Director Kim Sung-soo Reflects on Success of '12.12: The Day' Amid Political Unrest

▲ This photo provided by Plus M Entertainment shows a scene from "12.12: The Day." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Dec. 18 (Yonhap) -- Director Kim Sung-soo shared that he realized the reasons behind the success of his film 12.12: The Day (released as Seoul’s Spring) after witnessing the December 3 martial law crisis.

During the 11th Korean Film Producers Association Awards held in Seoul on December 17, Kim received the Best Director Award for the film. In his acceptance speech, he remarked, "Watching the president attempt an absurd self-serving coup, citizens running to the National Assembly, and young people across the country supporting impeachment resolutions, I understood why audiences resonated so strongly with this film."

Reflecting on recent political events, including rallies calling for President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment, Kim noted, "Today's youth hold a clear sense of justice. It’s inspiring yet daunting to consider how to communicate and tell stories to such a remarkable audience in this new era."

▲ This photo provided by Plus M Entertainment shows a scene from "12.12: The Day." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

12.12: The Day, inspired by the 12.12 military coup, portrays the power struggle between the fictionalized Security Commander Jeon Do-kwang (played by Hwang Jung-min) and Capital Defense Commander Lee Tae-shin (played by Jung Woo-sung), who attempts to thwart the rebellion. The film, released in November last year, attracted over 13 million viewers.

Amid ongoing political turmoil, the movie has regained attention, experiencing a resurgence on IPTV and streaming platforms. Social media platforms have also seen a proliferation of related memes and parodies, highlighting its cultural impact in the current climate.

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