Does Cheon Yeong save Jong-Ryeo?

The South Korean historical drama ‘Uprising’ centers on Cheon Yeong, a young boy who is enslaved and must endure the punishments of the son of a noble family. Every time the boy, Jong-Ryeo, fails in martial training, Cheon Yeong is beaten in his place. The disparity in their social status causes them to face various problems, even though Cheon Yeong is a much better swordsman than Jong-Ryeo. Tired of being beaten up, he trains Jong-Ryeo in the ways of the katana, which eventually turns into a deep friendship. However, when war comes to the shores of Korea, the two brothers, divided by blood, find themselves on different sides of the battlefield.

Ultimately, Cheon Yeong and Jong-Ryeo’s decade-long friendship reaches a breaking point as the pair begin circling each other’s throats, unaware that they are cut from a similar cloth. As misunderstandings drive them further apart, new opposition emerges in the form of a disgraced Japanese general who seeks to earn his freedom by hunting down Cheon Yeong. However, it all comes to a head in an epic confrontation on the beach, with three heroes at each other’s throats, united by their resilience and determination, but separated by their loyalty to their factions. Unfortunately, not all of them make it out alive! SPOILERS AHEAD.

Rebellion Plot Synopsis

Cheon Yeong, a young boy without a mother, is taken away from a normal life and forced to live as a slave under the rule of a military family in Joseon. Although rebellious in spirit, he is subjected to several blows due to the failures of Jong-Ryeo, the family’s young heir. Day after day he is humiliated under the thumbs of the upper class, just like the other slaves in the estate. Tired of the constant torture, he decides to train Jong-Ryeo in sword fighting so that the master will no longer defeat him. They train at night, which leads to a friendship between the two kindred spirits. Eventually they grow up, and Cheon Yeong disguises himself as Jong-Ryeo to pass a crucial martial exam, which the latter had continually failed. In return, Cheon Yeong hopes that his master will grant him freedom.

When absolution is not granted, Jong-Ryeo gifts Cheon Yeong with his prized katana and helps him escape. Before the main character leaves, he asks Jong-Ryeo if they are still friends, to which the former responds with an emotional nod. Years later, he is captured and taken back to the estate, where he threatens to kill Jong-Ryeo’s family in public, putting Jong-Ryeo in a difficult position. He punishes him by cutting the back of his hand. It is also revealed that Cheon Yeong previously tried to run away from the estate many times but was then brought back. But because the Japanese army has just invaded Korea, Jong-Ryeo is called upon to serve alongside King Seonjo. As he leaves, a lower class uprising breaks out on the estate, leading to the death of Jong-Ryeo’s family.

Cheon Yeong tries to save his friend’s wife, but she is too prejudiced to accept help from lower class members. She would rather die with her son than seek his help. When the news reaches Jong-Ryeo, he thinks Cheon Yeong is the one who killed his entire family. The two thus become sworn enemies. The main character helps drive out the Japanese forces in the following years, crossing swords with a powerful general, Genshin. When the war ends, he becomes embroiled in a struggle to achieve equality among Korean citizens. Meanwhile, the king recruits the same Japanese general to capture Cheon Yeong, a plan spearheaded by Jong-Ryeo. After Cheon Yeong loses most of his comrades due to an ambush by Jong-Ryeo, he follows him to a beach where the final showdown takes place.

End of the Rebellion: What Happens in the Battle on the Beach?

During the beach scene, a three-way sword fight breaks out between Cheon Yeong, Jong-Ryeo and Genshin. Although Jong-Ryeo and Genshin work together to capture the former, their loyalties are divided after Jong-Ryeo tries to double-cross the Japanese general by shooting his men with loaded muskets. The two then engage in a fierce sword fight as their men destroy each other. Meanwhile, an enraged Cheon Yeong descends on the battlefield, aiming to kill them both. Jong-Ryeo and Genshin face off together as the intensity of the fight increases even further. A fog suddenly blocks the view of the beach, forcing the fight to be halted. Instead, Cheon Yeong takes on Jong-Ryeo in a personal display of aggression.

During the fight, the old friends finally address the elephant in the room by discussing Cheon Yeong’s alleged culpability in wiping out Jong-Ryeo’s entire family. At this point, the protagonist realizes that Jong-Ryeo has the wrong impression, which has caused a rift between them. He reveals amid the sword blows that he tried to save Jong-Ryeo’s wife, but she refused to be helped. The revelation causes quite a shock for Jong-Ryeo, who also realizes the unnecessary anger he has directed at Cheon Yeong in recent years. The tide of battle suddenly changes as the two turn their attacks on Genshin. However, the skilled Japanese swordsman ambushes Cheon Yeong from behind, leaving Jong-Ryeo open for an attack.

Does Jong-Ryeo die? What are his last words?

The emotional heartbeat of “Uprising” revolves around the brotherhood and friendship between Cheon Yeong and Jong-Ryeo. Their unlikely bond challenges the societal norms of the time, especially regarding how people perceive members of the lower class. Viewers also get a glimpse into how friendship slowly turns into enmity and animosity, as both characters’ personal struggles and journeys lead them to opposite sides. Yet their shared childhood remains intact in their memories, as the final moments prove. After Genshin rushes in to fight Jong-Ryeo, a wounded Cheon Yeong watches as the ruthless Japanese general kills his friend. He holds Jong-Ryeo’s body as his friend says his last words and asks the same question Cheon Yeong asked him earlier: if they are still friends.

The pain of losing Jong-Ryeo hits Cheon Yeong deep in his heart, especially after closing the gap with him. He uses it as anger as he advances on Genshin. Determined to mete out retribution for the death of this friend, the protagonist fights the Japanese general with renewed faith and strength in his blows. It ultimately proves to be too much for Genshin, whose arms are cut off by Cheon Yeong. He is killed after a sword is shoved through his throat, completing the prophecy given to him by a mystical Korean woman earlier in the film. While Jong-Ryeo’s death creates a hole in Cheon Yeong’s soul, the protagonist finds some solace after killing the one responsible for his death.

What is Cheon Yeong’s plan to unify Korea?

Throughout the story, a deeper theme surrounding slavery emerges. Since ‘Uprising’ is set in the medieval era, many evil practices in Korean society, especially the subjugation of people, are constantly brought to the fore. To this end, Cheon Yeong’s struggles are the shining beacon. Viewers get an unfiltered glimpse into the cruelties and abuse of his childhood that determine who he will become in the future. It also helps everyone realize his desire for freedom, something that was hidden from him for years until he found his own community to help him through those feelings. Even after helping fight the Japanese army, he and his men are touted for committing treason, causing even more alienation in his mind.

Regardless, Cheon Yeong remains steadfast in his belief that true unity is possible, especially because of his relationship with Jong-Ryeo. His friend treated him like an equal despite being in a much higher position, proving that equality is possible, but only if Cheon Yeong keeps fighting for it. Thus, at the end of the film, the protagonist embraces a new community of like-minded people who are willing to take on the king if necessary in their fight for freedom. Cheon Yeong even creates their vision “Pan-Unity” in honor of Beom-dong, a female fighter within the group. This means his story is far from over, as true equality and freedom are far from achieved, and judging by the twin katanas on his back, he’s ready for more action.

Furthermore, one of the biggest unresolved plot elements in the story is King Seonjo’s iron grip on Joseon. The ruthless king shows no signs of benevolence and is a tyrant among his people. If Cheon Yeong wants to continue the fight, his path will undoubtedly lead him over the king at some point. Without getting rid of the hydra’s head, the institutions will continue to propagate social evil, which is what the main character has to deal with.

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