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trope cut per TRS


* MartialArtsUniform: Choi wears one for most of the second two-thirds of the movie - it is his only clothing while training in the mountains.
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Peek A Bangs has been disambiguated


* PeekABangs: Ryoma. For most of the film, it conceals the fact that he's actually blind in one eye.
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Only one trope per bullet point.


* AsskickingEqualsAuthority[=/=]AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Justified in that the masters are universally better fighters than their students. However, the fact that [[BigBad General Kato]] and his [[TheDragon lieutenant Ryoma]] are the only people on Bae-dal's level is a straighter example.

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* AsskickingEqualsAuthority[=/=]AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Justified in that the masters are universally better fighters than their students. However, the fact that [[BigBad General Kato]] and his [[TheDragon lieutenant Ryoma]] are the only people on Bae-dal's level is a straighter example.

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* RealityEnsues: You want to have a badass martial arts duel to the death? Expect to be arrested, and to have to deal with the fact you just created a widow and an orphan.


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* SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome / WhatMeasureIsAMook: You want to have a badass martial arts duel to the death? Expect to be arrested, and to have to deal with the fact you just created a widow and an orphan.

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* AdaptationInducedPlotHole: In the film, Choi is a furious Korean patriot, which feels strange considering he adopts a Japanese name and never asks to be called otherwise. In both the manga and real life, Oyama was a Japanese citizen all his life and never preached for any ancestry of his.



** The historical Masutatsu Oyama was born Choi Yeong-eui, not Choi Bao-dal. The latter is somewhat of a popular belief because "Oyama Masutatsu" is a character transliteration of "Baodal", a name for the ancient Korean Joseon kingdom which Oyama chose deliberately.
** In real life, kamikaze missions weren't entrusted to Korean-born pilots. Choi and his pals would have never been punished for refusing, as they would have never been ordered to perform it (nor allowed if they had ever asked to). However, the real Oyama did have Japanese friends who died in kamikaze units, which he recounted as the reason why he often sought to brawl with U.S. soldiers post war.

to:

** The historical Masutatsu Oyama was born Choi Yeong-eui, not Choi Bao-dal. The latter is somewhat of a popular belief because "Oyama Masutatsu" is a character transliteration of "Baodal", a "Baodal" (a name for the ancient Korean Joseon kingdom which kingdom) that Oyama chose deliberately.
** In real life, kamikaze missions weren't entrusted to Korean-born pilots. Choi and his pals would have never been punished for refusing, as they would have never been ordered to perform it in the first place (nor allowed if they had ever asked to). However, the real Oyama did have Japanese friends who died in kamikaze units, which he recounted as the reason why he often sought to brawl with U.S. soldiers post war.



** The real Choi never showed any signs of overt Korean patriotism, and actually spent the rest of his life as a Japanese citizen under the name of Oyama, just like he does in the manga. This is a sort of AdaptationInducedPlotHole in the movie, as it feels strange that a furiously Korean man like him adopted a Japanese identity so easily.

to:

** The real Choi never showed any signs of overt Korean patriotism, and actually spent the rest of his life as a Japanese citizen citizen, which is why he went under the name of Oyama, just like he does Oyama. (This particular license wasn't even in the manga. This is a sort of AdaptationInducedPlotHole manga in which the movie, as it feels strange that a furiously Korean man like him adopted a Japanese identity so easily.film is based.)



** Most of Oyama's biography from this film is fictitious anyways, but it is notable that he is portrayed here as a practitioner of Korean martial arts (hinted but not stated to be taekkyeon), which the real Oyama was not. He first trained in kung fu, later trained formally in two styles of karate, and ultimately also gained a UsefulNotes/{{Judo}} black belt (though contemporaries of his like Jon Bluming have disputed the latter).
** While it can admittedly be hard to tell apart between karate styles in all-out brawls, Choi's style in the film does not resemble Kyokushin, not even his kata, which are usually very distinctive to each school.
** The film follows a popular impression that karate was the default martial art of the Empire of Japan, as Kato boasts of it against the foreign fighters in the prisoner camp, and later he and the JKA become very patriotically motivated against Choi because his Korean style. In reality, karate could hardly be considered Japanese for most of its history, as it came from the Ryukyu islands instead of mainland Japan and had strong Chinese influences. The most patriotic Japanese martial at the time of the movie would have been UsefulNotes/{{Judo}}, or at least some other jujutsu school.

to:

** Most of Oyama's biography from in this film is fictitious anyways, but it is notable that he is portrayed here as a practitioner of Korean martial arts (hinted but not stated to be taekkyeon), which the real Oyama was not. He The latter first trained in kung fu, later trained formally in two styles of karate, and ultimately also gained a UsefulNotes/{{Judo}} black belt too (though contemporaries of his like Jon Bluming have disputed the latter).
this last point).
** While it can admittedly be hard to tell apart between karate styles in all-out brawls, Choi's style in the film does not resemble Kyokushin, not even his its kata, which are usually very distinctive to each school.
** The film follows a popular impression that karate was the default martial art of the Empire of Japan, as Japan. Kato boasts of it against claims so in front the foreign fighters in the prisoner camp, and later he and the JKA become very patriotically motivated against Choi because his Korean style. In reality, karate could hardly be was not considered a Japanese art for most of its history, as it came from the Ryukyu islands instead of mainland Japan and had strong Chinese influences. The most patriotic "patriotic" Japanese martial at the time of the movie would have been UsefulNotes/{{Judo}}, UsefulNotes/{{Judo}} or at least some other jujutsu school.
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The 2004 film adaptation of ''Karate Baka Ichidai'', a manga by Ikki Kajiwara of ''Manga/TigerMask'' loosely about the man who would become the legendary UsefulNotes/{{Karate}} master Masutatsu Oyama.

to:

The 2004 film adaptation of ''Karate Baka Ichidai'', a manga by Ikki Kajiwara Creator/IkkiKajiwara of ''Manga/TigerMask'' loosely about the man who would become the legendary UsefulNotes/{{Karate}} master Masutatsu Oyama.
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* YamatoNadeshiko: Youko, Bae-dal's lover, is a maiko (geisha-in-training), wears kimono in all her appearances, and lives a relatively traditional lifestyle. In fact, she is shown to wear Western clothing only once in the entire film.

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* YamatoNadeshiko: Youko, Bae-dal's lover, is a maiko (geisha-in-training), wears kimono in all her appearances, and lives a relatively traditional lifestyle. In fact, she is shown to wear Western clothing only once in the entire film.film.
----
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** Most of Oyama's biography from this film is fictitious anyways, but it is notable that he is portrayed here as a practitioner of Korean martial arts (hinted but not stated to be taekkyeon), which the real Oyama was not. He first trained in kung fu, later trained formally in two styles of karate, and ultimately also gained a UsefulNotes/{{Judo}} black belt.
** While it can admittedly be hard to tell apart between karate styles in all-out brawls, Choi's style does not resemble Kyokushin. Even his kata, which are usually very distinctive to each school, are very generic ones.
** The film follows a popular impression that karate was the default martial art of the Empire of Japan, as Kato boasts of it against the foreign fighters in the prisoner camp, and later he and the JKA become very patriotically motivated against Choi because his Korean style. In reality, karate could hardly be considered Japanese for most of its story, as it came from the Ryukyu islands instead of mainland Japan and had strong Chinese influences on its origin. A patriotic Japanese martial at the time of the movie would have been either UsefulNotes/{{Judo}} or any traditional jujutsu school.
* AsskickingPose: Averted. Choi's favoured stance is a simple boxing-like guard. The few opponents stupid enough to try elaborate stances get unpleasant things done to them. Then subverted; at the end Choi and Kato are so evenly matched that they take a moment's time out to limber up and get into their preferred stances again.

to:

** Most of Oyama's biography from this film is fictitious anyways, but it is notable that he is portrayed here as a practitioner of Korean martial arts (hinted but not stated to be taekkyeon), which the real Oyama was not. He first trained in kung fu, later trained formally in two styles of karate, and ultimately also gained a UsefulNotes/{{Judo}} black belt.
belt (though contemporaries of his like Jon Bluming have disputed the latter).
** While it can admittedly be hard to tell apart between karate styles in all-out brawls, Choi's style in the film does not resemble Kyokushin. Even Kyokushin, not even his kata, which are usually very distinctive to each school, are very generic ones.
school.
** The film follows a popular impression that karate was the default martial art of the Empire of Japan, as Kato boasts of it against the foreign fighters in the prisoner camp, and later he and the JKA become very patriotically motivated against Choi because his Korean style. In reality, karate could hardly be considered Japanese for most of its story, history, as it came from the Ryukyu islands instead of mainland Japan and had strong Chinese influences on its origin. A influences. The most patriotic Japanese martial at the time of the movie would have been either UsefulNotes/{{Judo}} UsefulNotes/{{Judo}}, or any traditional at least some other jujutsu school.
* AsskickingPose: Averted. Averted, as Choi's favoured stance is a simple boxing-like guard. The few opponents stupid enough to try elaborate stances get unpleasant things done to them. Then subverted; at the end Choi and Kato are so evenly matched that they take a moment's time out to limber up and get into their preferred stances again.

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ZCE cleanup, indentation cleanup


* BadassLongcoat: Bum-soo; later, Ryoma.

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%% * AutobotsRockOut: Don't stand in front of Choi's fists when the guitar starts.
%%
* BadassLongcoat: Bum-soo; later, Ryoma.



* MadeOfPlasticine: Unnamed characters who make the mistake of fighting Choi.

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%% * MadeOfPlasticine: Unnamed characters who make the mistake of fighting Choi.



* ThemeMusicPowerUp[=/=]AutobotsRockOut: Don't stand in front of Choi's fists when the guitar starts.
* TookALevelInBadass: Choi takes a colossal one during the mountain training.

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%% * ThemeMusicPowerUp[=/=]AutobotsRockOut: ThemeMusicPowerUp: Don't stand in front of Choi's fists when the guitar starts.
%% * TookALevelInBadass: Choi takes a colossal one during the mountain training.



* TrainingMontage: A classic straight example.

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%% * TrainingMontage: A classic straight example.



* WorthyOpponent: Choi's true victory is when Kato finally recognises him as this.
* {{Yakuza}}: Provide the main motivation for Choi's [[TookALevelInBadass level-up]] when they murder Bum-soo.

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* WorthyOpponent: Choi's true victory is when Kato finally recognises recognizes him as this.
%% * {{Yakuza}}: Provide the main motivation for Choi's [[TookALevelInBadass level-up]] when they murder Bum-soo.

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A young Korean boxer, Choi Bae-dal, is tricked by Japanese propaganda into applying to join the Japanese air force. Upon getting to Japan, he finds that, as a Korean, he will be treated as a prisoner and forced to fly a kamikaze mission - unless he can win his freedom in hand-to-hand combat against the Japanese General Kato. He loses, but to the Japanese soldiers' surprise, actually manages to make the general bleed.

to:

A young Korean boxer, martial artist, Choi Bae-dal, is tricked by Japanese propaganda into applying to join the Japanese air force. Upon getting to Japan, he finds that, as a Korean, he will be treated as a prisoner and forced to fly a kamikaze mission - unless he can win his freedom in hand-to-hand combat against the Japanese General Kato. He loses, but to the Japanese soldiers' surprise, actually manages to make the general bleed.



* AdaptationNameChange: In the original manga, Oyama is not called by any other name than his Japanese pseudonym. Here he is referred as Choi Bao-dal as his supposedly birth name.
* AdaptedOut: Many of Oyama's friends and rivals from the manga, which included real life people like Wrestling/{{Rikidozan}}, Wrestling/MasahikoKimura, Jack Dempsey and Great Togo, are all absent from the medium.

to:

* AdaptationNameChange: In the original manga, Oyama is not called by any other name than his Japanese pseudonym. Here he is referred as Choi Bao-dal as his supposedly supposed birth name.
* AdaptedOut: Many of Oyama's friends and rivals from the manga, which included real life people like Wrestling/{{Rikidozan}}, Wrestling/MasahikoKimura, Jack Dempsey and Great Togo, are all absent from the medium.movie.



** In real life, kamikaze missions weren't entrusted to Korean-born pilots. Choi and his pals would have never been punished for refusing, as they would have never been ordered to perform it, nor even allowed if they would asked to. However, the real Oyama did have Japanese friends who died in kamikaze units, which he recounted as the reason why he often sought to brawl with U.S. soldiers post war.

to:

** In real life, kamikaze missions weren't entrusted to Korean-born pilots. Choi and his pals would have never been punished for refusing, as they would have never been ordered to perform it, nor even it (nor allowed if they would had ever asked to.to). However, the real Oyama did have Japanese friends who died in kamikaze units, which he recounted as the reason why he often sought to brawl with U.S. soldiers post war.



** Most of Oyama's biography from this film is fictitious anyways, but it is notable that he is portrayed as a boxer (hinted but not stated to be a taekkyeon practitioner too) who later basically creates his own style. In real life, Oyama first trained in kung fu, later trained formally in ''two'' styles of karate, and posteriorly also gained a UsefulNotes/{{Judo}} black belt.



** While it can admittedly be hard to tell apart between karate styles in all-out brawls, Choi does no movement that reminds of Kyokushin in the entire film, not even katas, which are usually very distinctive.
** The film follows a popular impression that karate was the default martial art of the Empire of Japan, as Kato boasts of it against the foreign fighters in the prisoner camp, and later he and the JKA become very patriotically motivated against Choi because his Korean nationality style. In reality, karate could hardly be considered Japanese for most of its story, as it came from the Ryukyu islands instead of mainland Japan and had strong Chinese influences. The most patriotic Japanese martial at the time of the movie would have been judo, or at least any other traditional jujutsu school.
* AsskickingPose: Averted. Choi's favoured stance is a simple boxing guard. The few opponents stupid enough to try elaborate stances get unpleasant things done to them. Then subverted; at the end Choi and Kato are so evenly matched that they take a moment's time out to limber up and get into their preferred stances again.

to:

** Most of Oyama's biography from this film is fictitious anyways, but it is notable that he is portrayed here as a practitioner of Korean martial arts (hinted but not stated to be taekkyeon), which the real Oyama was not. He first trained in kung fu, later trained formally in two styles of karate, and ultimately also gained a UsefulNotes/{{Judo}} black belt.
** While it can admittedly be hard to tell apart between karate styles in all-out brawls, Choi Choi's style does no movement that reminds of Kyokushin in the entire film, not even katas, resemble Kyokushin. Even his kata, which are usually very distinctive.
distinctive to each school, are very generic ones.
** The film follows a popular impression that karate was the default martial art of the Empire of Japan, as Kato boasts of it against the foreign fighters in the prisoner camp, and later he and the JKA become very patriotically motivated against Choi because his Korean nationality style. In reality, karate could hardly be considered Japanese for most of its story, as it came from the Ryukyu islands instead of mainland Japan and had strong Chinese influences. The most influences on its origin. A patriotic Japanese martial at the time of the movie would have been judo, either UsefulNotes/{{Judo}} or at least any other traditional jujutsu school.
* AsskickingPose: Averted. Choi's favoured stance is a simple boxing boxing-like guard. The few opponents stupid enough to try elaborate stances get unpleasant things done to them. Then subverted; at the end Choi and Kato are so evenly matched that they take a moment's time out to limber up and get into their preferred stances again.



* CharlesAtlasSuperpower: Choi develops improbably powerful fighting technique, strength, and resilience from his mountain training, including the ability to smash rocks and break limbs with a single punch. Surprisingly, this is [[RealityIsUnrealistic one of the few things the film gets more or less right]] - Oyama really was that good at breaking things (or so says the legend).

to:

* CharlesAtlasSuperpower: Choi develops improbably powerful fighting technique, strength, and resilience from his mountain training, including the ability to smash rocks and break limbs with a single punch. Surprisingly, this is [[RealityIsUnrealistic one of the few things the film gets more or less right]] - right]], as Oyama really was that good at breaking things (or so says the legend).



* HeroicBSOD: Happens to Oyama no less than three times: after Bum-soo's death, once [[DespairEventHorizon through despair]] in the mountains, and once when he realises that violence has horrible consequences.

to:

* HeroicBSOD: Happens to Oyama no less than three ''three'' times: after Bum-soo's death, once [[DespairEventHorizon through despair]] in the mountains, and once when he realises has just killed Ryoma realized that violence has horrible consequences.

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In post-war Japan, Bae-dal finds work, but has violent clashes with the local {{Yakuza}} branch. He ends up becoming a rickshaw driver by day and a violent vigilante at night, defending Japanese women and Korean countrymen from American soldiers who harm the locals. Unfortunately, the Yakuza aren't willing to let the Koreans live peacefully, and they kill Bae-dal's mentor. After this, Bae-dal resolves to train himself to become the most invincible martial artist in Japan, and retreats to the mountains for a TrainingFromHell. The man who descends is a new Bae-dal, now calling himself Masutatsu Oyama, who starts entering every martial arts school he finds to defeat the maters and any student willing to face him. However, after the his old enemy Kato, now head of the Japan Karate Association, hears about his feats, Bae-dal will have to understand the quest of his life is not over yet.

to:

In post-war Japan, Bae-dal finds work, but has violent clashes with the local {{Yakuza}} branch. He ends up becoming a rickshaw driver by day and a violent vigilante at night, defending Japanese women and Korean countrymen from American soldiers who harm the locals. Unfortunately, the Yakuza aren't willing to let the Koreans live peacefully, and they kill Bae-dal's mentor. After this, Bae-dal resolves to train himself to become the most invincible martial artist in Japan, and retreats to the mountains for a TrainingFromHell. The man who descends is a new Bae-dal, now calling himself Masutatsu Oyama, who starts entering every martial arts school he finds to defeat the maters and any student willing to face him. However, after the his old enemy Kato, now head of the Japan Karate Association, hears about his feats, feats and acts against them, Bae-dal will have to understand the quest of his life is not over yet.



* ArtisticLicenseHistory: The historical Masutatsu Oyama was born Choi Yeong-eui, not Choi Bao-dal. The latter is somewhat of a popular belief because "Oyama Masutatsu" is a character transliteration of "Baodal", a name for the ancient Korean Joseon kingdom which Oyama chose deliberately.
* ArtisticLicenseMartialArts: Most of Oyama's biography from this film is fictitious, but it is notable that he is portrayed as a boxer and taekkyeon fighter who later basically creates his own style from it.
* ArtisticLicenseMilitary: In real life, kamikaze missions weren't entrusted to Korean-born pilots. Choi and his pals would have never been punished for refusing, as they would have never been ordered to perform it, nor even allowed if they would asked to. This is briefly commented by Kato in the film.

to:

* ArtisticLicenseHistory: AdaptedOut: Many of Oyama's friends and rivals from the manga, which included real life people like Wrestling/{{Rikidozan}}, Wrestling/MasahikoKimura, Jack Dempsey and Great Togo, are all absent from the medium.
* ArtisticLicenseHistory:
**
The historical Masutatsu Oyama was born Choi Yeong-eui, not Choi Bao-dal. The latter is somewhat of a popular belief because "Oyama Masutatsu" is a character transliteration of "Baodal", a name for the ancient Korean Joseon kingdom which Oyama chose deliberately.
* ArtisticLicenseMartialArts: Most of Oyama's biography from this film is fictitious, but it is notable that he is portrayed as a boxer and taekkyeon fighter who later basically creates his own style from it.
* ArtisticLicenseMilitary:
** In real life, kamikaze missions weren't entrusted to Korean-born pilots. Choi and his pals would have never been punished for refusing, as they would have never been ordered to perform it, nor even allowed if they would asked to. However, the real Oyama did have Japanese friends who died in kamikaze units, which he recounted as the reason why he often sought to brawl with U.S. soldiers post war.
** The Oyama from the movie is an uneducated worker, while the real deal studied at Waseda and Takushoku, two of the greatest Japanese universities at the time.
** Most of Oyama's biography from this film is fictitious anyways, but it is notable that he is portrayed as a boxer (hinted but not stated to be a taekkyeon practitioner too) who later basically creates his own style. In real life, Oyama first trained in kung fu, later trained formally in ''two'' styles of karate, and posteriorly also gained a UsefulNotes/{{Judo}} black belt.
** The real Choi never showed any signs of overt Korean patriotism, and actually spent the rest of his life as a Japanese citizen under the name of Oyama, just like he does in the manga.
This is briefly commented by Kato a sort of AdaptationInducedPlotHole in the film.movie, as it feels strange that a furiously Korean man like him adopted a Japanese identity so easily.
* ArtisticLicenseMartialArts:
** While it can admittedly be hard to tell apart between karate styles in all-out brawls, Choi does no movement that reminds of Kyokushin in the entire film, not even katas, which are usually very distinctive.
** The film follows a popular impression that karate was the default martial art of the Empire of Japan, as Kato boasts of it against the foreign fighters in the prisoner camp, and later he and the JKA become very patriotically motivated against Choi because his Korean nationality style. In reality, karate could hardly be considered Japanese for most of its story, as it came from the Ryukyu islands instead of mainland Japan and had strong Chinese influences. The most patriotic Japanese martial at the time of the movie would have been judo, or at least any other traditional jujutsu school.



* CharlesAtlasSuperpower: Choi develops improbably powerful fighting technique, strength, and resilience from his mountain training, including the ability to smash rocks and break limbs with a single punch. Surprisingly, this is [[RealityIsUnrealistic one of the few things the film gets right]] - Oyama really was that good (or so says the legend).

to:

* CanonForeigner: Ryoma and Kato, among other characters, are original to the film.
* CharlesAtlasSuperpower: Choi develops improbably powerful fighting technique, strength, and resilience from his mountain training, including the ability to smash rocks and break limbs with a single punch. Surprisingly, this is [[RealityIsUnrealistic one of the few things the film gets more or less right]] - Oyama really was that good at breaking things (or so says the legend).



* VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory: Calling this film historically inaccurate is the height of understatement - about the only things that are accurate is that Choi (Yeong-eui, not Bae-dal) was a Korean, who became a fighter pilot, who became a MadeOfIron karate master. Most of the characters are completely fictional, and many events of the real Choi's life are distorted or skipped over.
** Ryoma and Kato did not exist.
** Choi didn't train alone, and his fighting style wasn't just taekkyon as the film shows. In real life, he did have formal karate training and even became an apprentice to Shotokan founder Gichin Funakoshi while he was in college.
** Instead of being kamikaze cannon fodder like in the film, Choi had a successful (but short) career in the air force.
** The real Choi never showed any signs of overt Korean patriotism, and actually spent the rest of his life as a Japanese citizen under the name of Oyama. In fact, he recounted having many Japanese friends in the kamikaze units, and his brawls against U.S. soldieres were actually out of revenge for his fallen friends.

to:

* VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory: Calling this film historically inaccurate is the height of understatement - about the only things that are accurate is that Choi (Yeong-eui, not Bae-dal) was a Korean, who became a fighter pilot, who became a MadeOfIron karate master. Most of the characters are completely fictional, and many events of the real Choi's life are distorted or skipped over.
** Ryoma and Kato did not exist.
** Choi didn't train alone, and his fighting style wasn't just taekkyon as
over. Ironically, the film shows. In real life, he did have formal karate training and even became an apprentice to Shotokan founder Gichin Funakoshi while he was manga in college.
** Instead of being kamikaze cannon fodder like in the film, Choi had a successful (but short) career in the air force.
** The real Choi never showed any signs of overt Korean patriotism, and
which it is based might be actually spent considered ''more'' faithful to the rest of his life as a Japanese citizen under the name of Oyama. In fact, he recounted having many Japanese friends in the kamikaze units, and his brawls against U.S. soldieres were actually out of revenge for his fallen friends.real story, if anything because it contradicts it less often.

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Too long of a synopsis, and a too spoileriffic one


A film about the early life of the man who would eventually become the legendary UsefulNotes/{{Karate}} master Mas Oyama.

A young Korean boxer, Choi Bae-dal, is tricked by Japanese propaganda into applying to join the Japanese air force. Upon getting to Japan, he finds that, as a Korean, he will be treated as a prisoner and forced to fly a kamikaze mission - unless he can win his freedom in hand-to-hand combat against the Japanese General Kato. He loses, but to the Japanese soldiers' surprise, actually manages to make the general bleed, right before an American air raid disrupts everything and happens to set the prisoners free.

In post-war Japan, Bae-dal finds work, but has violent clashes with the local {{Yakuza}} branch, being saved by [[BadassBystander the chance arrival of an old family friend]], Bum-soo. A rickshaw driver by day, at night he commits acts of vigilante violence against American soldiers who rape Japanese women or otherwise brutalise the locals. Between these two activities he meets Yoko, and the two eventually develop a relationship. Bae-dal also makes some more friends in the local Korean community after being introduced by Bum-soo.

Unfortunately, the Yakuza aren't willing to let the Koreans live peacefully. They storm the circus where most of the Koreans live, and kill Bae-dal's old friend and mentor. A gang war on the streets ensues, but achieves little for the Koreans. After this, Bae-dal resolves to train himself to become the most invincible martial artist in Japan, and retreats to the mountains for a [[TrainingMontage training sequence]].

When his training is over, he returns to civilization and begins dojo-breaking - entering every Karate (and other martial arts) school he finds, and defeating the masters, and any of the students willing to face him. When the head of the Japan Karate Association - his old enemy Kato - hears that a Korean dares to fight - and beat! - Japanese martial artists, something must be done. The Association decides to send their best fighter, [[TheDragon Kato's former lieutenant Ryoma]], to kill Bae-dal, who is now using the name Masutatsu Oyama. Oyama just barely manages to survive the fight, killing Ryoma, and is arrested the next morning, but released when it becomes obvious that he acted in self-defence.

When it turns out Ryoma had a wife and son who are now left without his support, Oyama is consumed with guilt, and travels to their home to seek forgiveness by working for them in any way he can. Eventually, he bonds with the son and persuades the widow that he really is a good man (a better man than Ryoma, too), and they encourage him to return to fighting. The Japan Karate Association respond to his comeback by attacking his friends and family, so he demands a final showdown against Kato's own karate school to settle things. In the final battle against Kato himself, Oyama wins, but shows the already-defeated Kato mercy by refusing to throw the final (probably fatal) punch to Kato's face, winning his respect at the same time as establishing himself as the best fighter in Japan.

An epilogue shows him continuing to find new challenges, closing on the shot of him taking on a charging bull with only his bare hands.

to:

A The 2004 film adaptation of ''Karate Baka Ichidai'', a manga by Ikki Kajiwara of ''Manga/TigerMask'' loosely about the early life of the man who would eventually become the legendary UsefulNotes/{{Karate}} master Mas Masutatsu Oyama.

A young Korean boxer, Choi Bae-dal, is tricked by Japanese propaganda into applying to join the Japanese air force. Upon getting to Japan, he finds that, as a Korean, he will be treated as a prisoner and forced to fly a kamikaze mission - unless he can win his freedom in hand-to-hand combat against the Japanese General Kato. He loses, but to the Japanese soldiers' surprise, actually manages to make the general bleed, right before an American air raid disrupts everything and happens to set the prisoners free.

bleed.

In post-war Japan, Bae-dal finds work, but has violent clashes with the local {{Yakuza}} branch, being saved by [[BadassBystander the chance arrival of an old family friend]], Bum-soo. A branch. He ends up becoming a rickshaw driver by day, at night he commits acts of day and a violent vigilante violence against at night, defending Japanese women and Korean countrymen from American soldiers who rape Japanese women or otherwise brutalise harm the locals. Between these two activities he meets Yoko, and the two eventually develop a relationship. Bae-dal also makes some more friends in the local Korean community after being introduced by Bum-soo.

Unfortunately, the Yakuza aren't willing to let the Koreans live peacefully. They storm the circus where most of the Koreans live, peacefully, and they kill Bae-dal's old friend and mentor. A gang war on the streets ensues, but achieves little for the Koreans. After this, Bae-dal resolves to train himself to become the most invincible martial artist in Japan, and retreats to the mountains for a [[TrainingMontage training sequence]].

When his training
TrainingFromHell. The man who descends is over, he returns to civilization and begins dojo-breaking - a new Bae-dal, now calling himself Masutatsu Oyama, who starts entering every Karate (and other martial arts) arts school he finds, and defeating finds to defeat the masters, maters and any of the students student willing to face him. When However, after the his old enemy Kato, now head of the Japan Karate Association - his old enemy Kato - Association, hears that about his feats, Bae-dal will have to understand the quest of his life is not over yet.

Despite coming from
a relatively obscure manga, the film was the seventh highest grossing Korean dares to fight - and beat! - Japanese martial artists, something must be done. The Association decides to send their best fighter, [[TheDragon Kato's former lieutenant Ryoma]], to kill Bae-dal, who is now using the name Masutatsu Oyama. Oyama just barely manages to survive the fight, killing Ryoma, and is arrested the next morning, but released when it becomes obvious that he acted in self-defence.

When it turns out Ryoma had a wife and son who are now left without his support, Oyama is consumed with guilt, and travels to their home to seek forgiveness by working for them in any way he can. Eventually, he bonds with the son and persuades the widow that he really is a good man (a better man than Ryoma, too), and they encourage him to return to fighting. The Japan Karate Association respond to his comeback by attacking his friends and family, so he demands a final showdown against Kato's own karate school to settle things. In the final battle against Kato himself, Oyama wins, but shows the already-defeated Kato mercy by refusing to throw the final (probably fatal) punch to Kato's face, winning his respect at the same time as establishing himself as the best fighter in Japan.

An epilogue shows him continuing to find new challenges, closing on the shot
film of him taking on a charging bull with only his bare hands.
2004.



* ArtisticLicenseMilitary: As Kato notes, Kamikaze missions weren't entrusted to Korean-born pilots. Choi and his pals would have never been punished for refusing in real life, as they would have never been asked to perform it.

to:

* AdaptationNameChange: In the original manga, Oyama is not called by any other name than his Japanese pseudonym. Here he is referred as Choi Bao-dal as his supposedly birth name.
* ArtisticLicenseHistory: The historical Masutatsu Oyama was born Choi Yeong-eui, not Choi Bao-dal. The latter is somewhat of a popular belief because "Oyama Masutatsu" is a character transliteration of "Baodal", a name for the ancient Korean Joseon kingdom which Oyama chose deliberately.
* ArtisticLicenseMartialArts: Most of Oyama's biography from this film is fictitious, but it is notable that he is portrayed as a boxer and taekkyeon fighter who later basically creates his own style from it.
* ArtisticLicenseMilitary: As Kato notes, Kamikaze In real life, kamikaze missions weren't entrusted to Korean-born pilots. Choi and his pals would have never been punished for refusing in real life, refusing, as they would have never been asked ordered to perform it.it, nor even allowed if they would asked to. This is briefly commented by Kato in the film.
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A film about the early life of the man who would eventually become the legendary karateka, Mas Oyama.

to:

A film about the early life of the man who would eventually become the legendary karateka, UsefulNotes/{{Karate}} master Mas Oyama.



* CharlesAtlasSuperpower: Choi develops improbably powerful fighting technique, strength, and resilience, from his mountain training, including the ability to smash rocks and break limbs with a single punch. Surprisingly, this is [[RealityIsUnrealistic one of the few things the film gets right]] - Oyama really was that good (or so says the legend).

to:

* CharlesAtlasSuperpower: Choi develops improbably powerful fighting technique, strength, and resilience, resilience from his mountain training, including the ability to smash rocks and break limbs with a single punch. Surprisingly, this is [[RealityIsUnrealistic one of the few things the film gets right]] - Oyama really was that good (or so says the legend).



* RealityEnsues: You want to have a badass martial arts duel to the death in an abandoned temple? Expect to be arrested, and to have to deal with the fact you just created a widow and an orphan.

to:

* RealityEnsues: You want to have a badass martial arts duel to the death in an abandoned temple? death? Expect to be arrested, and to have to deal with the fact you just created a widow and an orphan.



** Choi didn't train alone, and his fighting style wasn't just taekkyon as the film shows. In real life, he was an unorthodox karateka and became an apprentice to Shotokan founder Gichin Funakoshi while he was in college.

to:

** Choi didn't train alone, and his fighting style wasn't just taekkyon as the film shows. In real life, he was an unorthodox karateka did have formal karate training and even became an apprentice to Shotokan founder Gichin Funakoshi while he was in college.



** Under the name of Oyama, he never showed any signs of overt Korean patriotism, and spent the rest of his life as a Japanese citizen. In fact, he recounted having many Japanese friends in the kamikaze units, and his brawls against U.S. soldieres were actually out of revenge for his fallen friends.

to:

** Under the name of Oyama, he The real Choi never showed any signs of overt Korean patriotism, and actually spent the rest of his life as a Japanese citizen.citizen under the name of Oyama. In fact, he recounted having many Japanese friends in the kamikaze units, and his brawls against U.S. soldieres were actually out of revenge for his fallen friends.

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Removed: 206

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* ArtisticLicenseMilitary: As Kato notes, Kamikaze missions weren't entrusted to Korean-born pilots. Choi and his pals would have never been punished for refusing in real life, as they would have never been asked to perform it.



* AsskickingEqualsAuthority[=/=]AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: justified in that the masters are universally better fighters than their students. However, the fact that [[BigBad General Kato]] and his [[TheDragon lieutenant Ryoma]] are the only people on Bae-dal's level is a straighter example.
* BadassBystander: When a gang of Yakuza pull swords on Bae-dal, some guy in a hat (later revealed to be an old friend) leaps out of the crowd and fights them to a standstill - despite only having one hand.

to:

* AsskickingEqualsAuthority[=/=]AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: justified Justified in that the masters are universally better fighters than their students. However, the fact that [[BigBad General Kato]] and his [[TheDragon lieutenant Ryoma]] are the only people on Bae-dal's level is a straighter example.
* BadassBystander: When a gang of Yakuza pull swords on Bae-dal, some guy in a hat (later revealed to be an old friend) leaps out of the crowd and fights them to a standstill - despite only having one hand.
example.



* BookEnds: the fights with Kato. At the start of the film, he loses by punching Kato in the face; at the end of the film, he wins by ''refusing'' to punch Kato in the face.
* CharlesAtlasSuperpower: Choi develops improbably powerful fighting technique, strength, and resilience, from his mountain training, including the ability to smash rocks and break limbs with a single punch. Surprisingly, this is [[RealityIsUnrealistic one of the few things the film gets right]] - Oyama really was that good.
* CurbStompBattle: Only the masters pose any kind of threat to Choi; students get dispatched with one or two punches.
* [[DecoyProtagonist Decoy Antagonist]]: the American soldier who sees Choi, in his vigilante phase, as a personal rival, is set up as a villain, but dispatched offscreen a few minutes later.

to:

* BigDamnHeroes: When a gang of Yakuza pull swords on Bae-dal, some guy in a hat (later revealed to be an old friend) leaps out of the crowd and fights them to a standstill - despite only having one hand.
* BookEnds: the The fights with Kato. At the start of the film, he loses by punching Kato in the face; at the end of the film, he wins by ''refusing'' to punch Kato in the face.
* CharlesAtlasSuperpower: Choi develops improbably powerful fighting technique, strength, and resilience, from his mountain training, including the ability to smash rocks and break limbs with a single punch. Surprisingly, this is [[RealityIsUnrealistic one of the few things the film gets right]] - Oyama really was that good.
good (or so says the legend).
* CurbStompBattle: Only the masters pose any kind of threat to Choi; students get dispatched with one or two punches.
punches. Interestingly enough, developing enough skill to do this is actually one of the philosophical goals of karate, a concept called ''ikken hissatsu'' ("one blow death"). By doing so, Oyama is showing not only that he is a badass, but also that his karate is superior in all senses.
* [[DecoyProtagonist Decoy Antagonist]]: the The American soldier who sees Choi, Choi in his vigilante phase, phase as a personal rival, rival is set up as a villain, but he is dispatched offscreen a few minutes later.



* ImportantHaircut: After his HeroicBSOD in the mountains, Choi shaves off one eyebrow, to make sure he can't return to civilization until it's grown back (a traditional act in Japanese culture).

to:

* ImportantHaircut: After his HeroicBSOD in the mountains, Choi shaves off one eyebrow, eyebrow to make sure he can't return to civilization until it's grown back (a back. Again, this is a traditional act in Japanese culture).culture.



* {{Ninja}}: One (implied to be one) provides one of his more difficult fights, outside a feudal-era Japanese castle.
* PeekABangs: Ryoma. For most of the film, conceals the fact that he's actually blind in one eye.
* RealityEnsues: You want to have a badass martial-arts duel to the death in an abandoned temple? Expect to be arrested, and to have to deal with the fact you just created a widow and orphan.
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: the Koreans go on one after Bum-soo is murdered. Its general ineffectiveness prompts Bae-dal to go on his mountain adventure.
* ScryVsScry: Subverted. Before the duel with Ryoma, he has a vision of the katana wielding rival being stopped before he can unsheath his sword and then losing. When they do fight, however, the rival is able to draw his katana and lay it flat on his opponent's head, showing that he could have easily won. Then they fight for real.

to:

* {{Ninja}}: One (implied to be one) provides one of his more difficult fights, fights outside a feudal-era Japanese castle.
castle. He even does a wall-running stunt while grabbing Choi.
* PeekABangs: Ryoma. For most of the film, it conceals the fact that he's actually blind in one eye.
* RealityEnsues: You want to have a badass martial-arts martial arts duel to the death in an abandoned temple? Expect to be arrested, and to have to deal with the fact you just created a widow and an orphan.
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: the The Koreans go on one after Bum-soo is murdered. Its general ineffectiveness prompts Bae-dal to go on his mountain adventure.
* ScryVsScry: Subverted. Before the duel with Ryoma, he has a vision of the katana wielding katana-wielding rival being stopped before he can unsheath his sword and then losing. When they do fight, however, the rival is able to draw his katana and fast enough to lay it flat on his opponent's head, showing that he could have easily won. Then they fight for real.



* TrainingMontage: a classic straight example.
* VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory: calling this film historically inaccurate is the height of understatement - about the only things that are accurate is that Choi (Yeong-eui, not Bae-dal) was a Korean, who became a fighter pilot, who became a MadeOfIron karate master. Most of the characters are completely fictional, and many events of the real Choi's life are distorted or skipped over.

to:

* TrainingMontage: a A classic straight example.
* VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory: calling Calling this film historically inaccurate is the height of understatement - about the only things that are accurate is that Choi (Yeong-eui, not Bae-dal) was a Korean, who became a fighter pilot, who became a MadeOfIron karate master. Most of the characters are completely fictional, and many events of the real Choi's life are distorted or skipped over.



** Choi was actually encouraged by the real-life karate master Funakochi.
** Kamikaze missions weren't entrusted to Korean-born pilots; in fact, Choi had a successful but short career in the air force.
** As Oyama, he never showed any signs of overt Korean patriotism, and spent the rest of his life as a Japanese citizen.

to:

** Choi didn't train alone, and his fighting style wasn't just taekkyon as the film shows. In real life, he was actually encouraged by an unorthodox karateka and became an apprentice to Shotokan founder Gichin Funakoshi while he was in college.
** Instead of being kamikaze cannon fodder like in
the real-life karate master Funakochi.
** Kamikaze missions weren't entrusted to Korean-born pilots; in fact,
film, Choi had a successful but short (but short) career in the air force.
** As Under the name of Oyama, he never showed any signs of overt Korean patriotism, and spent the rest of his life as a Japanese citizen.citizen. In fact, he recounted having many Japanese friends in the kamikaze units, and his brawls against U.S. soldieres were actually out of revenge for his fallen friends.



* {{Yakuza}}: provide the main motivation for Choi's [[TookALevelInBadass level-up]] when they murder Bum-soo.

to:

* {{Yakuza}}: provide Provide the main motivation for Choi's [[TookALevelInBadass level-up]] when they murder Bum-soo.

Added: 236

Removed: 66

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* Geisha: Bae-dal's love, Youko, is a maiko (geisha-in-training).



* {{Yakuza}}: provide the main motivation for Choi's [[TookALevelInBadass level-up]] when they murder Bum-soo.

to:

* {{Yakuza}}: provide the main motivation for Choi's [[TookALevelInBadass level-up]] when they murder Bum-soo.Bum-soo.
* YamatoNadeshiko: Youko, Bae-dal's lover, is a maiko (geisha-in-training), wears kimono in all her appearances, and lives a relatively traditional lifestyle. In fact, she is shown to wear Western clothing only once in the entire film.
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Added DiffLines:

* Geisha: Bae-dal's love, Youko, is a maiko (geisha-in-training).
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Added DiffLines:

[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Fighter_in_the_Wind_movie_poster_5574.png]]

A film about the early life of the man who would eventually become the legendary karateka, Mas Oyama.

A young Korean boxer, Choi Bae-dal, is tricked by Japanese propaganda into applying to join the Japanese air force. Upon getting to Japan, he finds that, as a Korean, he will be treated as a prisoner and forced to fly a kamikaze mission - unless he can win his freedom in hand-to-hand combat against the Japanese General Kato. He loses, but to the Japanese soldiers' surprise, actually manages to make the general bleed, right before an American air raid disrupts everything and happens to set the prisoners free.

In post-war Japan, Bae-dal finds work, but has violent clashes with the local {{Yakuza}} branch, being saved by [[BadassBystander the chance arrival of an old family friend]], Bum-soo. A rickshaw driver by day, at night he commits acts of vigilante violence against American soldiers who rape Japanese women or otherwise brutalise the locals. Between these two activities he meets Yoko, and the two eventually develop a relationship. Bae-dal also makes some more friends in the local Korean community after being introduced by Bum-soo.

Unfortunately, the Yakuza aren't willing to let the Koreans live peacefully. They storm the circus where most of the Koreans live, and kill Bae-dal's old friend and mentor. A gang war on the streets ensues, but achieves little for the Koreans. After this, Bae-dal resolves to train himself to become the most invincible martial artist in Japan, and retreats to the mountains for a [[TrainingMontage training sequence]].

When his training is over, he returns to civilization and begins dojo-breaking - entering every Karate (and other martial arts) school he finds, and defeating the masters, and any of the students willing to face him. When the head of the Japan Karate Association - his old enemy Kato - hears that a Korean dares to fight - and beat! - Japanese martial artists, something must be done. The Association decides to send their best fighter, [[TheDragon Kato's former lieutenant Ryoma]], to kill Bae-dal, who is now using the name Masutatsu Oyama. Oyama just barely manages to survive the fight, killing Ryoma, and is arrested the next morning, but released when it becomes obvious that he acted in self-defence.

When it turns out Ryoma had a wife and son who are now left without his support, Oyama is consumed with guilt, and travels to their home to seek forgiveness by working for them in any way he can. Eventually, he bonds with the son and persuades the widow that he really is a good man (a better man than Ryoma, too), and they encourage him to return to fighting. The Japan Karate Association respond to his comeback by attacking his friends and family, so he demands a final showdown against Kato's own karate school to settle things. In the final battle against Kato himself, Oyama wins, but shows the already-defeated Kato mercy by refusing to throw the final (probably fatal) punch to Kato's face, winning his respect at the same time as establishing himself as the best fighter in Japan.

An epilogue shows him continuing to find new challenges, closing on the shot of him taking on a charging bull with only his bare hands.

----
!!This film provides examples of:
* AsskickingPose: Averted. Choi's favoured stance is a simple boxing guard. The few opponents stupid enough to try elaborate stances get unpleasant things done to them. Then subverted; at the end Choi and Kato are so evenly matched that they take a moment's time out to limber up and get into their preferred stances again.
* AsskickingEqualsAuthority[=/=]AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: justified in that the masters are universally better fighters than their students. However, the fact that [[BigBad General Kato]] and his [[TheDragon lieutenant Ryoma]] are the only people on Bae-dal's level is a straighter example.
* BadassBystander: When a gang of Yakuza pull swords on Bae-dal, some guy in a hat (later revealed to be an old friend) leaps out of the crowd and fights them to a standstill - despite only having one hand.
* BadassLongcoat: Bum-soo; later, Ryoma.
* BookEnds: the fights with Kato. At the start of the film, he loses by punching Kato in the face; at the end of the film, he wins by ''refusing'' to punch Kato in the face.
* CharlesAtlasSuperpower: Choi develops improbably powerful fighting technique, strength, and resilience, from his mountain training, including the ability to smash rocks and break limbs with a single punch. Surprisingly, this is [[RealityIsUnrealistic one of the few things the film gets right]] - Oyama really was that good.
* CurbStompBattle: Only the masters pose any kind of threat to Choi; students get dispatched with one or two punches.
* [[DecoyProtagonist Decoy Antagonist]]: the American soldier who sees Choi, in his vigilante phase, as a personal rival, is set up as a villain, but dispatched offscreen a few minutes later.
* HeroicBSOD: Happens to Oyama no less than three times: after Bum-soo's death, once [[DespairEventHorizon through despair]] in the mountains, and once when he realises that violence has horrible consequences.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard[=/=]SuicidalOverconfidence: Ryoma is easily the best fighter in the film, and could have effortlessly beaten Choi if he had only not been arrogant enough to toy around with him instead of fighting seriously.
* ImportantHaircut: After his HeroicBSOD in the mountains, Choi shaves off one eyebrow, to make sure he can't return to civilization until it's grown back (a traditional act in Japanese culture).
* LetsGetDangerous: Kato and Choi both, when they each realise that the other is too tough for the usual [[CurbStompBattle curb-stomp]] to work.
* MadeOfIron: Choi's ''modus operandi''. The mountain training was specifically intended to make him able to take any kind of punishment Japan throws at him. Kicks and punches bother him about as much as a stiff breeze.
* MadeOfPlasticine: Unnamed characters who make the mistake of fighting Choi.
* MartialArtsUniform: Choi wears one for most of the second two-thirds of the movie - it is his only clothing while training in the mountains.
* {{Ninja}}: One (implied to be one) provides one of his more difficult fights, outside a feudal-era Japanese castle.
* PeekABangs: Ryoma. For most of the film, conceals the fact that he's actually blind in one eye.
* RealityEnsues: You want to have a badass martial-arts duel to the death in an abandoned temple? Expect to be arrested, and to have to deal with the fact you just created a widow and orphan.
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: the Koreans go on one after Bum-soo is murdered. Its general ineffectiveness prompts Bae-dal to go on his mountain adventure.
* ScryVsScry: Subverted. Before the duel with Ryoma, he has a vision of the katana wielding rival being stopped before he can unsheath his sword and then losing. When they do fight, however, the rival is able to draw his katana and lay it flat on his opponent's head, showing that he could have easily won. Then they fight for real.
* TenMinuteRetirement: After killing Ryoma, Choi puts his ''gi'' aside and swears never to fight again. This doesn't last very long.
* ThemeMusicPowerUp[=/=]AutobotsRockOut: Don't stand in front of Choi's fists when the guitar starts.
* TookALevelInBadass: Choi takes a colossal one during the mountain training.
* TrainingFromHell: Learning to take any punishment, by taking ''every'' punishment.
* TrainingMontage: a classic straight example.
* VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory: calling this film historically inaccurate is the height of understatement - about the only things that are accurate is that Choi (Yeong-eui, not Bae-dal) was a Korean, who became a fighter pilot, who became a MadeOfIron karate master. Most of the characters are completely fictional, and many events of the real Choi's life are distorted or skipped over.
** Ryoma and Kato did not exist.
** Choi was actually encouraged by the real-life karate master Funakochi.
** Kamikaze missions weren't entrusted to Korean-born pilots; in fact, Choi had a successful but short career in the air force.
** As Oyama, he never showed any signs of overt Korean patriotism, and spent the rest of his life as a Japanese citizen.
* WorthyOpponent: Choi's true victory is when Kato finally recognises him as this.
* {{Yakuza}}: provide the main motivation for Choi's [[TookALevelInBadass level-up]] when they murder Bum-soo.

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