Emergency Act 19
Year: 2002
Runtime: 107 mins
Language: Korean
Director: Kim Tae-gyu
Across the globe, famous musicians and rock stars begin winning top political offices—Paul McCartney runs for UK Prime Minister, Madonna is offered the U.S. vice‑presidency. Alarmed, Korea’s prime minister and army chief enact Emergency Order 19, a ban on all music. The satire is noted for its many pop‑culture cameo appearances.
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Emergency Act 19 (2002) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Read the complete plot breakdown of Emergency Act 19 (2002), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Troubled by the growing worldwide trend of pop singers being elected as politicians, the President of South Korea orders his Chief Secretary to invoke “Emergency Act 19”. The new law criminalizes all pop singers, and the army is deployed on the streets of Seoul to round them up. One pop star, Hong Kyung-min, is arrested during a concert, but his angry fans mob the soldiers as they try to take him away. The Chief Secretary’s teenage daughter, Min-ji, is among the fans, and leading her idol to safety gives him her phone number. Kyung-min finally makes a getaway with his friend and fellow pop star, Kim Jang-hoon.
Once Jang-hoon and Kyung-min become fully aware of the situation, they contact Min-ji, who is able to hide the two singers in a secret location. The Chief Secretary finds out that his daughter is working against him, and when she refuses to give them up he has false news reports created, accusing the singers of sexually assaulting minors. Meanwhile, more pop stars are rounded up by the authorities who are now aided by another singer, Ju Yeong-hun, who decides to betray his friends in order to save himself.
Angered by their tarnished reputations, Jang-hoon and Kyung-min acquire a gun from a shady weapons dealer, and with Min-ji’s help they are able to take the Chief Secretary and his staff hostage. They take their captives to the park, where Min-ji has organized a mass demonstration with her friends and other music fans. The army arrive on the scene and engage the demonstrators in conflict, finally capturing Jang-hoon and Kyung-min. The Chief Secretary is able to walk free in all the chaos, but he is appalled by the violence and orders the fighting to stop, convincing the President to repeal the emergency act and restoring peace.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:55
Explore Movie Threads
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Absurdist political satire like in Emergency Act 19
Movies where governments enact ridiculous laws leading to hilarious chaos.If you enjoyed the ridiculous premise of a music ban in 'Emergency Act 19', you'll like these movies. This section features similar satirical comedies where governments or authorities create absurd rules, leading to wild, chaotic, and hilarious consequences.
Emergency Act 19
2002
The Campaign
2012
Idiocracy
2006
The Dictator
2012
South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut
1999
The Naked Gun
2025
Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult
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Trailer Park Boys: Don’t Legalize It
2014
Special Correspondents
2016
Bananas
1971
Men at Work
1990
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
1988
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Superfast!
2015
Delta Farce
2007
Narrative Summary
Stories in this thread typically begin with a serious-sounding but ultimately silly political edict or social rule. The plot then unfolds as characters react to this overreach, often leading to a series of escalating comedic events, protests, or chases that mock the very system they're up against, culminating in a satisfying, often happy, resolution.
Why These Movies?
These movies are grouped together because they share a specific brand of humor: using satire to critique authority through absurdity. They blend a light tone with fast pacing and medium intensity, creating an energetic and defiant viewing experience that is more playful than stressful.
Movies with youthful rebellion energy like Emergency Act 19
Energetic stories of young people defiantly challenging oppressive rules.Fans of the defiant, energetic protest vibe in 'Emergency Act 19' will enjoy these films. This list features stories where youthful characters challenge oppressive systems, creating a fast-paced, rebellious, and ultimately uplifting cinematic experience similar to this Korean satire.
Narrative Summary
The narrative pattern involves a clear antagonist—an oppressive rule, law, or institution—that stifles creativity or freedom. The protagonists, representing youth and passion, organize a resistance. The story is driven by their energetic actions, such as protests, chases, or clever subversion, leading to a climax where their spirit triumphs over rigid authority.
Why These Movies?
These films are united by their core vibe: a rebellious, energetic, and youthful defiance against a system. They share a light emotional weight despite high-stakes scenarios, fast pacing that mirrors the characters' energy, and a tone that is more comedic or hopeful than grim.
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Emergency Act 19 Timeline
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Characters, Settings & Themes in Emergency Act 19
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