Filmmaker behind hit coup flick speaks out over martial law attempt

By Kim Joo-heon Posted : December 18, 2024, 18:45 Updated : December 18, 2024, 18:53
Director Kim Sung-su speaks at this year's Busan International Film Festival in the southern port city, in this file photo from October 2024. Yonhap
SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) - Filmmaker Kim Sung-su, who directed last year's critically acclaimed film "12.12: The Day," has openly criticized President Yoon Suk Yeol over his abrupt declaration of martial law earlier this month, calling him "deranged."

The historical film, set against the backdrop of a military coup in South Korea in the late 1970s, depicts disgraced former president Chun Doo-hwan, who seized power in December 1979 following the assassination of former strongman Park Chung-hee.

Associating the film with Yoon's failed martial law attempt, Kim said, "About a year after the film's release, an absurd self-coup happened in real life by a deranged president."
 
The teaser poster of "12:12 The Day." Courtesy of PLUS M.
But at the same time, he expressed his admiration for citizens' swift response as they rushed to the National Assembly to stop Yoon's botched move, while also holding nationwide rallies to demand his ouster from power.

"I believe young people today are brave and actively voicing their views with a strong sense of justice," Kim said. "As a storyteller, I am excited to see their impact on society in this new era. I will work hard to create a great work that meets their expectations."

Just days before the National Assembly passed a motion to impeach Yoon last Saturday, Kim also joined other filmmakers in issuing a statement condemning Yoon's martial law attempt as "unconstitutional."

Kim also recalled his moment of "immense happiness" as the film went popular, despite his initial concerns about how it would be received.

Released in November last year, the film attracted over 10 million viewers in just a month of its release, with its cumulative number of moviegoers reaching 13.12 million.

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