Ran 12.3: A Gripping Documentary on South Korea's Martial Law Night
Contents Panda has acquired the global distribution rights for the documentary film Ran 12.3, directed by Lee Myung-se. The film depicts the tumultuous night in 2024 when martial law was declared in South Korea, surpassing Hollywood blockbuster The Devil Wears Prada 2 in presales. This marks the first political documentary to lead the country's presales chart since Kim Ji-young's Intention in 2018. Ran 12.3 will be presented to international buyers at the Cannes market in May.
The documentary captures the events of December 3, 2024, when then-president Yoon Suk-yeol announced emergency martial law in a televised address, citing "anti-state forces" and the North Korean threat. The declaration led to the prohibition of political activities, media censorship by the military, and a heavy police presence at the National Assembly in Seoul. Citizens protested against the martial law, lawmakers barricaded themselves in the assembly building, and special forces were deployed by helicopters. The lawmakers voted to lift the declaration at 1:01am, leading to Yoon's impeachment and subsequent life imprisonment.
Ran 12.3 presents the night's events in chronological order through videos, photographs, and records provided by citizens and lawmakers. The documentary avoids narration and interviews, relying on raw footage and stylised drawings by Lee Kang-hoon to illustrate key moments. The score is composed by Cho Sung-woo, enhancing the film's intensity. Director Lee Myung-se, known for his previous works in crime thrillers and martial arts films, ventures into the documentary genre with Ran 12.3, capturing the chaos and turmoil of the night.
In December 2025, a crowdfunding campaign organized by Wag the Dog exceeded its target, raising $675,000 from 15,000 contributors to support the film's post-production. Produced by Production M and distributed locally by NEW, Ran 12.3 debuted in second place at the box office, following the horror sensation Salmokji: Whispering Water. The documentary has garnered significant attention for its gripping portrayal of a pivotal moment in South Korea's history.
In conclusion, Ran 12.3 offers a compelling and immersive look at the night of martial law declaration in South Korea, showcasing the power of citizen-provided footage and raw storytelling. Director Lee Myung-se's foray into the documentary genre has been met with critical acclaim, setting a new standard for political documentaries in the country.