The Night Before the Strike

The Night Before the Strike (Korean: 파업전야; RR: Paeob Jeonya) is a 1990 South Korean film that explores themes of working-class repression and labor activism. Directed by a collaborative team including Chang Yoon-Hyun, Eun Lee, Dong-hong Jang, and Jae-kyu Lee, the film serves as a significant cultural artifact of the period's social climate.

Production and Release

The film was released on March 28, 1990, with a runtime of 105 minutes. It gained notoriety due to the South Korean military government's attempts to suppress its public exhibition. Authorities notably deployed 1,800 riot police and military helicopters to raid a screening at JeonNam University to seize copies of the film. These actions inadvertently increased public awareness and triggered student demonstrations across the country.