Yoon's controversial exposé of psychological and physical violence within the ranks stimulated a national dialogue on the subject.

[2][3] Lee Seung-young is a new recruit in the South Korean military who serves under commanding officer Sergeant Yoo Tae-jeong, an old school friend.

Matters come to a head when he is given command of Heo Ji-hoon, a slovenly newcomer whose constant incompetence tests Lee's patience, and eventually forces him to act.

Unfortunately, director Yoon found himself the object of litigation by the Defense Department, when the film turned out to be a far cry from the heartwarming "story of friendship inside the barracks" the Defense Department had apparently read in screenplay form, before they granted Yoon permission to shoot his film inside the authentic living quarters.

[6] Not only does the film deal with the difficult and formerly taboo subject of mandatory military service in South Korea, but it does so with an admirable level of thoughtfulness and honesty.