Impact of Korean Division on South Korean Cinem
The Korean Peninsula’s division into North and South Korea has profoundly impacted the South Korean film industry. South Korea’s divide has offered fertile ground for South Korean filmmakers to explore national identity, conflict, and poverty issues. The Korean Peninsula’s division has had a wide range of effects on South Korean cinema.
First, the Korean War is a significant theme in South Korean films. From early propagandist films to contemporary thrillers and dramas, directors have skillfully used this theme throughout the history of cinema. The videos portray the difficulties faced by separated families as a result of the conflict, the viewpoints of soldiers on both sides of the border, and the strained inter-Korean relations. Considerable effort has been made to stimulate thought on the impact of the Korean conflict on people on both sides of the border.
South Korea’s film industry has played an essential part in instilling a sense of nationalistic pride. Films reflecting regular South Koreans’ daily problems and challenges have played an essential part in developing a collective sense of solidarity and brotherhood (Korean Film Council 00:02:50). Furthermore, they have played an essential role in internationalizing knowledge and comprehension of South Korean culture and ideas. The films in question have contributed to South Koreans’ sense of national pride and identity by drawing attention to the country’s unique cultural elements.
South Korean filmmakers have stepped up their attempts to compete with North Korean propaganda films. The competition has played an essential part in the global rise of South Korean film as a very stimulating and distinct business (Korean Film Council 00:03:41). To compete with their North Korean colleagues, South Korean filmmakers have resorted to new tactics, experimentation, and boundary-pushing undertakings. As a result of the abovementioned occurrence, the cinema industry constantly innovates and produces pieces that are aesthetically appealing and cognitively stimulating.
Promoting South Korean Film Globally
South Korea’s “quota system” requires that a certain percentage of all theatrically distributed films originate there. As a result of this system, South Korean films enjoy a strong home market (Korean Film Council 00:02:46). South Korean films have a much better chance of succeeding in this market than rival Hollywood blockbusters.
South Korean filmmakers develop more ambitious and risk-taking cinema works due to the quota system. Film festivals have substantially boosted South Korean cinema’s climb to international recognition. In recent years, South Korean films have achieved much success in the world’s biggest film festivals (Korean Film Council 00:03:49).
For the first time, the South Korean film Parasite won the Palme d’Or in 2019 (Lee 97). The film Parasite received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. It marked a watershed moment in South Korean cinema. The popularity of Parasite has raised the international profile of South Korean cinema. It demonstrated to the rest of the world that South Korean films can compete with the industry’s best.
Themes Explored in South Korean Cinema
South Korean cinema explores various issues, from interpersonal relationships within families to the consequences of social stratification on individuals and communities. Family dynamics and social stratification are two of these themes that fascinate and enlighten me. Many South Korean films deal with the family theme, frequently expressing it in a nuanced and complex way.
The power dynamics in a household are analyzed in “The Housemaid,” an excellent example. Its theme is how life experiences can impact relationships with those closest to them, especially an individual’s family (Kim 59). The film explores the taboo of forbidden love inside a family and the consequences of pursuing such a relationship.
South Korean films frequently address societal stratification issues. This problem is frequently explored through stories about people from various socioeconomic backgrounds. It compares and contrasts the lives of two clowns from very different social origins.
Family and Social Class Themes in Korean and Hollywood Films
Like Hollywood and other international films, South Korean films tackle family, relationships, and social status. Hollywood has made numerous comedies and tragedies concerning families and other human connections. The 2006 film “Little Miss Sunshine” exemplifies this genre. It tells the story of a dysfunctional family that takes their little daughter on a road trip to compete in a beauty pageant (Fowler 61). The film examines the dynamics and interactions between family members, shedding light on the advantages and disadvantages of these connections.
The Great Gatsby, a film based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, also examines class stratification. In this 1920s film, the affluent Jay Gatsby develops emotions for the working-class Daisy Buchanan. The film contrasts the upper and lower classes to examine the impact of class on interpersonal interactions and career aspirations. Furthermore, several South Korean films, notably the 2019 Cannes Film Festival winner “Parasite,” deal with issues inside families and communities (Lee 101). As depicted in the film, a low-income family will go to any length to improve their social standing, including attempting to defraud a wealthier family.
Summary
In conclusion, South Korean cinema has demonstrated that universal themes such as family, relationships, and social standing, such as poverty and wealth, are present in the lives of its audiences. Films from around the world, not only South Korean ones, tackle similar topics, demonstrating the universality of the human experience. South Korean films explore these themes to show the foreign audience the universality of film.
Works Cited
Fowler, Eden. “Considering Societal, Psychological and Geographical Borders in Dayton & Faris’s 2006 Film Little Miss Sunshine.” Digital Literature Review, vol. 9, 2022, pp. 58–70. Web.
Korean Film Council. “Cinema Asia: South Korea.” Films Media Group, 2004. Video. Web.
Kim, Eunhye. “A Comparative Study on Discourse Analysis of Korean Movie The Housemaid – Focused on Films in 1960 and 2010 –.” International Journal of Korean Humanities and Social Sciences, vol. 6, 2020, pp. 57–79. Web.
Lee, Seow Ting. “Film as Cultural Diplomacy: South Korea’s Nation Branding through Parasite (2019).” Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, vol. 18, no. 2, 2021, pp. 93–104. Web.