It is August, 1945 and Han-joong, in prison due to a friend’s betrayal during the independence movement, breaks out of prison with a serious injury and ends up hiding at nurse Hye-ja’s house. He hears that his friend is arrested while preparing an armed attack and goes to save him. After a long chase, he escapes again from the hands of the Japanese soldiers and greets the morning of independence. Viva Freedom is the first film made since the declaration of independence and the first part of a trilogy of independence films made by CHOI In-gyu who also made propaganda films at the end of the Japanese occupation, in hope of redemption. Viva Freedom is a story of a hero, Han-joong. The second part of the trilogy, The Night before Independence Day (1948), shows the strength of all national heroes in the independence movement. Director CHOI In-gyu finally reaches his own issues in the 3rd film, An Innocent Criminal, which deals with the conscience of an individual forced into the whirlwind of history. Although his works have been criticized as an attempt for indulgence, it is undeniable that there is no other film that deals with the joy of independence with such dignity as Viva Freedom. (CHO Young-jung)