If you’re plugged into international cinema at all, you may have come across trailers for the recently released Korean drama Harbin. The biographical crime thriller, which was first released in theaters on Christmas, has been stunning audiences far and wide with a tale of espionage, revolution and the assassination of a brutal foreign ruler. While those with a wealth of knowledge regarding Korean history may already recognize the tale, many Americans likely aren’t aware of the thrilling true story that Harbin adapts for the big screen. Luckily, we’ve got you covered, with a brief breakdown of the film’s plot, characters and narrative, as well as a comprehensive guide to real-life events. Even if you’re not usually fond of foreign cinema, you may find that Harbin is the exception to the rule, as the film offers some incredible character work, stunning visuals and eerily prescient social and political commentary.
Breaking Down ‘Harbin’
As those who have seen the trailer are aware, Harbin centers on the true story of the assassination of Japan’s very first Prime Minister, Itō Hirobumi. As the story goes, Japan had occupied and subjugated Korea for decades during the late 1800s through to the early 1900s, resulting in a growing population of anti-imperialist revolutionaries. By 1909, a group led by An Jung-geun had taken to fighting in active war efforts with the Japanese, including several battles along the Tumen River which sought to push the invaders out of the nation entirely. The opening scene of Harbin sees Jung-geun returning from a brutal conflict on the Tumen, which results in his entire squadron being wiped out. His return demoralizes his compatriots and leads his peers to question his leadership.
In a desperate bid to regain status within his circle, and push back against the Japanese government, An Jung-geun hatches a scheme to assassinate the Japanese Prime Minister. Jung-geun manages to secure an accurate schedule for the visiting politician, which suggests that he’ll be meeting with Russian foreign ministers to discuss the future of Korea under occupied rule in the coming days, providing him with the perfect opportunity to carry out his plot. As the narrative of the film demonstrates, An Jung-geun eventually manages to catch up to Itō Hirobumi at the Harbin train station and successfully murders him in cold blood. With his mission successful, Jung-geun goes down in Korean history as a martyr and a hero, though his journey is not over. His capture and trial spark one of the most significant movements in Korean history, changing the course of his nation forever more.
The Ethics of An Jung-geun’s Mission
Though we can all surely agree that murder is objectively wrong, it’s worth examining Jung-geun’s grievances to get a full scope of the historical context of the assassination. Historical records state that the killer stuck around to accept his arrest as the Prime Minister perished and even explained to his arresting officers, “I have ventured to commit a serious crime, offering my life for my country. This is the behavior of a noble-minded patriot.” Even the Japanese officials who held Jung-geun before trial viewed him as a noble and righteous man, especially after reviewing a manifesto of sorts constructed by the Korean independence movement. Jung-geun crafted a 15-point list of reasons outlining his decision to murder Itō Hirobumi and even argued that these reasons justified the decision in a legal context.
Though the Japanese government obviously did not agree that the extrajudicial killing was ethical, the points were difficult to deny. Jung-geun’s list contained points maligning Japan’s forcible disbanding of the Korean armed forces, the massacring of innocent Koreans, the banning of books, the erasure of culture,and the obstruction of education for young citizens. The revolutionary patriot argued that these, and other decisions made by Hirobumi and his government were responsible for breaking the peace of Asia and harming Korean citizens for generations to come. Only one point on the list, the assassination of Korean Empress Myeongseong, could be fully debunked, as it was later found that Miura Gorō gave the order, not Prime Minister Hirobumi. Though some viewed Jung-geun as a hero, others saw him as nothing more than a petty criminal. The Catholic church formally excommunicated Jung-geun for his actions, though this ruling was posthumously lifted in 1993, as Korean historians continue to view him in a favorable light.
How Accurate Is ‘Harbin’ To Real Life?
Like all motion pictures, Harbin certainly takes a few creative liberties to tell a concise story and compact the true tale into a tight 113-minute film. Still, the facts and broad strokes of the historical crime film seem to be well in line with historical accounts, providing a comprehensive look into Korea’s occupation, An Jung-geun’s mission, and the fall of Japan’s first Prime Minister. The film offers an extremely thought-provoking look into war, as well as the lens with which ethics and morals are bent during times of battle. Though An Jung-geun is revered in Korean history classes to this very day, his legacy is likely not known to most American audiences. As such, Harbin does an excellent job updating the tale for a new audience of international viewers.
