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...
How Does ‘Ghost in the Shell’ Redefine “Life”?
In this blog post, I’ll examine the issues of human identity and the nature of life raised by the movie ‘Ghost in the Shell’, and consider whether we need to redefine the concept of life in light of advances in science and technology. I had long known that “Ghost in the Shell” was the film that inspired “The Matrix,” so it was a movie I had always wanted to see at least once...
Are we living our lives by choosing our own paths?
In this blog post, we’ll explore—through the movie ‘Three Idiots’—the meaning of choosing the life you want, the process of pursuing your dreams in the face of family and societal expectations, and reflections on the current state of education. “Three Idiots” may have a unique title, but it is not a movie about fools or idiots. The Indian film “Three Idiots,” a masterpiece...
How does the movie ‘Princess Deokhye’ portray the dark side of modern and contemporary Korean history?
In this blog post, I’d like to examine the life of Princess Deokhye—as depicted in the movie ‘Princess Deokhye’—and the darker aspects of modern and contemporary Korean history, as well as reflect on how the film sparks interest in history. Like most science majors, I was a student who didn’t pay much attention to modern and contemporary history. I happened to have the...
Why Is ‘Swing Girls’ Such a Charming School Comedy?
In this blog post, I’ll examine the appeal of the school comedy genre as portrayed in the movie ‘Swing Girls’ and the structure of its recurring humor. Before we begin Personally, I chose “Swing Girls” because I love school-based stories. In particular, I’m drawn to the subtleties of the late teens—middle and high school—a time when, outwardly, they don’t differ much from...
Is Marriage Crazy? How Does the Movie ‘Marriage Is Crazy’ Depict Shifting Values?
In this blog post, we’ll examine the changing social norms and values surrounding love, marriage, family, and gender roles through the lens of the movie ‘Marriage Is Crazy’. Rejection of Patriarchal Norms Living in an ever-changing era, we are experiencing countless transformations. Among these, shifts in values are becoming increasingly prominent as they break away from...
When and how did the Korean thriller film genre take root?
In this blog post, we’ll examine the origins of the term “Korean thriller,” the genre’s evolution, and its representative works—from the period immediately following liberation to the thriller boom of the 1960s. Before We Begin Today’s thriller films are no longer merely a form of entertainment. While they often deliver heart-pounding suspense akin to a roller coaster ride, they...
Why does Eun-soo from ‘Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring’ come across as a more multidimensional character than in other romantic dramas?
In this blog post, I’ll examine the characteristics of the romantic drama genre through the film ‘Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring’, analyze why the character Eun-soo is remembered so fondly, and explore why this film is still regarded as a quintessential example of Korean romantic cinema. Introduction It’s hard to say that romantic dramas are my absolute favorite genre...