Seoul-ui bom

A whirlwind of events that happened during nine hours on some winter day, rushing through and to the ending that we already know for two-and-a-half hours. AND I could not take my eyes off for one second, and those two hours felt like a glimpse of a moment.

Chronologically perfect organization makes complicated events compact and clear. The plot is a spider web; everything is connected to everything, and there is no leap of logic from one event to another. At first, I was worried that all members of Hanahoe getting their moment would muddle the main narrative and obscure strong message. However, how it is executed from the director is just perfection: perfect structure and system. Moreover, because '12.12: The Day' extends the focus from Jeon Du-Hwan alone to Hanahoe, the message becomes stronger and more relevant. Villainizing one person is not enough; the problem lies deep in the rooted corrupt system. Jeon is gone, but Hanahoe in all kinds of forms still exist in today's society.

Hats off to how the director portrays the ending. Lee tae-shin is not described as a loser, but Jeon is as history would tell the story to the next generations.

Lighting plays an important role in the whole movie. 12.12 happens from 7pm to 4am next day. Lights at night from all kinds of sources like lamp posts, headlights from the tanks, old light bulbs in the old building, and even cigarette lights emanate a different atmosphere in different situations. Jeon hides from the light by turning off the lightbulb right when the most important conversation of his life is happening. Lee walks into the light with hundreds of searchlights pointing at him with utmost confidence and grace at the end.

The only weakness of '12. 12: The Day' is that I could not handle myself being outraged and suffocated so often that I had to check my blood pressure and to distance myself from the film from time to time.

*Jung Woo-sung finally meets THE one. His best performance, the best character that embodies actor Jung Woo-Sung. It is every Korean director's wish to portray the best version of Jung, and Kim Sung-soo achieved that goal.