Introduction to Seoul's spring films and history, acting, and directing content

The Spring of Seoul, a reflection of our times, was recently released. It is a historical film about the Dec. 12 military revolt, starring and directed by Kim Sung-soo, famous actors from Chungmuro such as Hwang Jung-min, Jung Woo-sung, Lee Sung-min, Park Hae-joon, and Kim Sung-kyun. It was released on Nov. 22 and topped the box office.

 

1. Let's take a look at the simple plot and characters of Seoul's spring.

 

The film is set in the 12.12 Military Rebellion, which was initiated by a private organization in the military to take control of the military after the death of former President Park Chung-hee on Oct. 26, 1979. The film follows a nine-hour period from 7 p.m. on Dec. 12 to 4 a.m. the following day, when the insurrection took place. The film uses fictitious names for commanders of rebels and rioters.

 

The main character of the film is Chun Doo-kwang, a commander of the Armed Forces Security Command and the head of the Joint Investigation Division of the martial law command, played by Hwang Jung-min. Chun Doo-kwang is the head of the Hanahoe Association, who seeks to lead a military revolt and usurp the presidency. He plans and practices the rebellion with a commander of the 9th Infantry Division named Roh Tae-gun.

 

The role of Roh is played by Park Hae-joon. The movie's half-heroine is a capital security commander named Lee Tae-shin, played by Jung Woo-sung. Lee Tae-shin is a subordinate of the army chief of staff and martial law commander named Jeong Sang-ho, who tries to fight against the rebels until the end. He stops and suppresses the rebellion with a military police officer at the army headquarters named Kim Jun-yeop. Kim Jun-yeop is played by Kim Sung-kyun.

 

2. the historical realism and authenticity of a film

 

The film is set in the 12.12 Military Rebellion, which began on Oct. 26, 1979, after the death of former President Park Chung-hee, by a private organization in the military to take control of the military. The film is about a nine-hour period from 7 p.m. on Dec. 12, when the insurrection took place, to 4 a.m. the following day. In the film, the names of commanders of rebels and rioters were changed into fictional names. But their actions and characters were expressed very similarly to real historical figures. The film tried to reproduce historical facts as much as possible based on records and data from the National Archives, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Armed Forces Security Command. In addition, details such as clothes, weapons, vehicles, and places were accurately reproduced to revive the atmosphere and situation at the time. This film shows director Kim Sung-soo's sense of historical responsibility and sincerity to reveal the truth of the December 12th Military Rebellion, which had not been made public for 40 years.

 

3. the acting and directing skills of a movie

 

The film stars famous Chungmuro actors such as Hwang Jung-min, Jung Woo-sung, Lee Sung-min, Park Hae-joon, and Kim Sung-kyun, and is directed by Kim Sung-soo. They performed according to their respective roles, and in particular, Hwang Jung-min and Jung Woo-sung performed fiercely as commanders of opposing rebels and suppression forces. Hwang Jung-min, a commander of the Armed Forces Security Command and the head of the Joint Investigation Division of the Martial Law Command named Chun Doo-kwang, showed his ambition and desire for power to lead a military revolt and usurp the presidency. Jung Woo-sung, as the commander of the capital's security forces, named Lee Tae-shin, showed his will and a sense of justice to fight against the rebels until the end. They met face-to-face several times in the film, creating tension and heightened emotions. Kim Sung-soo skillfully used camera work and editing to make their performances better. In particular, the battle scenes between rebels and suppression forces used real guns and explosives to increase the sense of urgency. The film is a work that shines with Chungmuro's acting and directing abilities.

 

4. The Social Meaning and Value of Movies

 

The film is a historical film about the 12.12 military revolt, and it aims to convey the meaning and value that connects with the present society, not just to revive past events. The film condemns the abnormality and illegality of military coups through confrontation between rebels and supporters, and emphasizes the importance of democracy and the rule of law. In addition, the film seeks to honor the noble spirits of the veterans who sacrificed their lives for the safety and peace of the people through the sacrifices and tribulations of the supporters who fought against the rebels, and to restore their honor. The film is a work that faces the dark parts of our history, makes us reflect on the process we have gone through today's democratization and development, and reminds us of what values and principles we should observe in the future.

 

As mentioned above, I summarized three important things to watch when watching the movie 'Spring of Seoul' from the director's point of view. This movie is considered to be meaningful with historical reality and truth, acting and directing power, and social meaning and value. I hope that through this movie, we can reproduce important moments in our history, increase the identity and pride of our people, and think about the value and future of our democracy.