[Photo &] Emergency Martial Law film “Ran 12.3,” Lee Myung-se, “The strength of K-democracy— the world must see it” at a press preview event

Director Lee Myung-se returns to the screen with the ‘Emergency Martial Law’ documentary ‘Ran 12.3’

A standout visualist in the Korean film industry, director Lee Myung-se, has returned with the documentary ‘Ran 12.3’ about the emergency ‘Emergency Martial Law’ events on December 3, 2024. At the press screening held at CGV Yongsan iPark Mall in Seoul on the 7th, he defined the ordeal as ‘The Revolution of Light’, a phrase meaning that not a drop of blood was spilled during this incident. He unveiled a bold creative intent to imprint the noble values of ‘K-democracy’ and exemplary cases across the world. With the film releasing on the 22nd, nationwide attention is focused on the project.

A revolution in ‘cinematic documentary’ brought to life by citizens and ‘AI’

‘Ran 12.3’ boldly broke away from the conventional dull format centered on narration and interviews. By combining ‘animation’ and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies with on-the-ground video records directly provided by about 280 remarkable citizens, it pioneered a new genre called ‘cinematic documentary’. Bringing the previously unreal process of martial law preparation to life through cartoon-like techniques, it maximized dramatic tension so that even foreign audiences could be instantly drawn in.

‘Tension’ on December 3 recreated with ‘cartoon-like techniques’

In the gaze of director Lee Myung-se standing at the photo wall, a firm conviction is evident. He emphasized that beyond simply documenting an unprecedented crisis called ‘Emergency Martial Law’, he poured his full effort into ‘dramatizing’ reality itself. This is the most intuitive and artistic proof of how ‘democracy’ in the Republic of Korea overcame a crisis. The sharp, masterful perspective comes alive and breathes on the screen.

Music director Jo Sung-woo pours his ‘utmost passion’ into one of the 60-plus works

Music director Jo Sung-woo, the eternal cinematic companion of director Lee Myung-se, was responsible for the grand melodies of ‘Ran 12.3’. Among the many major credits totaling over 60 works, he took pride in the fact that he devoted the most work to this particular project. His music audibly recreated moments in front of the National Assembly—moments filled with urgency—while also carrying a sincere hope that this film will remain in history as a noble ‘record’ of Korean ‘democracy’.

The miracle of ‘1 billion won funding’ proven by ‘15,000 citizens’

Director Lee Myung-se and music director Jo Sung-woo are taking a pose together at the press preview of ‘Ran 12.3’. The true makers of this work, however, are none other than the citizens. Through crowd funding, more than 15,000 people participated and achieved an extraordinary miracle of exceeding the ‘1 billion won’ goal. The production team interpreted this as national support directed toward ‘democracy’, and fully reflected that heavy sense of ‘responsibility’ onto the screen.