The Coast Guard (2002)

On the volatile border of South Korea, Private Kang stands vigil in Coast Guard Platoon 23. His eyes are glued to a stretch of barbed-wire lined beach, a hotspot for infiltration. In this desolate place, each soldier lords over those beneath him, turning the already tense atmosphere into a powder keg of brewing aggression. Kang, fueled by the conviction that killing a spy is the highest honor, eagerly awaits his moment of glory. One night, a patrol with his comrade, Private Kim, is interrupted by a group of jeering, inebriated youths. Among them is a young man who will soon become a haunting figure in Kang's life. Two evenings later, under the cloak of darkness, Kang spots an infiltrator in the border zone. Following orders, he opens fire, only to find he's killed the same young man from the previous encounter, who had stumbled into the zone during a drunken rendezvous with his girlfriend, Mi-yeong. Heralded as a hero yet secretly tormented by his actions, Kang spirals into a realm of bizarre behavior and unchecked violence. Mi-yeong, unhinged by her loss, spirals into vulnerability, becoming a target for the predatory soldiers. Private Kim, caught in the crossfire, battles to retain his humanity amidst the mounting chaos. He grapples with his duty and the fraying bonds of friendship, while the sickness of war engulfs them all.

The Coast Guard is a drama movie featuring Jang Dong-gun and directed by Kim Ki-duk.

The Coast Guard is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and Tubi TV.

It is also possible to buy The Coast Guard on Kino Now.