Netflix Begins Production on The Generals, Yoon Jong-bin’s Political Drama Starring Son Suk-ku and Ha Jung-woo as Roh Tae-woo and Chun Doo-hwan

When Netflix announced that Son Suk-ku and Ha Jung-woo would star in Yoon Jong-bin’s upcoming political drama “The Generals” (WT), the news rippled through global film circles as a reunion of creative forces behind acclaimed works like “The Spy Gone North” and “Narco-Saints.” For viewers in Chicago, this announcement carries a distinct resonance—not because the story is set along the shores of Lake Michigan, but because the city’s own complex relationship with political power, historical legacy and urban governance offers a surprisingly fertile lens through which to examine the themes Yoon explores. Chicagoans recognize well how second-in-command figures operate in the shadows of mayoral administrations, how machine politics shape decades of policy, and how the pursuit of influence often unfolds in backrooms far from public scrutiny. “The Generals,” which traces Roh Tae-woo’s quiet ascent beside the authoritarian Chun Doo-hwan, invites parallels to how power consolidates not always through overt dictatorship, but through the calculated maneuvering of those positioned just off-center stage.

Yoon Jong-bin’s filmography consistently dissects the mechanics of survival within rigid hierarchies—from the gangland politics of Busan in “Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time” to the espionage tensions of inter-Korean relations in “The Spy Gone North.” His move to chronicling Roh Tae-woo’s story continues this preoccupation with individuals who navigate systems not by overthrowing them, but by mastering their internal logic. Roh, portrayed by Son Suk-ku, is depicted as a lifelong lieutenant who presents himself as an “ordinary person” while orchestrating moves behind the scenes—a dynamic that mirrors historical patterns in many major American cities where unelected advisors, long-serving chiefs of staff, or influential ward bosses have shaped outcomes without ever holding the top office. In Chicago, this dynamic is etched into the city’s political DNA, from the era of Daley-era machine politics to modern debates about influence in city council chambers and county boardrooms.

The film’s focus on the “dark underbelly of power” and the “paradoxes of modern Korean history” finds unexpected echoes in Chicago’s own reckoning with its past. Just as Yoon examines how figures like Roh Tae-woo navigated the transition from authoritarian rule to democratic façade, Chicago continues to grapple with layers of its own history—from the legacy of redlining and discriminatory housing policies enforced through bureaucratic channels, to ongoing conversations about police accountability and municipal transparency. Ha Jung-woo’s portrayal of Chun Doo-hwan, the dictator wielding “absolute power and authority,” serves as a stark reminder of how centralized control can distort institutions—a theme that resonates when Chicagoans reflect on periods of consolidated mayoral authority or when state-level interventions have overridden local governance.

Beyond its historical specificity, “The Generals” speaks to a universal anxiety about ambition and ethical compromise in high-stakes environments. Yoon’s reputation for “evoking the distinct atmosphere of an era” and “dissecting the psychological depths of his characters” suggests the film will do more than recreate events—it will immerse viewers in the moral calculus of those who enable systems they may privately question. This psychological dimension is particularly relevant in professional hubs like Chicago’s Loop, where lawyers, financiers, and public administrators daily navigate ethical gray areas within powerful institutions. The film’s exploration of how allies, rivals, and functionaries pursue their own agendas within a “dense network of relationships” mirrors the intricate stakeholder maps that define decision-making in major metropolitan governance, whether in Seoul’s political corridors or Chicago’s City Hall.

Given my background in analyzing how global cultural trends intersect with local civic life, if this film sparks conversations in Chicago about power dynamics, historical accountability, or ethical leadership, here are the three types of local professionals you’d wish to consult:

• Urban History Researchers and Public History Consultants: Look for professionals affiliated with institutions like the Chicago History Museum, the University of Chicago’s Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture, or independent scholars who specialize in 20th-century municipal governance. They should demonstrate archival expertise in municipal records, mayoral papers, and community oral histories, with a track record of contextualizing historical power structures for public audiences—not just recounting events, but explaining how systems of influence persist across generations.
• Civic Ethics Advisors and Government Accountability Analysts: Seek out experts from organizations such as the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, the Better Government Association, or university-based ethics centers (like those at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law or UIC’s Great Cities Institute). Key criteria include experience advising on municipal ethics ordinances, familiarity with Illinois’ Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act processes, and a focus on practical frameworks for evaluating conflicts of interest—not just theoretical ethics, but actionable guidance for public servants and engaged citizens navigating real-world dilemmas.
• Comparative Politics and Policy Transition Specialists: Prioritize analysts associated with think tanks like the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the Manhattan Institute’s local policy arm, or academic departments studying democratic transitions. They should offer nuanced comparisons between different models of power transfer—authoritarian to democratic, machine politics to reform eras—while avoiding reductive equivalences. The best professionals in this space highlight both parallels and critical differences in institutional design, civic culture, and the role of intermediary figures, helping communities learn from history without oversimplifying its lessons.

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