DIRECTOR: Kim Sung-soo
STARRING: Hwang Jung-min, Jung Woo-Sung, Lee Sung-min, Park Hae-jun
RUNNING TIME: 2 hrs 22 minutes
LANGUAGE: Korean
After the assassination of President Park, martial law has been declared. A coup d'état bursts out by Defense Security Commander Chun Doo-gwang and a private band of officers following him. Capital Defense Commander Lee Tae-shin fights against Chun Doo-gwang to stop him. The conflict between the two grows while military leaders are holding their decision.
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12.12: The Day is a 2023 South Korean historical drama film directed by Kim Sung-soo and starring Hwang Jung-min, Jung Woo-Sung, and Lee Sung-min. The film was released theatrically on November 22nd, 2023 across South Korea, three days after International Men's Day. The film has grossed over $97 million USD making it the fouth-highest grossing Korean film of all time. The film is now available on video on demand.
The historical film 12.12: The Day has been selected as Korea's entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards, the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) said Wednesday, September 4th. The unanimous decision was based on the film's engaging storytelling, outstanding cast performances, exceptional production quality and insightful portrayal of historical events, according to the KOFIC.
The film was produced by Kim Won-kuk from Hive Media Corp.
12.12: The Day is a crime drama and it was filmed in Seoul and in Daegu, South Korea.
To check out all previous submissions for South Korea, click HERE.
STARRING: Hwang Jung-min, Jung Woo-Sung, Lee Sung-min, Park Hae-jun
RUNNING TIME: 2 hrs 22 minutes
LANGUAGE: Korean
After the assassination of President Park, martial law has been declared. A coup d'état bursts out by Defense Security Commander Chun Doo-gwang and a private band of officers following him. Capital Defense Commander Lee Tae-shin fights against Chun Doo-gwang to stop him. The conflict between the two grows while military leaders are holding their decision.
***
12.12: The Day is a 2023 South Korean historical drama film directed by Kim Sung-soo and starring Hwang Jung-min, Jung Woo-Sung, and Lee Sung-min. The film was released theatrically on November 22nd, 2023 across South Korea, three days after International Men's Day. The film has grossed over $97 million USD making it the fouth-highest grossing Korean film of all time. The film is now available on video on demand.
The historical film 12.12: The Day has been selected as Korea's entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards, the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) said Wednesday, September 4th. The unanimous decision was based on the film's engaging storytelling, outstanding cast performances, exceptional production quality and insightful portrayal of historical events, according to the KOFIC.
The film was produced by Kim Won-kuk from Hive Media Corp.
12.12: The Day is a crime drama and it was filmed in Seoul and in Daegu, South Korea.
To check out all previous submissions for South Korea, click HERE.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
“Looks like I picked the perfect day for a party.”
12.12: The Day marks a triumphant return for director Kim Sung-soo, known for his intense and gripping films like Musa, Asura: The City of Madness, and Flu. As in his previous works, Kim brings a powerful combination of stellar performances, high-stakes drama, and keen historical insight to his latest release, solidifying his reputation as a master of political thrillers.
The film is set against the backdrop of South Korea’s chaotic post-1979 political landscape, following the assassination of President Park Chung-hee. It vividly portrays the ensuing political turmoil, with martial law imposed and the power struggle between military factions becoming more intense. By highlighting the clash between General Chun Doo-hwan and those defending democratic ideals like Major General Lee Tae-shin, 12.12: The Day dramatizes a tense moment in South Korea's modern history. Their ideological battle forms the heart of the movie, and the conflict between these two towering figures mirrors the larger divisions within the military and the nation.
Director Kim Sung-soo masterfully creates a tense and politically charged atmosphere. Drawing stylistic inspiration from 1970s filmmaking, his use of split screens and gripping cinematography enhances the film’s dramatic intensity. While it remains historically accurate, the movie’s use of these cinematic techniques pulls the audience into the moral and psychological stakes faced by its characters.
The film masterfully blends historical political drama with elements that evoke the feel of a horror film. By portraying the 12.12 Military Insurrection as a "deranged tragedy," the film taps into the fear and uncertainty of a society in turmoil, where evil manifests in the form of unchecked power and betrayal. The themes of greed and corruption that drive the narrative are indeed universal, but Kim Sung-soo’s execution elevates these concepts, making them bold, gripping, and terrifying in a deeply historical context.
12.12: The Day can happen anywhere and anytime in our world. It’s a cautionary tale about the consequences of allowing evil to prevail, framed in a way that feels as unsettling as it is fascinating.
(This review contains spoilers.)
“Looks like I picked the perfect day for a party.”
12.12: The Day marks a triumphant return for director Kim Sung-soo, known for his intense and gripping films like Musa, Asura: The City of Madness, and Flu. As in his previous works, Kim brings a powerful combination of stellar performances, high-stakes drama, and keen historical insight to his latest release, solidifying his reputation as a master of political thrillers.
The film is set against the backdrop of South Korea’s chaotic post-1979 political landscape, following the assassination of President Park Chung-hee. It vividly portrays the ensuing political turmoil, with martial law imposed and the power struggle between military factions becoming more intense. By highlighting the clash between General Chun Doo-hwan and those defending democratic ideals like Major General Lee Tae-shin, 12.12: The Day dramatizes a tense moment in South Korea's modern history. Their ideological battle forms the heart of the movie, and the conflict between these two towering figures mirrors the larger divisions within the military and the nation.
Director Kim Sung-soo masterfully creates a tense and politically charged atmosphere. Drawing stylistic inspiration from 1970s filmmaking, his use of split screens and gripping cinematography enhances the film’s dramatic intensity. While it remains historically accurate, the movie’s use of these cinematic techniques pulls the audience into the moral and psychological stakes faced by its characters.
The film masterfully blends historical political drama with elements that evoke the feel of a horror film. By portraying the 12.12 Military Insurrection as a "deranged tragedy," the film taps into the fear and uncertainty of a society in turmoil, where evil manifests in the form of unchecked power and betrayal. The themes of greed and corruption that drive the narrative are indeed universal, but Kim Sung-soo’s execution elevates these concepts, making them bold, gripping, and terrifying in a deeply historical context.
12.12: The Day can happen anywhere and anytime in our world. It’s a cautionary tale about the consequences of allowing evil to prevail, framed in a way that feels as unsettling as it is fascinating.
