Default (2018) User Reviews

When a Tiger stumbles...

[BlissQuest · 8/10 · 27 November 2019]

If you are a global financial news/history enthusiast, then you'll enjoy this film. Though the film tends to oversimplify the actual events, it is still informative and entertaining. Very good production, good performances from key members of the cast, and well placed newsreels from the actual crisis give the film a realistic feel without coming across as a documentary.

A crisis in real time

[AliceSvankmajer · 7/10 · 23 November 2020]

Like a domino effect, we will see how economy falls and the disaster is coming. The goverment quickly despairs, the poor people are the more affected and MIF tries to apply truculent recipes. Great acting of Yoo Ah In and very well portrayed the sexism in politics.

interesting

[ops-52535 · 7/10 · 7 May 2020]

And new knowledge about south korean history, their 1997 financial crisis, a government pushing the economy down the loo and becomes bait for the imf and according to the film the usa.won they still have allthough ive seen its inflating tendencies, they couldnt take that away from them...

its a good film, very nice production quality and score, though a bit stretcehed out playtimewise, but its absolutely a recommend, by the grumpy old man

It's still happening to every country

[MovieIQTest · 8 January 2019]

This Korean film, "Default (2018)", is obviously adapted from the American film "Big Short (2015)", but the results are totally different between these two countries. Korea has become exactly like what we've seen in this film. This film got another title: National Bankruptcy Day (of Korea). When Korean government decided to borrow money from IMF, it has been enslaved to the stipulations of the IMF and not just the its government but the whole population is at the mercy of IMF. Judging from what America and the American government keep doing so far, I don't believe America is "too big to fail", because it's like a deadly cancer but it's a very slow and long process.

The leading female actress did a great job, a great natural talent.

2019-8-13

[aboiement · 7/10 · 6 October 2023]

This was so miserable. The Korean society discriminated women so bad. Politicians would only care about their benefit and right, couldn't see one who really cares about people's need. No wonder the father said to his son who was about to job hunting that do not trust anyone. Still felt this is a very unreal historical event even after watching this. Is there any big country or big organization too big to fail? I think before the fail moment came, there were already many small units fell apart. Each small unit supported many families and that means there were already many miserable stories happening.

Edge of your seat the entire movie! Wow

[mg23 · 10/10 · 21 March 2019]

Very well done, compelling movie, that challenges one to consider what is the roll of: financial policy, credit in an economy, labor policies, foreign investment, and about 10 other strong economic related motifs and crisis management amid a market collapse in the late 1990's.

The movie elegantly mixes in macro and micro story-lines so you consider/see a series of events unfolding at all levels, to consider the different sides.

It's well worth a watch if you enjoy econ/financial movies

a different perspective

[huck-9 · 4/10 · 2 January 2020]

A propaganda piece, probably effective in south korea. (as are many elsewhere, at local levels) multiple villains to choose from, but unsure whether blame is equal :

• corrupt politicians and giant chaebols
• IMF
• the U.S. pulling the IMF strings (for an economic annexation???)

the script attempts, and fails, in the explanation of the economic mechanisms. it ends on a note that the current situation, and every situation, is always bad or worse. (i always just assumed corrupt politicians and too much debt is bad, and bubbles eventually burst?) also not helping, as a watcher of many foreign films, i found the acting uniformly awful.

Illuminating story

[phd_travel · 10/10 · 6 March 2020]

Much broader in scope and better explained than the Hollywood financial crisis movies like The Big Short and Margin Call. Illuminating the role of the IMF in then Asian Financial Crisis and the cover up of the officials in the government. Touching plot line about the effect on a smaller business owners.

Interesting

[bubulac · 9/10 · 14 July 2020]

As an investor for over 30 years and one who was living in Asia at the time of the events I found it interesting. The movie reflects what happened not only in Korea at the time, but in many other countries, including my native Romania which became indebted to IMF at some point - I still recall the hardship and the draconian austerity imposed at the time. 9/10

Telling it as was done: power hubris destruction

[mor-99678 · 10/10 · 19 July 2019]

Similar to Dick Cheney story. Chilling precisely because the story is occurs in many places and because people most affected continue to drink kool aid. Excellent acting!!!