Teaching East Asia: Korea Teaching East Asia: Korea | Page 277

KOREAN FILM AND POPULAR CULTURE
Bringing Korean Films into the Classroom
By Mary E. Connor
T
eachers exposed to Korean history and culture often want to learn
more. Most teachers are amazed that Koreans not only invented
metal movable type before Gutenberg, but also the world’s first
iron-clad ship, known as a “Turtle Ship.” The beauty of ancient palaces,
the spirituality of Buddhist sculpture, and the technical achievements of
Koryŏ celadon potters inspire educators to learn more so they will be
better able to teach about Asia. They will discover that the Silk Road did
not end in China, but extended into Korea and Japan and that early Ko-
reans had an enormous influence on Japanese culture. Students are led
to make comparisons—how was it possible for Korea to have a tradition
of peace, stability, and long, stable dynasties when China had more than
ten dynasties during approximately the same period?
South Korea’s achievements during the past sixty years are ex-
traordinary. For example, in 1945, it was estimated that only one out of
every three Koreans was literate. Now Koreans are one of the most lit-
erate and best-educated people in the world. Even in impoverished
North Korea, the literacy rate is ninety-nine percent. In South Korea,
eighty percent of Koreans graduate from high school and go on to ter-
Chunhyang
D IRECTOR , I M K WON - TAEK
DVD, 120 MINUTES , 2000, E NGLISH S UBTITLES
Chunhyang is based on Korea’s most famous and
best-loved folk tale, and the film captures the very
essence of Chosŏn Korea (1392–1910). Created by
one of Korea’s major directors, the film captivates
viewers, especially the young. It is a passionate love
© 2000 CJ Entertainment.
story, often compared to Romeo and Juliet, with a
narrative of true love, long-suffering virtue, and triumph over evil.
Aside from being an appealing love story, audiences will enjoy the
beautiful Korean landscapes, magnificent architecture, extravagant sets,
and distinctive and colorful Korean native dress. The film takes place
during the Chosŏn dynasty, revealing Confucian values, a rigid class sys-
tem, restrictions on women, the importance of scholarship, good gover-
nance, and the richness of Korea’s musical traditions. Structured as a story
within a concert performance, a p’ansori singer narrates the story. One
gradually becomes familiar with the distinctive rhythms and vocal range
of this ancient operatic form. In Chunhyang the p’ansori (a genre of Ko-
rean traditional music that is usually performed by two people—one plays
the drum while the other chants a song in a folk style) is moving as we fol-
low the courting, separation, and torture of the heroine.
When Mong-nyong, the aristocratic son of the provincial governor,
is on an outing in the countryside, he sees the beautiful sixteen-year old
Chunhyang (spring fragrance), and it is love at first sight. He learns that
she is the daughter of a kisaeng (a courtesan), and treats Chunhyang as a
servant. After she rejects his advances, Mong-nyong learns that her father
was an aristocrat and that she was brought up as a lady. This fact, com-
bined with Chunhyang’s beauty, arouses his passion. They fall deeply in
love, abandon the strictures of class, and secretly marry. Before long,
Mong-nyong learns that his father has been appointed to the king’s
tiary education. Students will take note of the importance of an edu-
cated work force in achieving rapid economic growth. American stu-
dents might be interested to learn how student activists advanced
democracy in South Korea.
One powerful way to engage students in Korean history and culture
is to introduce them to South Korean films. The amazing success of the
Korean film industry has been the driving force behind the
Korean Wave, a phenomenon of contemporary Korean culture that has
been widely popular throughout East Asia, Southeast Asia, in India, and
particularly among Asian American youth in the United States. Chun-
hyang, Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War, J.S.A. (Joint Security Area),
and The Way Home are part of the Korean Wave (Hallyu), a term coined
in the late 1990s for the sudden popularity of Korean films, television dra-
mas, pop music, movie stars, anime, and comics. Social studies teachers
who incorporate contemporary Korean films into their classroom will
provoke interest in Korean history and foster appreciation for its culture.
This essay includes short reviews of the above titles, as well as a review of
State Of Mind, a thought-provoking documentary on North Korea.
The film takes place during the Chosŏn dynasty,
revealing Confucian values, a rigid class system,
restrictions on women, the importance of
scholarship, good governance, and the richness
of Korea’s musical traditions.
Mong-nyong and Chunhyang as husband and wife.
Screen capture from the film. © 2000 CJ Entertainment.
The corrupt governor delivers a harsh sentence.
Screen capture from the film. © 2000 CJ Entertainment.
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