The Fortress (2017 film)

 The Fortress is a 2017 South Korean epic historical drama film directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, starring Lee Byung-hun and Kim Yoon-seok. It is based on the novel Namhansanseong by Kim Hoon.

Plot
The film is set during the Qing invasion of Joseon in 1636, when King Injo and his retainers sought refuge in the fortress located in Namhansanseong.

Main
A leader of one of the two ideological cliques that battles in the fortress trying to decide whether to make peace or fight against the Qing dynasty. The other leader of the ideological clique who battles with Choi's opinion and firmly believes in defending the nation's dignity by fighting against the Qing dynasty. The king who is in agony in the tense conflicts between his men over the fate of the nation. A blacksmith sent out with a king's letter to recruit loyal forces. The commander of the Namhansanseong garrison, silently defending the mountain fortress in the extreme cold weather conditions.
 * Lee Byung-hun as Choi Myung-kil
 * Kim Yoon-seok as Kim Sang-hun
 * Park Hae-il as King Injo
 * Go Soo as Seo Nal-soe
 * Park Hee-soon as Lee Shi-baek

Supporting

 * Song Young-chang as Kim Ryoo
 * Jo Woo-jin as Jung Myung-soo
 * Lee David as Chil-bok
 * Heo Sung-tae as Yong Gol-dae
 * Kim Beop-rae as Hong Taiji
 * Jo Ah-in as Na-roo
 * Jin Seon-kyu as Lee Doo-gap
 * Yoo Soon-woong as Chief Scholar
 * Park Ji-il as Deputy Chief Scholar
 * Choi Jong-ryul as Eunuch
 * Kim Joong-ki as First Secretary
 * Shin Ki-joon as Crown Prince

Release and reception
The film was released in South Korean cinemas on October 3, 2017. It topped the box office on its opening day with 444,527 viewers. According to the film's distributor CJ Entertainment, by the second day of its release, the film had accumulated more than one million admissions, the fastest film released during the Chuseok holidays to surpass the mark.

The Fortress was sold to 28 countries worldwide including U.S.A, Japan, Taiwan and Singapore. It was the opening film at the 2nd London East Asia Film Festival. In South Korea, the film attracted a total of 3.8 million moviegoers.