The plot is based largely on a famous cartoon series by Bang
Hak-ki, featuring Choi Bae-dal (1922-1994), a real life figure who
moved to Japan during the colonial period and established himself
as a much-admired karate fighter by founding a new version of the
martial arts form called "Kyokushin Karate." In 1934, 11-year-old
Bae-dal (Yang Dong-geun) watches his father`s farmhand, Bum-soo,
fighting with Japanese officials in the market in Gimjae, Korea. He
admires Bum-soo`s fighting skills and starts to learn to
fight.
Seven years later, 18-year-old Bae-dal smuggles himself into Japan
to enroll in an aviation school but instead finds himself being
forced into the Kamikaze program. He resists and fights with the
Japanese instructor, Kato, who is a karate master and captain of
the program.
Bae-dal is shamefully defeated and earns Kato`s scorn. His pride
deeply hurt, he determines to get stronger and learn real fighting
skills. He happens to meet Bum-soo again and obtains a copy of
Musashi Miyamoto`s "Book of Five Rings," a book detailing
techniques on how to fight and survive.
The encounter with Bum-soo is a turning point for Bae-dal. He
begins to wander the streets at night, saving women and others from
bullies and robbers. A romance is inserted into the plot when
Bum-soo rescues Youko (Aya Hirayama), a beautiful geisha, from some
ill-mannered American soldiers.
However, Bae-dal can`t become complacent. His master, Bum-soo, is
brutally killed by a Japanese mob. Filled with anger and desire for
revenge, Bae-dal goes to the mountains and commits himself to
intense self-training.
Now, all the factors are in place for a series of fight scenes as
Bae-dal finishes his training and embarks on a journey to fight and
defeat top martial arts masters across Japan.
