My Way - Characters & Cast

Initially, his motivation is to become an Olympic marathon runner. As he is plunged into war, his motivation shifts to pure survival and protecting his fellow Koreans. Ultimately, his deepest motivation is his profound bond with Tatsuo, compelling him to save his former enemy's life.

Jun-shik begins as a talented and hopeful Korean marathon runner living under Japanese occupation, driven by a simple dream. Despite being stripped of his dream and forced into war, he never loses his core humanity and compassion. His arc is not about changing who he is, but about maintaining his integrity against all odds. He evolves from being Tatsuo's rival to his savior and brother, ultimately sacrificing his life and identity to ensure his friend's survival.

His initial motivation is to uphold the honor of the Japanese Empire and defeat his Korean rival. This is replaced by the raw will to survive. By the end, his motivation is to honor the memory and sacrifice of Jun-shik, the man who saved him.

Tatsuo starts as a privileged, arrogant, and fierce Japanese nationalist, embodying the role of the colonizer and aggressor. His worldview is shattered by the horrors of war. As a Japanese commander, he is ruthless, but after being captured and becoming a POW himself, he experiences the same suffering he once inflicted. This humbling experience breaks down his nationalist pride, allowing him to see Jun-shik as a fellow human being. His arc is one of complete transformation, from a hateful rival to a devoted friend who honors Jun-shik's memory by taking his name and fulfilling his dream.

Her sole motivation is to avenge the death of her family by killing as many Japanese soldiers as possible.

Shirai is a Chinese sniper whose family was killed by the Japanese. She is introduced as a hardened warrior seeking revenge. Her arc is brief but impactful. After being captured, she finds common cause with the Korean conscripts who also suffer under Japanese command. She helps Jun-shik escape and dies heroically, representing the countless civilians caught in the crossfire of imperial ambitions. Her role was criticized by some as being too brief and underdeveloped.

His motivation transforms from simple friendship and survival to gaining power and inflicting revenge within the brutal POW camp system.

Jong-dae begins as Jun-shik's loyal and somewhat comical friend. After being conscripted and later captured by the Soviets, his character takes a dark turn. To survive and gain power within the POW camp, he collaborates with the Soviets, becoming a cruel taskmaster to his former Japanese captors. His arc is a tragic exploration of how war can corrupt a good person, forcing them to make inhuman choices to survive.