Acclaimed director Bong Joon-ho recently shared his thoughts on the 12.3 Martial Law Incident, expressing his shock during an interview about his upcoming Hollywood film, Mickey 17.
Bong remarked, “The global perception of Korea is often tied to things like BTS and Squid Game. Suddenly encountering the word ‘martial law’ was surreal and disheartening. It made me wonder if our national reputation had taken an unintended hit.”
He continued, “Thankfully, we are overcoming it, and I believe our legal system will ultimately resolve things properly.”
Mickey 17, Bong’s first Hollywood film, is based on Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey 7. Set on an icy, distant planet, the story follows a cloned human, Mickey, who is repeatedly discarded and regenerated every time he dies on a dangerous colonization mission.
Starring Robert Pattinson in the titular role, Bong described the film as focusing less on the futuristic technology and more on the gritty, visceral lives of the laboring class. “Instead of showcasing advanced tech, I infused the story with the sweat and toil of the working class,” Bong explained.
The film is set to release in Korea on February 28.
Political Context
The 12.3 Martial Law Incident has been a topic of national concern, with ongoing constitutional debates. On January 21, President Yoon Suk-yeol attended his third impeachment trial before heading to a military hospital. The reason for his hospital visit remains unclear, but it occurred immediately after the trial’s conclusion.
As the trial continues to draw attention, Bong Joon-ho’s reflections serve as a poignant reminder of the intersection between culture, politics, and Korea’s global image.