12.12: The Day (2023) Review

The saying “history repeats itself” rings truer in 2025 than ever before. On December 3, 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law for the first time since 1980. This single action sent shockwaves throughout the country as, in the blink of an eye, a democratic nation nearly descended into authoritarianism. Fortunately, thanks to the determination of lawmakers, martial law was lifted. The fallout from these events is still unfolding even now.

As mentioned earlier, the last time martial law was enacted was under President Chun Doo-hwan in 1980. Chun Doo-hwan is one of the central figures in the gripping film 12.12: The Day, which revolves around the December 12th Coup of 1979. The film follows Chun Doo-hwan (Hwang Jung-min) and his private group of military officers, the Hanahoe, as they plot to stage a coup on December 12th. Meanwhile, Lee Tae-shin (Jung Woo-sung) and another group of generals must do everything in their power to stop Chun Doo-hwan from seizing control.

12.12: The Day was released on November 22, 2023, in South Korea, and its portrayal of the past eerily mirrors events in the present. It’s impossible not to draw comparisons to what unfolded in 2024. The film will make your skin crawl as it starkly depicts how swiftly right-wing ideology can rise and take hold. Yet, when the superimposed text appears on screen, announcing it’s December 12th, the film shifts gears and becomes a full-blown, edge-of-your-seat thriller.

Over the course of the night, we witness Chun Doo-hwan deploying his loyal generals to redirect divisions from the border toward Seoul, creating an enthralling narrative. Meanwhile, Lee Tae-shin’s efforts to counter these maneuvers add incredible depth to the story. A standout scene, in which convoys are delayed by closing all the bridges, is brimming with suspense and stands out as a true highlight of the film.

At its core, 12.12: The Day is about fighting for what is right, even when the odds are overwhelmingly against you. The message is clear: if we fail to resist and simply give in, evil will prevail. Several characters believe that by negotiating with Chun, they can reach some sort of “gentlemen’s agreement” and that the coup will blow over. However, history teaches us that when evil men have a goal in mind, they will stop at nothing to achieve it. As Chun chillingly states, “If we fail, it’s treason. If we succeed, it’s revolution.”

Hwang Jung-min delivers a captivating performance as Chun Doo-hwan. Charismatically sinister, every line of his dialogue is both haunting and audacious. It’s easy to see why people pledged loyalty to him, much like other real-life right-wing political leaders. He says what people want to hear and surrounds himself with others who hunger for power. Opposite him, Jung Woo-sung is equally outstanding as Lee Tae-shin, the steadfast counterforce to Chun. Lee’s precise commands and willingness to put himself in the line of danger are nothing short of heroic. His narrative arc, contrasting sharply with Chun’s, is profoundly moving as the people around him abandon the fight for democracy. Watching this unravel is both harrowing and powerful.

The only notable flaw in 12.12: The Day is its slower-paced opening. The first 20 minutes, dedicated to setting up the players in this tense game, lack the kinetic energy that drives the remaining two hours.

While the film’s chances of being nominated for Best International Film at the 97th Oscars are slim, 12.12: The Day remains a masterful, politically charged thriller that will captivate you until the very end.