Documentary to show the night citizens defeated martial law crisis

A poster for “Ran 12.3” / Courtesy of NEW

A documentary capturing the urgent and chaotic night of Dec. 3, 2024, when then-President Yoon Suk Yeol abruptly declared martial law, is set to premiere on April 22.

Titled "Ran 12.3," (tentatively titled in English), the documentary film focuses on the courageous citizens who rushed to the National Assembly to stand against armed military forces attempting to neutralize the nation's constitutional body.

The movie serves as a vivid record of how ordinary people took the lead in halting an illegal attempt to subvert democracy, its distribution company NEW said Friday.

The film, directed by Lee Myung-se, famous for his 1999 film, “Nowhere to Hide,” highlights the collective will of the public through an archive.

To reconstruct the events of that night, the production team utilized videos and photos provided by over 150 citizens, alongside records from 50 parliamentary offices and on-site reporting from journalists and YouTubers.

In "Ran 12.3," the director employs an experimental approach by avoiding traditional narration and interviews. Instead, the narrative is driven entirely by music and the raw, fragmented footage of the confrontation to create an immersive experience that pulls the audience into the crisis.

This collaborative spirit was further reflected in a successful crowdfunding campaign that reached 110 percent of its goal.

The title "Ran" carries deep historical significance, drawing inspiration from the "Nanjung Ilgi" (War Diary of Admiral Yi Sun-sin), which is designated as Korea's National Treasure No. 76.

The diary was written by Admiral Yi during the Japanese invasions of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) between 1592 and 1598. According to production company Wagthedog, the title was taken from the first character of the diary, "Ran," which literally translates to "war" or "turmoil."

Lee, who led this project, is a veteran filmmaker known for his distinctive visual style. He made his directorial debut in 1988 with the comedy, "Gagman," starring the legendary Ahn Sung-ki, who passed away last January.

After directing drama-focused films like the 1990 hit "My Love My Bride" and the 1993 romance "First Love," Lee underwent a significant stylistic shift with the 1999 action thriller "Nowhere to Hide." Starring Park Joong-hoon and Ahn, the film remains a landmark in Korean cinema for its stunning mise-en-scene and iconic climactic showdown.