The Guard Post

Lore & Background

The plot begins with Sergeant Major Seong-gyu Noh paying his last respects to his wife, then being ordered to investigate Guard Post 506. At the post, he finds blood-splattered rooms and a message reading 'Kill all of them.' He discovers a survivor named Yoo, but later learns the soldier is actually a medic named Kwon Jeong-min, who lied about events. Flashbacks reveal that Lieutenant Yoo killed a soldier and forced the medic to rewrite reports.

Reader's Guide

The film's significance lies in its treatment of a rabies-like virus that causes soldiers to become violent, with remission periods that make the infected appear normal but more dangerous. The story culminates in Noh deciding to kill everyone, including himself, to stop the virus, leading to a standoff and explosion that destroys GP 506. The film received nominations for editing, lighting, special effects, and acting at the 2008 Buil Film Awards, Grand Bell Awards, Blue Dragon Film Awards, and Korean Film Awards. Reviews note its well-defined plot and production values, though some found the flashback structure confusing.

Did You Know?

• The film had box-office admissions of 945,185 on 355 screens worldwide.
• The cast includes Chun Ho-jin as Sergeant Major Noh Seong-gyu and Jo Hyun-jae as 1st Lieutenant Yoo Jeong-wu / Corporal Kwon Jeong-min.
• The film was nominated for Best New Actor (Jo Hyun-jae) at the 2008 Blue Dragon Film Awards.
• A review from Twitch said the film is not as strong as Kong's first Korean horror film R-Point.