1987: When The Day Comes (2017)

What is TRUE PATRIOTISM?

The influence the PRESS wields exhibits the tenacity that TRUTH and JUSTICE might TRIUMPH in a civil society. The film reminded me of The Pentagon Papers (2003) about the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Seismic social changes do not come about immediately as negative sentiment must first build throughout the years, and citizens grow agitated by their public officials.

Brief History

Korean History 101, Democracy embedded itself in South Korea culture years before Park Chung-hee assassination occurred on October 26, 1979, rejuvenating the democratic movements in South Korea, silenced initially under Park's Dictatorship regime. May 18, 1980, Gwangju Uprising was the beginning of a more unpopular oppressive military regime under Chun Doo-hwan leading up to the June 1987 Democratic Movement changing the fate of a Nation's political landscape.
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Director Jang Joon Hwan's documentary touch paints the perfect image of South Korea, the repression of civil discord within the year 1987. The viewer concentrates on watching the film conveying a story with a palpable tempo, to pull it off with suspense, to appeal to emotion, and to entertain. It is a film that wept tears of human horror, moved by the courage of those who pursue the truth. Most people will wallow in this film, but few people will rebuff it and say it is biased.


With the word "Communist" by a single word, the whole state persecutes ordinary people. On the contrary, the same persecution was happening in a socialist country. When a nation uses its "enemies" to inflame its people, it is better to be careful before the persecution. Jang Joon Hwan's micromanaged the word "Conscience" introspectively. What is TRUE PATRIOTISM?


In my book, Kim Yoon Seok pitches in an Oscar-worthy performance with his cold-eyed gaze. In the first encounter with KYS's character, the audience perceives the warped and distorted view of PATRIOTISM through his mindset. Ha Jung Woo's role may not have had the screentime he merited, but what an energetic rendition of a Prosecutor's unwillingness to bend to his Superiors wishes.


Kim Tae Ri depicting a university student swallowed up in the Democratic Revolution contributed to the turbulent climate of the period. Lee Hee Joon's portrayal of Reporter Yoon furnishes tenacious energy to his purpose ductile like iron. It is such a story that the audience thinks of the nameless predecessors who fought to protect the rights of the people who are today, as most actors depict fictional characters. All the actors do a marvelous job except I would have liked to see more from the people's side. The one complaint I have about this film the music and shouting sometimes drown out the dialogue between the actors. Other than that, unheralded film.


South Korea attained what the 1989 Tiananmen Square protesters could not Democracy with free and fair Presidential Elections not favored for one party or one candidate. Corruption will exist in politics for eternity, but the right to choose your elected officials' and hold them accountable is a blessing. The tyranny of the regime silently; it becomes a problematic situation.


I think back on the 2016-2017 Candlelight Revolution Movement against the unpopular President Park Geun-Hye (2013-2017), the daughter of dictator Park Chung-hee, eventually impeached for the corruption of bribery sentenced to 25 years in prison. Democratic values have wavered, but Standing Up for Truth and Justice has not fluctuated since 1987.


Final Rating: 8.59/10
Acting: 9.60/10
Story: 8.98/10

Rewatch Value:
I have watched this film three times, so it is rewatchable for anyone able to stomach the subject matter - based on True events.

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A captivating and moving movie about the modern history of the South Korean democracy movement. Difficult to comprehend that this movie is not fictional, and that most of sequenced events in this film happened in real life. I was initially told to watch this from my Korean history teacher in university, but I took interest in it myself. As an Eastern European, I have learned that the pro-democracy movements in the 1980s were based on sacrifice and the will of the people not only in Korea, but the rest of the world at specific decade as well. The actors have portrayed true emotions, and there were so many storylines of various characters intertwined with harmony. Even as someone not Korean, it was very easy to follow the storyline and to see what the good and evil were. Every minor detail, from set design to props, had mesmerised me. I did shed a few tears, but this was a great learning experience, and a very interesting movie to watch!

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''Not being able to speak at all. That is hell''

''1987'' is an excellent movie that makes you feel angry and frustrated most of the time. It shows the cruel world we live in and how trashy politics can be. After I finished it, I informed myself about the June Struggle and it's insane how well ''1987'' shows what really happened.

The movie is definitely more of a slow-paced one and it is kind of complicated because there are qiute a lot of characters. But because the events were explained very well and the storytelling was nice, it was not hard to follow and you don't really get bored. I wholeheartedly enjoyed each moment of it, the dialogues were written very well and the cinematography was out of this world. It's my first time seeing a movie by Director Jang Joon Hwan but I must say I'm very impressed. The cast was also brilliant!

The ending was breathtaking. Honestly, one of the best movie endings ever. Very sad, very emotional and meaningful. Definitely the best moment of the movie.

The only problem I had with this movie is actually very simple, but it bugs me. Every sound was so loud while the characters' voices were too quiet. I contstantly had to adjust the volume and it made my watching quite unpleasant.

So overall, the ''1987'' is very powerful movie that won't be easy to forget. The feeling you get from will be hard to get erased.

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Remember 1987

This movie is based on actual events called June Democratic Uprising in Korea which happened in 1987.

It all started when a college student was tortured and killed by anti-communist group and they tried to conceal his death.

I love how the director was able to tell the story through different people, starting from the prosecutor who demanded autopsy, to jail guard who passed on info to the opposition, the reporter who tried to reveal the truth to the public, and to the students who bravely rallied against the government.

Not for the faint hearted. It’s moving, horrifying and inspiring. The extra romance between the two college students slightly felt out of place but the end made up for it.

Rating: 8.5

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