Heartbreaking yet enthralling film. My only complaint, and this is more a general gripe about Korean films, is that it's a bit too long. I'm not sure I've seen a Korean film under 2 hours.
Anyway right at the end, when you've been moved by the events but maybe forgotten this is based on a true story, come two scenes that drag you back to reality. Manipulative maybe, but it worked for me.
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I'm OK with 'based on true events' films, but when, as here, you're reminded so vividly that what you've been watching is achingly true, I can't shut it out anymore.
At least with a documentary you know all along you're watching a true story. This told you upfront it was true but, having seen so many similar films, you soon forget that. Until the end maybe, when you're told as an add-on what happened to the various characters.
The end of this film is a different thing altogether, and I for one will never forget it, manipulative or not.