The Nokdu Flower

As the first son of a wealthy and important government official, Baek Yi Kang (Jo Jung Suk) ought to have grown up with the world at his feet. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Being the illegitimate son of his father’s wife’s handmaid, Yi Kang spent his entire life being looked down upon by those around him, simply because his mother was part of a much lower social class. Downtrodden and practically an outcast, Yi Kang’s life has never been easy; however, the same can’t be said for his younger brother. The only legitimate son of their father, Baek Yi Hyun (Yoon Shi Yoon) has known nothing but luxury and privilege his entire life. Having received an elite education in Japan, Yi Hyun has returned to his father’s home to prepare for the national civil service exam. Despite having different mothers, Yi Hyun has always treated his older brother well, but when rumblings of a peasant uprising begin to spread, things between the brothers become rather strained. Caught between these two brothers and the growing tension between them, is Song Ja In (Yeri Han), the daughter of a well-known and respected peddlers group who dreams of becoming the best merchant in all of Joseon. With her own part to play in the impending uprising, Ja In’s involvement only serves to cause more tension between the brothers as Yi Kang sides with the lower classes while Yi Hyun sympathizes with upper classes. Can the strength of these brother’s bonds withstand the trials ahead or will their different ideologies eventually tear them apart? Inspired by the events of the Donghak Peasant Revolution, “The Nokdu Flower” is a 2019 South Korean historical drama directed by Shin Kyung Soo.