1987: When the Day Comes

1987: When the Day Comes directed by Jang Joon-hwan and written by Kim Kyung-chan is a well - meaning fictional attempt to tell the story of events leading up to the real life 1987 June Democratic Uprising in Korea. This was triggered by the death of a student protester during police interrogation which the authorities conspire to cover up. The movie starts well when focusing on the actions of the honest medical examiner and prosecutor who both are disinclined to look the other way and authorise a fake mock-up of the cause of death to cardiac arrest. However the story line flow falters when the narrative spreads outwards to include the perspectives of police, both good and bad, journalists trying to ascertain the facts of the case, other university students, prison guards, catholic priests, people on the street and established political authorities. There simply are too many characters involved on which to concentrate one's attention. Director Kim would have been well - advised to just focus on a few key personalities instead of casting his net so far and wide, albeit with the worthy aim of reflecting the general population's demand for democratic reform. The movie is successful though at depicting the fact that South Korea, barely a year before the 1988 Seoul Olympics was for all intensive purposes, a dictatorship, something many modern Westerners may fail to realise, aware only of the vibrant democracy that is the current Sixth Republic of South Korea. In a long roundabout fashion, 1987 does manage to reflect its genesis.

Authentic, real, stick to history. A bit too long.

Nine stars for bloody South Koreans, salute all bravery and integrity.

Are their stories all like this, when every government recalling its building? In China, from elementary school, we're educated that, at the last time of the last government, people couldn't stand oppression and autarchy, they called out and built a new country, bringing the spring to this land and the people of this land. Is similar history telled in every country? Is similar history telled in every time? Does the world become better and better, or this is just a cursed circle? When I was young, the blood always fires when listening the word, democracy. Dreaming to go to a country, in which people enjoy freedom and lawfulness. But do I really know what democracy means? English chose to leave the Europe, American chose Trump. They follow the law and democracy. But do they do the right things? The choice of the most people is the right choice? I were just told the democracy is right but didn't know why democracy is right. Yes, I have to admit that 1987 successfully describes a great political movement that I dreamed in my childhood. But my blood don't fire again. A movie, song, slogan or crowd can persuade common people, but they're not part of strict and real politics..

1987 could have been made any other year. That's my conclusion after watching this Korean movie. Police brutality, torturing, dictatorship, those are all things that are still happening now. Controlling the media is the first thing modern countries and governments want to do when in power. What is written will always be concidered as the truth, that's just how you control a population. In 1987 When The Day Comes, the press plays a major part in the revolution, in seeking justice. The story of this movie is captivating and interesting. There are a few points that don't make any sense at all and that's why I have to score it lower. I'm not going to spoil anything about the story so I won't say anything about what didn't make any sense to me. Koreans can make good movies, that's just a fact. This one could have been better though. But the message is clear and good, the acting was also good, if you keep in mind that there always is alot of shouting in Korean movies. The press might have saved their country but such a thing is probably never going to happen in Western countries as the governments there control the media. Personally I don't believe anything anymore that is written in the press and everybody should read it with a critical eye.

The story begins with a corpse, a student tortured to death by the anti-communist secret police. This should be another forgotten death, but there's a general sense of outrage and one after another, the officials whose paper trail would normally cover up the mess, refuse to cooperate. As the story snowballs, the lives of those involved, as well as the broader political situation, change significantly. A thrilling and moving film, well directed and acted, as well as informative for those of us who don't know much modern Korean history.

Although The CPC does a great job to connect with people in China,but what if the day really comes? Will Chinese have balls to perform like those Korean?

I'm Chinese,movie story happens everyday in china.

I only want to say that "It's same to CHINA". But, Korea maybe succeeded.

For the past decade, South Korea has steadily presented motion pictures based on real life figures and events in its modern history. May 18 (2007) and National Security (2012) were solid movies, well-intended and meaningful, but generally deemed too serious to reach a large audience. A Taxi Driver (2017) was a huge commercial success, grossing $88 mil/12 mil admissions in the domestic box office. Still, many regretted that the movie left something to be desired in terms of cinematic quality. And here at the end of the year that commemorates the 30 years of the June Democratic Uprising came a motion picture that delivers both an accurate account of history and ample entertainment value. Despite a complex plot with a large ensemble cast (K-movie fans will have a blast recognizing those faces!), the movie never loses its focus--not a single scene redundant or wasted. Opening with a death of a college student during a police interrogation, the movie spends the first half of its running time as a well-crafted political/crime thriller. Then more characters appear and more things happen...which all culminates in that fateful day in June 1987. To those that are not familiar with contemporary Korean history, the plot may seem contrived. But almost all speaking roles in this move are based on real life figures, with their motives and actions intact, which I believe makes the whole story even more astonishing. E. H. Carr defined that history is an unending dialogue between the past and present. I would say that this movie is a superb example of how a motion picture can facilitate such a dialogue. 10/10