[Focus] 'Seoul's Spring' Resembling Martial Law Crisis, Is the Director a Time Traveler from the Future?

'Prophecy' Born from Imagination?
Three Films Praised as Movie-Like Reality

Still from the movie 'Seoul's Spring'. Provided by Plus M Entertainment

After the declaration of martial law, the film Seoul Spring sparked reactions that it closely resembled real events, placing it at the center of public attention. Director Kim Seong-su's films have been noted for their similarity to reality three times now, following Flu (2013), which evoked memories of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Asura (2016), which stirred rumors related to the mayor of Seongnam. Due to the resemblance between reality and the characters and situations, there is a joking remark among the public that Director Kim might be a 'time traveler' from the future.

'Seoul Spring'?Spring in Yongsan, Winter in Seoul?

President Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law around 10:25 p.m. on the 3rd. Subsequently, armed soldiers and citizens confronted each other in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. When the gathered citizens tried to block the martial law troops from entering the National Assembly, the troops infiltrated the building by helicopter. Armored vehicles were also seen in front of the National Assembly.

Members of the National Assembly broke through police and martial law troops to gather inside the building. Senior lawmakers did not hesitate to climb over walls. The martial law troops broke the glass windows of the main National Assembly building and entered, while aides and citizens tried to block them. In this tense situation, at 12:47 a.m. on the 4th, a resolution demanding the lifting of martial law was passed unanimously by all 190 lawmakers. President Yoon lifted the martial law declaration around 4:27 a.m. that day.

In the early morning of the 4th, armed martial law troops are attempting to enter the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Seoul Spring, released in November last year, is a film depicting the December 12 military coup led by Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo. It portrays the military rebellion following the assassination of President Park Chung-hee on October 26, 1979, when martial law was declared and the new military forces led by Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo staged a coup. Jeon Du-gwang (Chun Doo-hwan) mobilizes soldiers to seize control of Seoul, deploying armored vehicles and tanks in places including Gwanghwamun to block opposition.

The situation after the recent martial law declaration was broadcast live in real time via social media, and online reactions described it as "a real-life version of the film Seoul Spring." Similar responses emerged in political circles, with Jo Guk, leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, stating on the 4th, "The situation caused by the military in Seoul Spring in 1980 has been reenacted in the 21st century," and calling the recent martial law a "failed coup instigated by President Yoon's loyal forces."

'Flu'?Essential Goods Run Out, Wearing Masks

Flu, released in 2013, gained attention for seemingly predicting the COVID-19 pandemic six years later in 2020. It depicts a scenario where a flu with a 100% fatality rate breaks out domestically. As the respiratory virus spreads, cities are locked down and infected individuals are quarantined in camps. The United States, which holds military operational control, orders indiscriminate firing in response to survivor uprisings.

People wearing masks struggle to survive. Essential goods quickly run out. Diagnostic kits appear to distinguish between infected and non-infected individuals, and scenes of quarantine life in the film drew comparisons to the COVID-19 pandemic situation at the time. Internationally, Flu was noted alongside the Hollywood film Contagion (2011) as a movie resembling the COVID-19 crisis.

Still from the movie 'Gamgi'. Provided by CJ Entertainment

Still from the movie 'Asura'. Provided by CJ Entertainment.

'Asura' Gains Popularity Amidst Repeated Allegations

Asura, released in 2016, is set in the suburban small city of Annam in the Seoul metropolitan area. It tells the story of a corrupt detective (Jung Woo-sung) who handles the dirty work for the corrupt mayor of Annam (Hwang Jung-min) in exchange for money, driven by vested interests and success. The narrative involves a relentless prosecutor Kim Cha-in (Kwak Do-won) and a former detective turned mayor’s henchman (Ju Ji-hoon), entangled in a vicious struggle.

Two years after its release, in August 2018, SBS investigative program Unanswered Questions claimed connections among organized crime groups, police, and politicians operating in Seongnam city. It raised suspicions linking the so-called Seongnam International Mafia organization with then-Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung and then-Seongnam Mayor Eun Soo-mi. Following this, reactions emerged comparing the film Asura to these events, leading to a resurgence in the film’s ranking on download sites.