Once Upon a Time in a Battlefield

The narrative unfolds during the late Three Kingdoms period when Baekje, Silla, and Goguryeo vie for dominance, with Tang China exerting imperial influence. The era is marked by grand military campaigns, shifting loyalties, and brutal sacrifices. The looming threat from a Tang-Silla alliance shapes the fate of Baekje and its leaders.

Set in the late Three Kingdoms era of the Korean peninsula, the film traverses Baekje and Silla as they contend with Tang China. The climactic clash unfolds at the Hwangsanbeol battlefield, a focal point where rival kingdoms confront a larger imperial power. The story centers on court intrigue and shifting alliances that follow the looming invasion.

🛡️ Duty & Sacrifice

The film centers on the idea that leadership often demands personal cost. Gyebaek accepts a near-impossible burden, and he ultimately sacrifices his wife and eldest daughter to shield them from capture. The narrative frames honor and duty as sometimes requiring stark, painful choices.

⚔️ War & Strategy

Strategy drives the plot as Gyebaek and Kim Yu-sin test each other with calculated moves. A game of janggi reveals intent and deception, while armor is sealed to emphasize resolve. Battles unfold in rain and chaos, underscoring the brutal calculus of war.

🤝 Alliance & Betrayal

The Tang-Silla alliance against Baekje exposes how political power is negotiated and fractured. Loyalties shift as commanders weigh the costs of allegiance, while the pursuit of territory outruns personal loyalties. The story questions whether unity can endure in the face of imperial ambition.