My Way (2012 film)

My Way is a 2012 South Korean war film directed by Kang Je-kyu. The film stars Jang Dong-gun, Joe Odagiri, and Fan Bingbing.

The film is loosely based on the true story of a Korean man, Yang Kyoungjong, who was conscripted into the Japanese, Soviet, and German armies during World War II. However, the film significantly fictionalizes the events and adds dramatic elements.

The plot revolves around two marathon runners, Kim Jun-shik (Jang Dong-gun), a Korean, and Tatsuo Hasegawa (Joe Odagiri), a Japanese man. They are initially rivals but are forced to fight alongside each other in the Japanese army during the Nomonhan Incident in 1939. Following the Soviet victory, they are captured and forced into the Soviet army. Eventually, they are captured again by the Germans and find themselves fighting on the Eastern Front. Kim Jun-shik's motivation throughout the ordeal is to return home to his family.

The film is known for its large-scale battle scenes and high production value. It was released in South Korea on December 21, 2011, and in the United States on April 20, 2012. While commercially successful in South Korea, it received mixed reviews, with critics praising the visuals but criticizing the plot and historical inaccuracies. The film also faced some controversy due to its portrayal of the historical events and characters.