This heart-wrenching story is sadder because it is history. The violence from military to citizens was unbelievably cruel, 'May 18' documents that violence rather than running away from it. Thus, some parts are hard to watch not only because of physical violence but also because of emotional stress and resentment coming from injustice. However, the director balances that stress with humorous scenes and comical acting. Also, clear contrast between the battle and people's ordinary lives dramatizes and emphasizes affliction, tragedy, and absurdity of May 18 Democracy Movement.

The most eeriest sequence of the film is when the national anthem is played through speakers. The moment of peace when citizens sing along lasts fleetingly. Then, you hear the sound of bombardment, bullets touching the ground, and screaming with the national anthem in the background. Historically, the shooting really started with the cue of the national anthem. I knew the facts, but witnessing with my own eyes and ears is one of the creepiest experiences. I also love the ending. Sin-ae is the one who survived and the one who cannot smile in the imaginary wedding. This picture shows the sorrow of the living very intelligently and metaphorically.

Lovers of history and film are often disappointed when a movie is "based on actual events." Based on a 1980 democratization protest in Gwangju Korea, Hwaryeohan hyuga (May 18) fails to depict anything more than military abuse of power. Prior to seeing the film at the Hawaii International Film Festival, I was unaware of the massacre. I enjoy Korean television dramas and found this almost as entertaining, though in a movie-of-the-week fashion. Characters and actions depicted in the movie seem artificial and the filmmaker seemed afraid to depict any political view other than love for Korea and Gwangju. The many fans of Jun-gi Lee on hand for the screening were probably mollified by his presence. While I feel the film trivializes the sacrifices made by citizens to advance democracy in Korea, it motivated me to learn more about Gwangju.