26 Years (2012)
A gripping South Korean thriller in which five strangers unite to seek justice for the victims of the 1980 Gwangju massacre.
26 Years - Movie Information
- Original Title: 26년
- Release Year: 2012
- Directed by: Cho Keun-hyun
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Thriller
- Runtime: 2h 15m
- Original Language: Korean
- Spoken Languages: Korean
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 29, 2012 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: 26년 (KR), 26 лет (RU)
- Production Companies: Chungeorahm Film, Invent Stone
- Production Countries: South Korea
26 Years - Plot
26 years ago, state troops were ordered to open fire on civilians in the city of Gwangju who were demonstrating as apart of a democratic movement. Thousands of civilians were killed. Now, a shooter from the national team, a gang member, a policeman, CEO from a large company and director of a private security outfit get involved in a plan to assassinate the former dictator responsible for the massacre.
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26 Years - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Cho Keun-hyun
Main Cast
- Jin Goo
- Han Hye-jin
- Im Seul-ong
- Bae Soo-bin
- Lee Kyung-young
- Jang Kwang
- Lee Mi-do
- Jo Deok-jae
- Kim Eui-sung
- Kim Do-yoon
Writers
- Lee Hae-young
Producers
- Choi Yong-bae
26 Years - FAQs
What is 26 Years about?
26 Years follows five people — a competitive shooter, a gang member, a police officer, a CEO, and a security director — who join forces to assassinate the former dictator behind the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, a massacre in which thousands of South Korean civilians were killed by state troops.
Is 26 Years based on a true story?
The film is inspired by real events. The 1980 Gwangju Uprising was an actual pro-democracy movement brutally suppressed by South Korean military forces under dictator Chun Doo-hwan. The assassination plot itself is fictional, adapted from Kang Full's popular webtoon of the same name.
Where can you stream 26 Years online?
You can watch 26 Years for free on Rakuten Viki, Tubi TV, Plex, OnDemandKorea, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, Amasian TV, and Plex Channel. Several of these platforms offer the film at no cost, making it easy to catch without a subscription.
Is 26 Years based on a webtoon or comic?
Yes — 26 Years is adapted from a webtoon by Korean artist Kang Full. The original webcomic was enormously popular and was partly crowdfunded by fans who wanted to see it brought to the big screen, making the film's production itself a remarkable story of grassroots support.
Who are the main actors in 26 Years?
The film features a strong ensemble cast led by Jin Goo, Han Hye-jin, Im Seul-ong, Bae Soo-bin, and Lee Kyung-young. Each actor plays one of the five conspirators united by grief and a shared desire for justice against the man responsible for the Gwangju massacre.
Does 26 Years have a satisfying ending?
The ending of 26 Years is deliberately provocative and emotionally charged rather than conventionally satisfying. Without spoiling details, the film confronts the painful reality that justice for historical atrocities is rarely clean or complete — a reflection of the real-world legacy of the Gwangju Uprising in South Korea.
Who directed 26 Years and what is the genre?
26 Years was directed by Cho Keun-hyun in his feature debut. The film blends political drama with thriller elements, building tension around a revenge assassination plot rooted in one of South Korea's most painful historical events. It runs 2 hours and 15 minutes.
What similar films would fans of 26 Years enjoy?
If 26 Years resonated with you, check out May 18 (2007), which depicts the Gwangju Uprising itself in harrowing detail, or Assassination (2015) for another Korean historical revenge thriller. V for Vendetta (2006) and Steel Rain (2017) are also strong picks for fans of politically charged action dramas.
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