Conquerors

1932
Anna and the King movie poster

Anna and the King

2000
Mao's Last Dancer movie poster

Mao's Last Dancer

2010
The Vagabond King movie poster

The Vagabond King

1956
The Far Horizons movie poster

The Far Horizons

1955
The Physician movie poster

The Physician

2014

Every angle

Man of Will (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Man of Will in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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