Mal. Mo. E – The Secret Mission

In 1940, during Japanese colonial rule, the Korean Peninsula faces linguistic oppression as the colonial government attempts to eradicate the Korean language. Ryu Jeong Hwan (Yoon Kye Sang), an erudite scholar, and Kim Pan Su (Yoo Hae Jin), an illiterate petty thief, form an unlikely alliance to create a Korean language dictionary. Their dangerous mission becomes an act of defiance and patriotism against the Japanese authorities who seek to suppress Korean culture. Despite the immense risks, the group works together to compile this crucial reference book that could help preserve national identity and pride. This inspiring story of resistance centers on their determined efforts to protect and celebrate the Korean language during a challenging historical period. "Mal-Mo-E: The Secret Mission" is a 2019 South Korean historical drama directed by Eom Yu Na.