Serve the People

The film’s title holds profound symbolic meaning. As explained by the director,

the sign represents the ultimate duty of a soldier: to serve the people. The accompanying imagery – an ear of barley symbolizing a bountiful harvest and a red star representing a brilliant future – embodies the promise of a prosperous nation.

For the division commander, this sign is a sacred oath, a symbol of unwavering loyalty. He imparts this reverence to Mu-gwang, the first soldier to receive the sign, emphasizing its profound significance.

However, Su-ryun, a cunning manipulator, exploits the sign’s symbolic power. She twists its meaning, using it to sow discord and exploit the divisions within the community. The language of revolution, originally intended to inspire unity and service, is subverted, becoming a tool for personal ambition and the pursuit of power.

Ultimately, the sign, once a symbol of duty and hope, is transformed into a medium for manipulation and desire, reflecting the film’s exploration of power dynamics and the corruption of ideals.