South Korean entertainment never fails audiences. And this week’s latest U.S. arrival, Emergency Declaration (Bisang Seoneon) is no exception. The film opened last week in Korea at the number one spot and is currently the fifth highest grossing Korean film of the year. I was fortunate enough to attend an early screening of the film this week.
The film’s primary protagonists are played by powerhouse actors Song Kang-ho (Parasite) and Lee Byung-hun (Squid Game and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra). These two stars are household names in Korea, so the brief list of recent works that have been distributed in English-speaking territories are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to their careers’ critical acclaim.
My most concise and spoiler-free synopsis of the film would be: the acts of a bioterrorist impacts the lives of the passengers and staff on board as well as their families on land and the public servants who must address a complicated situation with international impact.
Jeon Do-yeon, the lead actress of the film, plays the role of a government official in an admirable manner as she leads with compassion and strength.
Thinking about the various plot devices of this film, which include bioterrorism and aerial action, Emergency Declaration takes these familiar elements and presents them in a dynamically fresh way.
Despite the 147-minute running time, the film’s masterful pacing ensures the viewer never loses interest, especially as the story shifts to meet the growing danger that the characters face.
Be sure to catch Emergency Declaration in theaters starting August 12, 2022!
