In this blog post, we’ll explore how director Kang Jin-ah interprets the theme of death through her unique perspective in ‘You in My Dreams’, a film that depicts the emotions of those left behind as they come to terms with the death of a loved one, as well as the anguish of the one who must depart. A Powerful Opening That Begins with Death Lately, I’ve found myself pondering...
How does ‘Nonfiction Diary’ portray South Korean society in the 1990s through the Jijonpa case?
In this blog post, I’ll explore everything from why I chose ‘Nonfiction Diary’ to the historical context surrounding the Jijonpa serial murder case and the Seongsu Bridge and Sampoong Department Store collapses, as well as the film’s format and direction, and my personal thoughts on the social issues it raises. Reasons for Choosing This Film I enjoy documentaries that address...
What Remains in August Without Him? Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Record of Life and Absence
In this blog post, I’d like to share my thoughts on Hirokazu Kore-eda’s documentary ‘August Without Him’, focusing on why I chose this film, its observational and poetic style, and the meaning of absence revealed in the process of documenting a person’s life and death. Reasons for Choosing Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Documentary My reasons can be divided into two categories. First, I...
Should families be dissolved, or should we seek a new meaning for the family?
In this blog post, focusing on the characters and family values depicted in ‘The Unfaithful Family’, I will examine the reasons why the characters engage in extramarital affairs, as well as the dissolution of the family, sexual desire, individual happiness, and the meaning of the alternative family model presented in this film. A Story of People Having Affairs: ‘The...
Why Does “Christmas in August” Leave a Deeper Impression of Restrained Love and Goodbye?
In this blog post, I’ll explore the meaning and characteristics of romantic dramas. By analyzing the characters, setting, and plot of “Christmas in August,” I’ll discuss the emotions and lingering impact created by the motifs of restrained love and death. What Is a Melodrama? What images typically come to mind when you think of a melodrama? A movie full of whining? A movie that turns...
Why Does ‘Blood Rain’ Delve So Deeply into Human Selfishness and Guilt?
In this blog post, I’ll explore the film ‘Blood Rain’ by focusing on its brutal series of murders, the human selfishness and contradictions revealed within them, the blurred line between victim and perpetrator, the film’s visual palette, and Won-kyu’s journey—which is intertwined with mythological structures. Memories of a Rainy Day and the Bitter Aftertaste Left by...
How does ‘I Have No Regrets’ portray same-sex love as a form of love within the familiar framework of the romantic drama genre?
In this blog post, I’ll examine the typical narrative, distinctive cinematography, and themes of oppression and inequality in ‘I Have No Regrets’—an indie film, a queer film, and a romantic drama—and explore how the love between the two protagonists creates the emotional impact and lingering resonance typical of romantic dramas. “I Have No Regrets”: An Indie Film, a Queer Film...
How did the Korean-style mockumentary begin, and in what direction has it evolved?
In this blog post, I’ll examine the origins and definition of the mockumentary genre and, through the films ‘Abandoned House’ and ‘Actresses’, explore the characteristics and limitations of the Korean-style mockumentary, as well as its potential for future development. The Beginnings of the Korean Mockumentary The mockumentary genre, which began with ‘The...
What Kind of Conflict and Love Should a Korean Romantic Comedy Depict?
In this blog post, I’ll examine the conflict, character development, endings, and use of supporting characters and settings in ‘The Zoo Next to the Art Museum’, ‘He Was So Cool’, and ‘Notting Hill’, and consider what structure and elements a Korean romantic comedy should have. The Beloved Genre: The Potential of the Romantic Comedy What is the most...
How does ‘Ghost in the Shell’ explore the concept of self in artificial intelligence at the boundary between humans and machines?
In this blog post, I’ll examine whether machines can possess a self and mind like humans—through the artificial intelligence and cyborgs featured in the movie ‘Ghost in the Shell’—and consider how the intentionality of artificial intelligence differs from human emotions. The movie ‘Ghost in the Shell’ depicts a future where technological advancements have led to the...