Trailers
Description
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, an obstinate soldier who believes the military should not take political actions, fights against Chun Doo-gwang to stop him. The conflict between the two grows while military leaders are holding their decision and Defense Minister is gone. In the midst of chaos, the spring of Seoul that everyone longed for heads to unexpected direction.
Starring
Awards
Key opinion
12.12: The Day is a gripping historical drama that effectively captures the high-stakes tension of the 1979 military coup. While it balances theatrical military staging with political intrigue, it successfully transforms a complex period of Korean history into an intense and well-acted cinematic experience.
| Acting | Hwang Jung-min delivers a transformative, award-winning performance as the ruthless coup leader. | |
| Direction | Director Kim Sung-soo maintains a relentless sense of urgency and tension throughout the depiction of large-scale military movements. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative successfully dramatizes the shift from quiet political scheming to explosive chaos. | |
| Pacing | The film's reliance on dialogue-heavy scenes divides viewers: some appreciate the theatrical build-up, while others find the talk-driven foundation slow to gain momentum. |