Jiseul

A historical account examines the 1948 massacre of Jeju Islanders, during which tens of thousands were killed following the rise of Syngman Rhee's authoritarian rule, backed by American occupation forces. The narrative is rooted in the real-life experience of 120 villagers who sought refuge in caves in Seogwipo after being falsely labeled as rioters by the occupying authorities and targeted for execution. The American forces had declared all residents within five kilometers of the coastline as threats. In the Jeju dialect, the term "Jiseul" refers to a potato, representing the islanders' hope for survival.