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Default
국가부도의 날
2018 114 min South Korea 18+
★7.1
Drama, History
Director: Kook-Hee Choi
Trailers
EN
Teaser
Description
Only one week left until South Korea will go under sovereign default. Han Shi-hyun is a leader of the monetary policy team at the Bank of Korea. and is assigned to a crisis team.
US Gross:
$203,775
Starring
Kim Hye-su
Actor
Yoo Ah-in
Actor
Huh Joon-ho
Actor
Awards
3 wins & 5 nominations total
Key opinion
Default is a tense historical drama that successfully translates the complexities of the 1997 Korean financial crisis into a accessible, multi-perspective narrative. While many praise its strong performances and cultural relevance, critics are divided over whether the film prioritizes emotional depth or stylistic melodrama.
| Acting | The ensemble cast delivers strong performances, with Kim Hye-soo effectively anchoring the narrative as a determined economist. | |
| Acting | Vincent Cassel's performance as the IMF representative provides a striking, gravitas-filled presence despite his limited screen time. | |
| Accessibility | The film succeeds in making complex macro-economic concepts accessible to a general audience through sharp, clear dialogue. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the storytelling are divided: some find the parallel plotlines a tightly woven exploration of the crisis, while others feel it sacrifices character depth for broad, analytical coverage. | |
| Direction | Viewers disagree on the film's tone; some appreciate the grim, realistic portrayal of national trauma, while others feel the direction veers into forced sentimentality and melodrama. | |
| Pacing | The pacing is viewed as either a steady, engaging examination of bureaucratic tension or a dry, slow experience that lacks sufficient narrative momentum. |