Various options ranging from human documentaries to spectacular genre films dealing with historical events

This winter, Korean theaters are filled with films that capture the extraordinary lives of ordinary people and depict real historical events. Through true story-based films, audiences can enjoy both yesterday and today of Korea. Among the films released in November and those scheduled for December, a total of six movies are based on real individuals or events. There are various options ranging from humanistic documentaries to spectacular genre films dealing with historical events.

Stories of Ordinary People Which Are Comforting and Inspiring

Promise, which was first released at the documentary showcase of the 28th Busan International Film Festival this year, was released on November 1. It is a private documentary about his family history of director Min Byung-hun, who has been making a trilogy of films about life and promise after winning the grand prize at the Torino International Film Festival with his debut film, Flight of the Bee (1998). The director included a beautiful poem written by his son Si-woo about his longing for his mother who passed away. The father, also the director, tenderly cares for his grieving son, offering solace with the scenery of Jeju Island. Si-woo gained recognition as the "Jeju Boy Who Writes Poetry" through his appearance on the TV program You Quiz on the Block (tvN).

Released on November 15, A Man Who Heals the City and Under the Zelkova are human documentaries featuring individuals who steadfastly uphold their beliefs. A Man Who Heals the City highlights on Kim Jang-ha, a Korean medicine doctor who has returned all of his assets worth tens of billions of won and has never granted any interviews. The film aims to provide a glimpse of an admirable adult without his interviews or summaries of his life, respecting his request not to idolize him. Under the Zelkova is a new documentary directed by Oh Jung-hun, who directed Rice Flower (2017), an observation film for four seasons of eco-friendly rice farming. This time, the new documentary captures the workplaces of various farmers who protect the seeds of Korea's own variety.  

On December 20, the documentary Crescendo, capturing the live performance of the musical prodigy pianist Lim Yoon-chan, will be released. The film includes scenes from the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, interviews with promising musicians from around the world, and the story of Lim Yoon-chan, who achieved the youngest-ever victory at the age of 18. It is an extended director's cut version with an additional 15 minutes, first screened at the 19th Jecheon International Music Film Festival.  

Epic Films Depicting Korean History: 12.12: THE DAY and Noryang: Deadly Sea

Genre films featuring top Korean actors deal with historical events in Korea. 12:12: The Day starring Hwang Jung-min and Jung Woo-sung, is the fastest-growing box office hit released in November. The film portrays the tense 9-hour battle that took place in the heart of Seoul on December 12, 1979, involving the Hanahoe organization led by Jeon Du-kwang (Hwang Jung-min), the instigator of a rebellion, and the forces led by the Capital Defense Command Chief Lee Tae-shin (Jung Woo-sung).

Scheduled for release on December 20, Noryang: Deadly Sea is the final installment of the Admiral Yi Sun-shin trilogy, following Roaring Currents (2014) and Hansan: Rising Dragon (2022). It is a war action masterpiece about Admiral Yi Sun-shin (Kim Yoon-seok)'s final battle to completely annihilate Japanese forces trying to retreat from Joseon in December 1598, seven years after the outbreak of the Japanese Invasion of Korea. Kim Yun-seok takes on the role of Admiral Yi Sun-shin following performances by Choi Min-shik and Park Hae-il in the previous films.

By Chae Sora