It is a martial arts film set during the Japanese colonial rule of Korea.

The film is set in the early 20th century, during the Japanese colonial rule of Korea.

[1] Pyongyang Nalpharam was released in August 2006,[2] and received a reported 6 million admissions at the North Korean box office.

[2][3] Derek Elley of Variety described Pyongyang Nalpharam as "a routine period actioner... with flashes of interest for Asiaphile auds", reminiscent of 1970s Hong Kong "chopsocky" films.

He regarded the action choreography as "adequate", and considered only a single sequence during a "masked entertainment" to have any "real verve".