Director Lee Myung-se on Documentary 'Ran 12.3'

Director Lee Myung-se's documentary 'Ran 12.3' is generating buzz, having secured the number one spot in overall advance ticket sales two days before its release. According to the Korean Film Council's integrated network, as of 7 AM on April 20th, it recorded an advance ticket reservation rate of 16.3% (34,248 tickets). This marks the first time a documentary dealing with social issues has topped the overall advance ticket sales chart since 'The Day, The Sea' in 2018, a span of 8 years.

'Ran 12.3' is a film by director Lee Myung-se, known for 'Nowhere to Hide' and 'Duelist,' that captures the breathtaking on-site record of citizens and politicians heading to the National Assembly following the declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024, with his unique aesthetic. Director Lee described the film as "​a record of emotions overcoming fear and anxiety" and stated, "​Just as '12.12: The Day of the Outbreak' is not a film for a specific faction, 'Ran 12.3' is a work where citizens are the protagonists," urging viewers to "​please see it as a hopeful version of '12.12: The Day of the Outbreak'."

The film chronicles the urgent on-site records of citizens who took to the streets to protect democracy during the declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024. Director Lee Myung-se presents an original cinematic technique, reconstructing the atmosphere of that day solely through sensory visuals and intricate sound, without interviews or narration, delivering a vivid sense of presence. Audiences who experienced the film through advance screenings highly praised it, calling it "​a diary that most stylishly records how we protected democracy" and "​a film that highlights director Lee Myung-se's unique stylish direction."

The strong interest in the film also extends to the 'No Mercy GV' event featuring actor Park Joong-hoon and director Lee Myung-se, with tickets for the event, scheduled for the 27th at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul, selling out immediately after sales opened.

Director Lee Myung-se explained his directorial approach for 'Ran 12.3' as the 'Dramatize' technique, stating, "​It is a documentary in that it is absolutely based on facts, but through direction, I wanted to fully incorporate emotions such as the anxiety and fear of the night of the martial law declaration." He also mentioned the film's editing principles as C (Cinematic), E (Emotional), D (Dramatic), and H (Humor), adding, "Cinematic means the visuals must be intuitive enough for anyone to understand; Emotional refers to lyricism; Dramatic means portraying reality like a drama; and we included hidden humor within that reality."