Here, at least 3 of the top Korean actors (it's safe to say "top 10", yet even "top 5" is not exaggerating) in 21st century on leading roles, THE AGE OF SHADOWS (2016) is very appealing in terms of "star power." Regrettably, perhaps most of its budget went to the cast and what was left for hiring decent screenwriter(s) was tiny.
The plot is so cliché that one may mistake TAOS as a propaganda from the cold war era. The part of the story which occurred in Shanghai seems a bit LUST, CAUTION (2007). As a whole, TAOS may serve the purpose of instigating patriotism among high school students in its home country. For general audience, specially those who not eager to learn, or to be misled, about the history of the Japanese occupation of Korean Peninsula, there is hardly reason for viewing. Unless, of course, you are a fan of Song Kang-ho, Lee Byung-hun or Gong Yoo.
The plot is so cliché that one may mistake TAOS as a propaganda from the cold war era. The part of the story which occurred in Shanghai seems a bit LUST, CAUTION (2007). As a whole, TAOS may serve the purpose of instigating patriotism among high school students in its home country. For general audience, specially those who not eager to learn, or to be misled, about the history of the Japanese occupation of Korean Peninsula, there is hardly reason for viewing. Unless, of course, you are a fan of Song Kang-ho, Lee Byung-hun or Gong Yoo.