Event

The Seoul Guardians

Location
National Museum of Asian Art
–
Free
Lectures & Discussions, Films
View Event Details

Joie Chen, an Emmy-winning anchor and correspondent formerly of CNN, Al Jazeera, and CBS News will join directors Kim Jong-woo, Kim Shin-wan, and Cho Chul-young for an onstage conversation after the screening. 

Watch the Trailer

On the night of December 3, 2024, then-president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in Korea. He banned all political activities and public assemblies and sent troops to the National Assembly building to seize control.

The Seoul Guardians plunges you into the political chaos of that night, with codirecting by three journalists who were there. Lawmakers rush to pass a bill ending martial law as ordinary citizens band together to hold off the soldiers sent to take the building. The winner of multiple film festival awards, this stirring documentary resonates with audiences around the world with its message that democracy is fragile and must be defended.

Directors: Kim Jong-woo, Kim Shin-wan, and Cho Chul-young. Country: Korea. Released: 2026. Length: 70 min. Format: DCP. Language: Korean with English subtitles.
Image courtesy of Asian Shadows

On View At

Side-by-side view of the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, each with banners at the entrance and surrounded by greenery
National Museum of Asian Art
The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art is made up of two buildings—the West Building (Freer Gallery of Art) and the adjoining East Building (Arthur M. Sackler Gallery).
Washington, DC
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily
Museum