Korean
Film History in a Nutshell
Korea’s
film history is a short one. Although a few films were
produced in between 1903 and 1969, many rolls of film
were physically destroyed due to the turbulent political
situation. Censorship was a big issue and during these
unstable times, there were not a lot of people creating
films, nor was there much of a demand for frivolous leisure
entertainment. In the 70’s and 80’s the popularity
of television overshadowed the cinema. It wasn’t
until 1988, that censorship laws started to ease. In that
same year, Hollywood movies were allowed to come into
the Korean market. During this era, Hollywood movies dominated
Korean screens. In order to prevent the total collapse
of the Korean movie industry, a Screen Quota System was
set up which forced Korean theaters to play Korean movies
for 106-146 days out of the year. In 1996, after the IMF
crisis eased, a new generation of directors led a renaissance
in the Korean film industry. Some Korean movies even began
to gross more ticket sales than the big Hollywood hits
(as was the case when Shiri, a Korean action movie, sold
more tickets than the mega-hit movie Titanic).
These days, the dearth of English language films in Seoul’s
cinemas is proof that the Korean film industry is booming.
Technical equipment for lighting, cinematography and camera
work have improved. Many
first-time directors are injecting new ideas into the
industry and, since many have been successful, the flood
gates have been open to other neophyte directors to follow
suit.Talented thespians also began surfacing in the late
90’s lending credibility to the once dubious profession
of ‘acting’. Movies like Chingu (Friend),
Silmido and Taegguki set records at the Korean Box office.
Meanwhile movies like ‘Old Boy’, ‘My
Sassy Girl’ and ‘JSA’ gained world-wide
acclaim. A new word, Hallyu, was invented to describe
the appreciation of the Korean pop culture. Korean movies,
music, TV dramas and fashion are now all the rage around
Asia. Will Hallyu-wood give Hollywood a run for the money?
Only time will tell. As long as Korean cinema keeps a
fresh voice and doesn’t try to be too much like
the sell-out blockbusters coming out of Hollywood, people
will continue to ride the Korean Wave.
How
non-Korean speakers can enjoy Korean Cinema
Even if you don’t speak Korean, there is a way to
enjoy films coming out of Hallyu-wood. Most Korean DVD’s
are subtitled in English and you can rent them at your
local video store. If you want the cinema experience,
one way to see Korean films on a big screen is to go to
one of the many DVD bangs around town. (A DVD bang is
a place where you can rent movies and watch them in private
rooms.Young lovers often use them as places to be ‘romantic’
with their dates. If you don’t mind this idea, then
a DVD bang not a bad place to see a movie.) DVD rooms
are plentiful in the university areas like Hongdae, Taehangno
and Shinchon. There are also several in Myong Dong. Usually
they are on the second or third floor of a building, so
look up and look for signs that say DVD.
Another option is to look out for theaters that screen
Korean movies with English subtitles. The Joong Ang Cinema
in Myong Dong sometimes does this and this company sometimes
shows Korean movies with English subtitles: http://www.seoulselection.com/screening.html
ACTION
Seoulstyle recommended movies are marked with astericks*****
JOINT
SECURITY AREA
FRIEND*****
ONCE
UPON A TIME IN HIGH SCHOOL
TAEGUKKI
SILMIDO*****
OLD
BOY*****
SHIRI
DRAMA
UNTOLD
SCANDAL*****
A
MOMENT TO REMEMBER
THE
SCARLET LETTER
THE
WAY HOME*****
MARATHON*****
BAD
GUY
A
LITTLE MONK
ROMANTIC
COMEDY/COMEDY
MY
WIFE IS A GANGSTER*****
PLEASE
TEACH ME ENGLISH
EVERYONE
HAS SECRETS
MOKPO-A
GANGSTER'S PARADISE
MY LITTLE
BRIDE
MY SASSY
GIRL
