▲ This photo provided by Plus M Entertainment shows a scene from "12.12: The Day." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Dec. 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korean historic film "12.12: The Day" showed a dramatic surge in viewership on IPTV platforms, with a reported increase of over 1,000% immediately after the martial law crisis on December 3.

 

According to the Korea Film Council's online screening data on Wednesday, the film recorded 1,150 views across IPTV services such as SK Btv, LG Uplus TV, and Genie TV on December 4 alone. This marks a significant leap from the 97 views on December 3, reflecting a 1,085% increase.

 

The film’s daily box office ranking also shot up, climbing from 23rd place on December 3 to 3rd place on December 4. Considering that top box office contenders include recent releases such as Veteran 2, Amazon Elixir, Urban Love Code, and Ordinary Family, the reentry of 12.12: The Day, a film released over a year ago, into the upper rankings is noteworthy.

 

The film’s momentum continued, with 1,000 views on December 5, 1,393 views on December 6, and 1,892 views on December 7. On Netflix, the movie dominated the "Top 10 Movies" chart for five consecutive days from December 6 to 10, surpassing new releases such as Pilot, Runaway, and I Hate Korea.

 

The sudden resurgence of 12.12: The Day is believed to be tied to President Yoon Suk-yeol’s declaration of martial law on December 3, which was rescinded the following day following a parliamentary resolution. The crisis sparked widespread discourse on social media, with posts drawing parallels between the recent events and the 12/12 military coup depicted in the film. Parody posters, memes, and calls for theatrical re-releases and TV broadcasts also proliferated online.

 

Directed by Kim Sung-soo, 12.12: The Day chronicles the tense nine-hour standoff between Security Commander Jeon Du-kwang (played by Hwang Jung-min), who stages a coup to seize power, and Capital Defense Commander Lee Tae-shin, who strives to thwart him.

 

Upon its initial release in November last year, the film gained traction among younger audiences, with viewers sharing photos of their spiking heart rates during screenings as part of a viral "Rage Challenge." The film ultimately attracted 13 million viewers in theaters.

 

This renewed attention to 12.12: The Day highlights the intersection of contemporary political events and cultural storytelling, cementing its relevance even beyond its initial release.

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