Seven movies to understand Korea’s modern history

Last week, the Korean cinema industry experienced a much-needed revitalization with the release of 12.12: The Day, a poignant film that delves into a somber chapter in Korea's modern history. The response from the local audience has been overwhelming, with total admissions expected to cross the 3 million mark this weekend, marking a significant triumph for an industry that has grappled with challenges throughout the latter part of the year.

The film takes us back to a crucial moment in Korea's past, a day that left an indelible mark on the nation's journey toward democracy. It serves as a compelling reminder of the political milestones achieved and the sacrifices made to pave the way for the vibrant democracy we witness today.

Another aspect that makes this cinematic endeavor particularly intriguing is that it fits perfectly in relation to other titles, which covered more well-known events in recent Korean history. It was the last missing piece that completes the puzzle, resulting in a cohesive picture telling a metanarrative of Korea’s struggle to achieve democracy. 12.12: The Day represents the pinnacle moment when the country stood at the crossroad of two conflicting ideas for the future of the nation.

12.12: The Day is set within a specific context familiar to those who grew up in Korea, but that remains relatively unknown to the outside world. For those planning to watch it, the films we are presenting here become not just a recommended watch but an essential part of a unique cinematic journey through some of the darkest chapters of Korea’s history, from the tumultuous Korean War in 1950-1953 to the ultimate culmination of the military dictatorship in 1987. 

Ode to My Father (2014) by JK Youn

We start with a cinematic epic that spans four decades of Korean history, providing a comprehensive way to catch up with what happened since the founding of South Korea. It starts with the Korean War (1950-1953), focusing on the Hungnam evacuation, a pivotal moment that sees protagonist Deok-soo and his family be separated from his father and youngest sister amid the withdrawal of UN forces and the resettlement of North Korean refugees in Busan, on the southern coast.

In the 1960s, South Korea was under the leadership of Park Chung-hee, who rose to power through a military coup. Despite his controversial legacy, he is widely regarded as the chief architect of the Miracle of the Han River, a period of unprecedented rapid economic development. Deok-soo becomes part of this transformative era when South Korea, devastated by war, sends workers to West Germany in exchange for much-needed financial aid, and once again later on as part of the soldiers sent to fight in the Vietnam War. 

Spanning so much of Korea's history in two hours, ​Ode to My Father serves as the perfect introduction to put you up to date before getting to the meat of the subject, and it is an effective reminder of the resilience and sacrifices displayed by the generation that navigated a rapidly changing Korea and would later have big hopes for the future of the country.

The Man Standing Next ​(2020) by Woo Min-ho

The Man Standing Next is an essential prelude to 12.12: The Day. Set in the late 1970s, the film meticulously navigates the political landscape dominated by President Park, who by then has solidified absolute control over South Korea, establishing what is considered by many as a dictatorship. The narrative gains momentum as it unravels the shocking revelation that South Korea attempted to bribe members of the U.S. Congress, a revelation brought to light by the former head of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA). 

This gripping exposé suggests that Park's dissatisfaction with the KCIA's “handling” of this inconvenient witness, coupled with ensuing distrust, culminated in his assassination on October 26, 1979, at the hands of the head of the KCIA. The film intricately explores the power dynamics that were at plays, providing a nuanced perspective on the internal struggles that set the stage for the tumultuous period leading up to December 12.

12.12: The Day (2023) by Kim Sung-soo

This films starts immediately in the aftermath of Park's assassination, with the KCIA leader who fired the shot being tortured. Major General Chun Doo-hwan, tasked with investigating those involved in the assassination, takes this opportunity to seize control of the KCIA and engineers a coup on December 12, just after the Acting President agreed to negotiate on a constitution revision. On that pivotal night, troops of opposing factions were seen fighting in the streets of Seoul, until Chun took full control of the Army. 

The Korean title of this movie, "Seoul’s Spring," is laden with painful irony, referencing the hopeful period following Park's assassination when the population anticipated the end of military dictatorship and a return to democracy, only to see these hopes be cruelly crushed by the imposition of martial law. The movie captivates audiences by portraying the nine intense hours that would seal the fate for the nation, with many moviegoers commenting online on the stressful final moments of the film. The characters all have slightly altered names compared to their real-life counterparts, and Hwang Jung-min, who took up to the challenge of portraying one of today’s most reviled figures in Korean history, delivers a mesmerizing performance.

A Taxi Driver ​(2017) by Jang Hun

Just as ​The Man Standing Next ​served as the perfect prequel to ​12.12: The Day​, this film can be seen as a sequel, offering a deeply moving portrayal of the disheartening consequences of Chun’s power consolidation. Just six months after the events of December 12, the citizens' unmet demands for democracy led to mass protests across the nation. In response, Chun and his clique imposed full-scale martial law, providing the pretext needed to quash militant groups and dissenting voices.

The heart of A Taxi Driver lies in the Gwangju Uprising, a defining moment in South Korea's struggle for democracy. Citizens, outraged by the use of live munitions against peaceful protestors, managed to force the military to withdraw from Gwangju. The city became a symbol of resistance, isolated and besieged for several days, until a final, devastating assault by the military would squash these hopes.

The film captures the confusion that reigned around these events, as the rest of the population was left in the dark about what was going on in Gwangju. The narrative of this film follows a German journalist, one of the first to report on the events in Gwangju, with the help of a Korean taxi driver. As the two navigate the city, we are offered with a gripping account of the guerrilla warfare that took place. Despite some dramatization, the film serves as a powerful and emotionally resonant recreation of a pivotal moment in Korea's modern history, shedding light on a chapter that was heavily censored and, for a time, hidden from the world.

The Attorney (2013) by Yang Woo-suk

In the turbulent era of Chun's presidency, The Attorney provides a riveting account of the government's crackdown on militant student associations. Chun exploits the National Security Act to detain young activists, with a notable case in 1981 involving a literature club. The film zeroes in on the courtroom battle led by a modest lawyer defending the accused against overwhelming odds, the prosecutors being allowed to do anything it takes to win. This pivotal case would shape the real-life counterpart of the lawyer, Roh Moo-hyun, into one of Korea's staunchest human rights advocates, who would ascend to the presidency two decades later.

Director Yang Woo-suk's debut film not only masterfully captures this legal confrontation but also resonated with audiences, drawing over 10 million spectators. The Attorney stands as an accurate depiction of the obstacles put in the way of individuals who dared to rise against authoritarianism, leaving an indelible mark on Korea's pursuit of justice.

National Security (2012) by Chung Ji-young

National Security delves into the darkest depths of Chun's regime, offering a chilling portrayal of the methods employed to extract false confessions from activists. The film meticulously details the 23 days of brutal interrogation endured by democracy activist group leader Kim Geun-tae (again portrayed in the film under a slightly altered name) within the walls of the KCIA building. This harrowing narrative isn't for the faint of heart, but it unveils the extreme measures the regime employed to suppress opposition and maintain its grip on power, providing an unflinching look at the brutality of the era.

1987: When the Day Comes (2017) by Jang Joon-hwan

This title emerges as the culmination of popular anger and the yearning for reform that reached a boiling point. In response to the death of a student activist during torture in early January 1987 and subsequent attempts to cover it up, the public erupted in mass protests. Unlike previous movements, this wave of demonstrations saw broad participation from the general public, transcending the boundaries of activists and students. 

With its fictive characters representing various segments of society, 1987: When the Day Comes underscores the diverse yet united front against authoritarian rule. It celebrates the democratic uprising by highlighting the collective efforts that led to the first free elections and the end of Chun's authoritarian regime. With this film, Director Jang Joon-hwan managed to effectively convey a powerful reminder that, in the face of adversity, the people's united voice can bring about transformative change.