In this blog post, I’ll first outline the definition and history of melodrama, as well as the reasons for its popularity, and then examine how these elements are emotionally brought to life in Wong Kar-wai’s short film “The Hand.” Definition and History of Melodrama There is a couple. They love each other. However, their family or society does not accept their relationship. Soon, trials...
How has melodrama manipulated public sentiment and social order?
In this blog post, we’ll take a close look at why this genre evokes empathy and catharsis in audiences—and what social functions lie hidden within it—by examining the background and history of melodrama, its components, and its modern variations. The Concept and Origins of Melodrama The Concept of Melodrama Melodrama is a genre that literally means “sung drama,” and it is a...
What genre does ‘Maison de Himiko’ belong to?
In this blog post, we’ll examine the characteristics of the “drama” genre and the emotional message conveyed by the film ‘Maison de Himiko’. Genre Characteristics of Drama The term “drama” itself has become a widely used expression in South Korea that is conventionally categorized as a genre, rather than a genre with a clearly defined definition. Just as the ballad has...
Romantic Comedy: An Inherent Limitation?
In this blog post, we’ll take a step-by-step look at how the romantic comedy genre internalizes a male-centered perspective, using representative works as examples. Romantic Comedies and Their Historical Background Romantic comedies are a genre that many audiences enjoy without feeling any pressure. In fact, a 2004 survey of moviegoers in Seoul found that romance and melodrama were the...
How has the history of the romantic comedy unfolded?
In this blog post, we’ll summarize the major trends and characteristics of the genre, from the emergence of screwball comedy to the evolution of modern romantic comedy. The Hollywood Landscape of the 1930s By the early 1930s, the American film industry was built on relatively solid ground. Despite the global economic downturn of the late 1920s, the number of films produced actually...
Are Romantic Comedies Progressive or Conservative?—What Differences Do ‘Legally Blonde’, ‘Juno’, and ‘My Boyfriend’s Romance’ Reveal?
In this blog post, I’ll analyze how the progressive and conservative aspects of romantic comedies—in terms of content and themes—are revealed in ‘Legally Blonde’, ‘Juno’, and ‘My Boyfriend’s Romance’. The Concept and Characteristics of Romantic Comedies A romantic comedy is, quite literally, a genre that combines romance and comedy; while the surface...
How Do the Documentary ‘Dong’ and the Feature Film ‘Still Life’ Break Down Genre Boundaries?
In this blog post, we compare Jia Zhangke’s documentary ‘Dong’ and his feature film ‘Still Life’ to examine how these two works blur the lines between documentary and fiction. Film Introduction ‘Dong’ is a documentary by director Jia Zhangke that follows the creative process of Chinese contemporary painter Liu Xiaodong. Set against the backdrop of demolition work at the Three Gorges Dam...
Why Analyze ‘Extreme Eros’?
In this blog post, I will examine the reasons for choosing Kazuo Hara’s documentary film ‘Extreme Eros’, its plot, and the ethical and visual issues it raises. Reasons for Choosing the Film I am a pervert. Perhaps we are all perverts to someone. A pervert is someone who is obsessed with a specific object, and because that object of obsession is so normal, those around them may...
What kind of movie is it where people are just as scary as ghosts?
In this blog post, I’ll examine the characteristics, quality, and shortcomings of a horror film where humans are scarier than ghosts. This film highlights the ugly selfishness of humanity. Unlike previous Korean horror films, which often prioritized scares at the expense of narrative substance, this film has a clear purpose. The root of all horror is humanity. The various horror stories...
Is Jia Zhangke’s ‘Xiao Wu’ a feature film or a documentary?
In this blog post, I will examine how documentary elements and feature film formats intersect, using director Jia Zhangke’s film ‘Xiao Wu’ as a case study. Film Overview and Synopsis The film ‘Xiao Wu’ follows the protagonist, Xiao Wu, a pickpocket, as he scrapes by in the city. While the police proclaim a “war on crime” and emphasize law-abiding behavior, this...