Table of Contents
South Korea has officially selected the historical action film “12.12: The Day” as its entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2025 Oscars.
Directed by Kim Sung-su, the film is set against the turbulent backdrop of South Korea’s December 1979 military coup, a pivotal moment in the nation’s history.
Join our Telegram Channel for Updates
“12.12: The Day” was released in November 2023 and quickly became the highest-grossing film of the year in South Korea, amassing over $95 million from 13.1 million admissions, making it one of the most successful Korean films in recent years. The film was not only a box office hit but also received critical acclaim, winning the Grand Prize at the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards, along with awards for Best Picture and Best Actor for Hwang Jung-min’s portrayal of Chun Doo-hwan, a figure based on the real-life military leader who later became the president of Korea.
The film’s success at home was mirrored internationally, with the movie also performing well in the North American market, where it grossed over $1 million
The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) unanimously selected “12.12: The Day” as the country’s Oscars entry, citing the film’s compelling narrative, strong performances, and its insightful take on a critical period in Korean history. This selection marks another strong bid by South Korea to capture international recognition at the Academy Awards, following the country’s previous win with “Parasite” in 2020.
Looking forward, the producers of “12.12: The Day” are planning a sequel titled “YS Project,” which will focus on the disbandment of Hanahoe, the military organization behind the 1979 coup, further exploring this significant chapter in South Korean history.
