South Korean superstar Lee Byung-hun (No Other Choice, G.I. Joe, I Saw the Devil), who has a background in Taekwondo, is venturing back to action for a martial arts film tentatively titled Nambeol (translates to “Northern Expedition” or “Northern Conquest”).
The project, which marks the directorial debut of veteran cinematographer Lee Mo-gae (Exhuma), is described as a “hard-boiled martial arts action flick set in the early Joseon Dynasty”. The story revolves around nine warriors who travel to Tsushima Island to rescue Korean captives kidnapped by Japanese pirates (via Deadline).
🔥 Footnote: This may be Lee Mo-gae’s directorial debut, but after helping craft the striking visuals for films like 2003’s A Tale of Two Sisters, 2008’s The Good, the Bad, the Weird and 2010’s I Saw the Devil alongside director Kim Jee-woon, he is someone who has worked with some of the best in the industry. It’s safe to assume he has picked up some great habits along the way.
Hive Media Corp’s Nambeol is currently in pre-production and is expected to begin filming in the second half of 2026. For now, here’s a look at the damage Lee Byung-hun is capable of in I Saw the Devil:
