Week 1 - Film (August 2nd)

[LeeYoonJu]

Though I grew up in Korea, I haven't watched many of these historical Korean films because my family was never big on films- in fact, my parents always say, even to this day, that "Korean films are not as good as Hollywood films". They say they are tired of many of the Korean films that almost feels like they're forcing the audience to be touched and to cry their eyes out, which I agree we see a lot in many Korean dramas and films. 

However, I have watched Burning, Oldboy, and most of Bong JoonHo's films mentioned in the lecture video and I can say these were far from "tear-jerking" forced human dramas. I was so surprised when Parasite made a huge name in 2020, because I thought it was a very Korean film: people living in 'banjiha' (semi-basement), a mom willing to pay anything for their children's education, patriarchical household where a man has financial power and the wife is focued on being a good mom, young people in their 20's who are lost because they can't find a job even though they're talented. But then so many articles I read talked about how the themes in Parasite were universal: capitalism, human nature and struggle, dignity, etc. 

I think in the early days of Hallyu, the media was more about how 'new' and 'different' Korea was from rest of the world; they were made for Korean people by Korean people. These days, however, I feel like the focus is more on how we all are, at the end of the day, humans, and the story is just told in Korean setting through Korean actors. 

[Daniel Moon]

It is surreal to me how the hallyu wave has completely changed the lens in which western culture now views Korean Culture. Even though I grew up watching a lot of the films mentioned, it is interesting how "hype" Korean culture is in the U.S. through music, movies, K-dramas, and even webtoons. I've not only witnessed this in my own life and among friends and acquaintainces, but I have observed it in my students' discussions. When Squid Game came out last year, it was pandemonium. When BTS dropped ther tickets online, it was pandemonium. Growing up, my culture was never seen as something to celebrate. When Jordan Peele was interviewed about his recent film, NOPE, he is quoted as saying that this is a film about Black Joy. I don't think this was every socially accepted (and still quite isn't during this rise in Anti-Asian Hate) while I was growing up, but it is very interesting and even inspiring to see how Korean culture is received these days.

[Daniel Moon]

I'm not sure it's as much dark films and shows as much as it's maybe about the messaging behind shows and films like Parasite, and Squid Game as well as something new they brought to Korean Cinema and TV. Although moviegoers definitely tend to enjoy more two-dimensional movies and shows, I think the critical acclaim (and accompanying hype) comes from how these acclaimed pieces of media tend to be social commentary on something. Maybe for international viewers, this commentary is more easily digestable when viewed through a "foreign lens"?

In addition, K-dramas are notorious for their romantic tropes and overall positive messaging. Maybe the fact that both Parasite and Squid Games does away with those tropes and both set themselves apart leads to increased curiosity and interest.

[Taylor Bub]

In class we discussed how the different aspects of Korean films and why they have been doing so well in America nad other countries.  I think that American made films are very cookie cutter - in any romantic comedy, it is fairly obvious what girl will end up with what guy and so on.  For me, I found that films like Parasite and Miss Granny, the characters seemed to be more complex to me, where you tend to start to dislike the main character but there are some redeeming qualities.  I found that at the end of these movies, I understand the struggles and influences on each character and I can see why the characters may have made the choices they made, but I find myself not particularly liking those characters.  It creates a kind of conflict that resonates after the movie is over.

[Kara Schwartz]

I really liked your comment about how Hallyu helped your self esteem. I have to say what I loved about both Mother and Miss Granny as a 51 year old woman. I felt that I will be seen when I am an even older woman. The entire movie Mother the camera is focused on an older woman! You never see that. I think BEING seen in movies and television might even help fight racism and ethnocentrism.

[ZhangTina]

While I loved that the movie focused on the older generation and used older actors, I'm not too thrilled about being comparted to a dodge ball! LOL!

[Kara Schwartz]

I think Train to Busan's themes resonated with American audiences so well because you have the fight against conformity (I saw the zombies as conformists especially the way they all fall over in one tumble - see scene with the zombie military and later attaching to the train) Su-an also speaks up to her dad about changing his ways 

I also think love over money and the tenderness of humanity is explored. Especially when Seoul Woo changes his ways and starts helping others 

Of course greed is explored but the movie despite being a zombie film has some laughs and many tender moments

what still haunts me is the scene when one party finally makes it to the safe train compartment and the folks led by vicious business man Yon suk tells them to go! The rage and fear he creates with his fellow train riders against the others is palpable and reminiscent of the inhumanity of war. The look on  Seok Woo's face is so devastating 

 

 

 

[KeaneJerrica]

Agreed! After our discussion on zoom, I left feeling really excited to watch more Miss Granny ! Your point is an interesting one. Why does hollywood create this barrier in terms of remakes? In my opinion, they actually allow for creativity, and how cool is it to view a beloved film with a new prespective/diverse experience. 

[KeaneJerrica]

I immiediately added A Taxi Driver to my list of films to watch because of this thread! I'm super into historical fiction so I'm eager to enjoy the film while learning. Thanks! 

[Courtney Caldwell]

Replying your point, "As described in the article, Jung-Ah's "dedication to exploring cultural difference" really stood out to the writer and lived on in the way Blythe continued to experience new ways of being. Ultimately this feeling of fascination, unknown and wonderment is a goal I hope all of my students experience." 

Since beginning to teach ethnic studies, this has been a thought even more in the forefront of my mind. To ignite curiousity about other cultures, or even their own culture as a starting point is a huge goal. I think it's so important and something that I hope our curriculum inspires. I think that the work we do to incorporate pop culture as a way of learning about/exploring culture will really resonate and spark interest among our students. I know for me personally, I learned about so many different films I had not seen or heard of in last weeks discussion session so to do something like this for our students would be huge. 

[Courtney Caldwell]

The part where you discussed that growing up your culture was never seen as something to celebrate is one of the exact reasons I'm here on this seminar, so thank you for sharing that. To learn about culture, especially in a way that, as you said, is being SO well received by our students (pop culture!), I think will be very powerful in helping them see themselves and their culture being celebrated but ALSO to open the eyes of non-Korean students to the beauty of the culture in hopes of inspiring them to be more open and curious to learn about and celebrate all cultures. 

[Courtney Caldwell]

This was super interesting to learn and these replies really made me think more about it. I was fascinated to learn of all of the different remakes of Miss Granny. I have not seen the film YET (it's on my list!) but I'm curious to watch different versions now to compare. With remakes, I tend to wonder if/what is lost in translation? How much of the original film is honored and how much is changed to either appease a foreign market OR because it's lost in translation? 

[Cheryl Watson]

For those who watch Zombie movies, it becomes clear that class, ethnicity, and society structures come into play.  Glocalization is a new term for me. I appreciate the author's reference to the history of the term "Zombie", which has its roots in the enslavement of Africans in America.  

[Cheryl Watson]

I appreciate Korean movies and series spoken in the original language. Sometimes dubbing, especially if it is poorly dubbed or acted,  detracts from the essence of the film. Netflix's "Carter" (2022) is a good example of genre bending in Korean cinema. Think James Bond, meets Mission Impossible franchise (2012 - 2020), meets, Kingsman: The Secret Service", meets Train to Busan. The stunts were a bit exhausting, but were an essential part of the film. 

[Cheryl Watson]

Zombie genre movies such as, "Train to Busan", "Carter" and "Train to Busan II: Peninsula", as well as class mobility (or lack thereof) in films such as "Parasite" depict the human experience. It is a subtle way to introduce Korean culture and society to American audiences. From movies to beauty products, to KPOP, their soft power has many Americans seekng out Korean restaurants, Korean series, and, for some, Korean language lessons and travel to South Korea.

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