Seoul spring

12.12.: The Day, originally published as Seoul-ui bom, is a South Korean historical action-drama that takes place in the late seventies and early eighties in South Korea as it follows the assassination of President Park Chung Hee, the declaration of martial law and a coup d'état unfolding on the day referenced in the title. This movie closely analyzes the rivalry between Lee Tae Shin, the courageous commander of the Capital Garrison Command, and Chun Doo Gwang, an influential security commander with a pitiless attitude. This suspenseful movie is gripping from start to finish, no matter how much you know or you don't know yet about South Korean history. It's interesting to note that very similar events are currently unfolding in South Korea in late 2024 and early 2025 and here's hope that citizens are wise enough to not repeat the terrible mistakes that occurred during Seoul Spring in 1979 and 1980 and led the country into a brutal eight-year long dictatorship rather than to democracy, freedom and modernity.

Other than the gripping story and the valuable lessons that should be learnt from it, one has to point out the excellent acting in this film. Jung Woo Sung convinces as an idealistic commander in a role he didn't choose who successively gets abandoned and betrayed by friends and partners alike. Hwang Jung Min excels as sinister leader putting friends and foes under great pressure who doesn't hesitate to go to extreme lengths to achieve his dystopian goals.

This wonderful movie also works so well thanks to the excellent job by director Kim Sung Soo who uses calm camera work, excellent lighting and atmospheric settings to recapture the dreadful events unfolding throughout one single evening and night at the heart of South Korea's capital.

The director's excellent work is complemented by a tense soundtrack, accurate props and fitting costumes. These elements make this exciting mixture of an action movie, a drama and a thriller feel like an authentic documentary.

One has to applaud South Korean filmmakers to portray the dark side of its history so directly, honestly and openly. Several other countries in the region tend to use excessive lies, pathos and propaganda to make viewers believe fabricated history in contemporary cinema. In times like these, South Korea must fight stronger than ever before to keep these ideals intact and confront those who are putting such values at excessive risk.

To keep it short, 12.12.: The Day, originally published as Seoul-ui bom, combines genres such as action, drama and thriller to create a historical film that doesn't only honestly showcase the horrors of South Korea's past but even the impending doom of its worrisome future. Let's help South Korea keep its constitutional values of democracy, freedom and peace established since the beginning of the Sixth Republic all the way back in 1987 and drive those who actively menace such values out of the country.

I have recently been watching one after the other terrific Korean movie. Why? Because unknown to many Western movie goers (me included until recently) the Korean movie industry is without a doubt one of the very best creators of intense, true to life dramas. They dont come much better than this!

This movie is all about Korean politics and war history. Not knowing anything about Korea's history didnt prevent me from being thoroughly impressed by this storyline though about ONE exceptionally brave and patriotic army commander who single handedly tried to stop a military uprising against the government. Not kiddin'.

What intense drama! What glorious characters. What evil and wicked treachery. What a sad and demoralising final. What a blast to watch!

Highly recommended for the fans of Korean cinema and also for those who are into fierce and unrelenting, war dramas.

Wow... This electric political thriller by Kim Sung-su is a masterwork in the genre and the single best I've seen since The Spy Gone North (or maybe The Man Standing Next which is, coincidentally, a great companion piece to this film). Like in Kim's Asura, both Hwang Jung-min and Jung Woo-sung star in the main roles, and they kill it.

The film follows infamous events in 1979. When corrupt general Chun Doo-hwan incited the coup d'état that aimed to overthrow the current leadership. Korean audiences are familiar with the event, but everyone else should do a bit of light reading to get up to speed with the era's political situation, just to avoid possible confusion while watching. Otherwise, this is dynamic, seriously impressive filmmaking that will grip anyone who enjoys the political drama/thriller genre and shows an interest in historical events.

Both Hwang and Jung are great in the main roles, and they're aided by a small army of capable supporting actors who perform admirably. Chun is quite a despicable figure from Korea's past and Hwang embodies him as a charismatic but scheming villain not unlike his mayor role in Asura. Jung's commander Lee, in contrast, evokes pathos as a man willing to stand his ground in the face of tyranny, despite everyone's pleads.

This is a lengthy, talky film that begins as a slowly boiling pot that gains considerable speed by the halfway mark and never lets up. It's very involving and brilliantly shot, with explosive violence that occasionally erupts after long buildups, making it all the more effective. The coup's initial stage is skilfully filmed as several events happen all at once, and is arguably one of the film's high points.

Huge recommendation for what is definitely among the best Korean films of 2023.

A gripping political thriller that reconstructs South Korea's 1979 military coup with urgency and clarity. "12.12: The Day" doesn't hold back, diving into the raw power struggle as General Chun Doo-gwang seizes control. Director Kim Sung-su crafts a taut, tightly edited narrative with sustained intensity. It's not just a historical retelling, but a high-stakes, real-world drama that echoes the chaos and tension of a nation in crisis.

The best Korean movie in the last year and one of the best movies I have ever seen , After I finished it I watched "A taxi driver 2017 " its events after four months of the events of 12 12 the day to see what's the impact of these 9 hours and what they did in a whole country for 8 years , it was horrific and people suffered alot this time .

The direction is great, make me nervous until the end, director kim sung su is one of the best Korean directors especially after this movie , the screenplay was great too , it shows alot of events happend in only 9 hours without any false and with alot of tense .

The acting is amazing from all actors but Hwang jung min is in another level, The scene in the bathroom is crazy , I think all the awards best actor this year are done.