Jihachon is raw, messy, and surprisingly mean

Is this for you?

If you have the patience for older, rough-around-the-edges political dramas that don’t mind getting their hands dirty, you’ll probably find something to chew on here. But if you need your movies to look expensive or follow a smooth, modern rhythm, you’re going to hate this. It’s loud, it’s angry, and it doesn't give a damn if you're comfortable.

There is something about the way Jihachon frames the struggle between Kithaek Kim and the slum dwellers that feels less like a polished period piece and more like a fever dream. The whole thing has this gritty, desperate energy. You can almost feel the dust from the sets in your own throat. It’s not subtle. Sometimes it feels like the movie is screaming at you, but maybe that’s the point.

Cholgyun Lim’s transformation from a regular worker into this accidental revolutionary leader happens in such a weird, clipped way. One minute he’s just standing there, and the next he’s basically running a boot camp for people who have nothing left to lose. I couldn't stop looking at the extras in the background. Half of them look like they’re genuinely confused about what they’re supposed to be doing, and honestly, that just makes the chaos feel more real.

There’s a scene involving a protest that goes on for a solid three minutes too long. You start to feel the weight of it, the heat, the frustration. It’s uncomfortable, and the camera just refuses to cut away. It’s a bold choice, or maybe they just forgot to edit it down. Either way, it works.

Bits and pieces

• The sound design is genuinely grating at times, which I think I actually liked.
• The military uniforms look like they were pulled out of a bargain bin, which just makes the villains seem even more pathetic.
• Some of the dialogue is so on-the-nose it makes you wince.
• The transition between the calm scenes in the mill and the shouting in the streets is super jarring.

It’s hard not to compare the intensity here to something like Moral, though this is a much meaner beast. It doesn't have the same grace, but it has more teeth. It’s not a movie you watch to feel good about humanity. It’s a movie you watch to remember that people can get pushed pretty far before they decide to push back.

I left the screen feeling tired. In a good way, I guess? It’s not a film I’m going to watch again next weekend, but it’s going to stick in my brain for a while. It’s messy, sure. It’s uneven as all get out. But at least it isn't boring. 🏚️⚔️