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Korean Culture in
Films
Korean Culture in
Films
Dr. Andrew Finch
The Stray Bullet (1961)
Stray Bullet) is set in the post-Korean War shambles of
Seoul, which the film makes no attempt to gloss over or
disguise. There are as many wrecked buildings as there
are construction sites, and the poorest live cheek-by-jowl
in 2-families-to-a-room shantytowns.
The Stray Bullet (1961)
The bleakness is so overwhelming it’s no wonder the film
was initially banned in South Korea. Because the
characters are so specifically developed and handled, they
aren’t just stock figures of pity, and the director, Hyun-mok
Yoo, handles them in ways that are revelatory.
Why Dharma Left for the East (1989)
The title refers to a Zen riddle for
which there is no answer. Noted
painter Bae Yong-kyun spent
several years devoted to carefully
and lovingly creating this
challenging, meditative and
exquisitely photographed film.
Why Dharma Left for the East (1989)
A young man who aspires to a life of enlightenment, leaves
his family in the city and travels to a remote mountain
hermitage to study under an aged Zen Master whose days
are numbered. The master lives alone with a small orphan
boy who he has brought to the monastery to raise as a
monk.
Why Dharma Left for the East (1989)
In the seclusion of this mountain monastery, the master
and his pupils seek enlightenment by losing themselves in
the quiet contemplation of death - perhaps the closest
cinema has come to conveying serenity and a sense of
detachment.
Clip
Black Republic (1990)
A young man named Kim comes to look for work in a bleak coal-mining town in dead winter. Against all odds, Kim finds a job, falls in love, and glimpses a better life--until his political past as a student is discovered. A quietly stirring film about social hypocrisy.
Black Republic (1990)
Although the story is simple, the film has exciting cinematography and excellent editing. It deals with the lives of young men living in the early 80s.
Shown at the 1996 Human Rights Watch Festival
Seopyunje (1993)
Director Im Kwon-Taek
Bosong is the home of Pansori (traditional Korean narrative
song). The great Pansori singer Park Yu-jon, born in
Sunch'ang, came to Bosong and perfected Seopyonje. Pak
Yu-jon elevated the status of Seopyonje in the Pansori
music world by creating a sorrowful melody using
Dongpyonje as a foundation.
Seopyunje (1993) It was a notable accomplishment of a man ahead of his
time, able to create a sound that contained the feelings of his southern people.
In the Bosong Park in Bosong-up, there is a Pansori song monument in honor of Park Yu-jon, and in Togang Village, there is a Pansori Park.
Clip
Chukje (1996)
Director Im Kwon-Taek Jun-Sub Lee, a famous writer in his
early 40's, receives a call that his elderly mother has just passed away. This complicates his already hectic life as he hurriedly cancels all appointments, writes the obituary, and makes preparations for the funeral service.
Chukje (1996)
Soon after his arrival in his hometown, the three-day funeral ceremony begins. The preparations especially remind Jun Sub's sister-in-law, Wedongdaek, of every hardship she had undergone waiting upon her ill mother-in-law. In fact, it appears that the death of the eighty seven year old matriarch, who had suffered from dementia for the last five years of her life, makes few people sad, and some even seem to feel that her passing was fortunate.
Chukje (1996)
Chukje (1996)
Chukje (1996)
Chukje (1996)
Chukje (1996)
Chukje (1996)
Chukje (1996)
Chukje (1996)
Chukje (1996)
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Chunhyang (1999)
Directed by Im Kwon-taek and starring Lee Hyo-jeong and Jo Seung-woo.
The movie is told through pansori, a traditional Korean form of storytelling that seeks to narrate through song.
The film is based on a traditional Korean legend and is set in 18th century Korea.
Chunhyang (1999)
In addition to the Romeo-and-Julietesque tale, Chunhyang sheds light on the realities of premodern Korea. Chunyang explores the harsh differences in living between the yangban (nobles by birthright) and non-yangban, and the realities of morally corrupt officials and yes-men functionaries.
Chunhyang (1999)
Chunhyang (1999)
Chunhyang (1999)
Chunhyang (1999)
Chunhyang (1999)
Chunhyang (1999)
Chunhyang (1999)
Chunhyang (1999)
Chunhyang (1999)
Chunhyang (1999)
Chunhyang (1999)
Chunhyang (1999)
Chunhyang (1999)
Chunhyang (1999)
Chunhyang (1999)
The Way Home (2002) The Way Home ( 집 으 로)
was written and directed by Lee Jeong-hyang.
It was the second-highest grossing local film in South Korea in 2002.
The Way Home (2002)
The Way Home (2002)
The Way Home (2002)
The Way Home (2002)
The Way Home (2002)
The Way Home (2002)
The Way Home (2002)
The Way Home (2002)
Links
KNTO Website – links about Korean Culture
http://english.tour2korea.com/index.asp
Korea Film Archive (KOFA)
http://www.koreafilm.org/main/main.asp
Dr. Finch: [email protected] www.finchpark.com
