Climax

Won Rok grows up as Korea goes under Japanese rule. While his mother discourages him from getting involved in independence protests like his brothers, he goes to Japan, only to be filled with anger as he witnesses the murders of fellow Joseon people. He returns to Korea and joins the Heroic Corps. The group attempts a bomb attack and ultimately results in Won Rok getting sent to prison, where he takes on the name Yuk Sa. After his release, he trains with a group of militia soldiers hoping to make another attack.

While continuing to fight for independence, Yuk Sa writes poems such as “Blue Grapes” and “Twilight” to raise the spirit of resistance against Japanese colonialism. His attempts at making attacks continue to fail, and he’s continually sent to prison, subjected to torture. Meanwhile, his wife shows disdain at his seeming disinterest when their child passes away from illness. Yuk Sa continues to fight for independence, until he passes away in a prison in Manchuria.