[A Sip of Books] Cooltura May 2022 Issue, K-Movie Special Edition

Some sentences encapsulate the entire content of a book in themselves, while others instantly reach the reader’s heart, creating a connection with the book. We excerpt and introduce such meaningful sentences from books. - Editor’s note

The May issue of Cultura is a K-Movie special. Critic Kim Simu discusses the achievements of directors leading the ‘Hallyu wave.’ Reporter Raje Gi covers the global activities of Korean actors, and programmer Kim Hyungseok forecasts the future of K-Movie from the perspective of international film festivals. Critic Song Kyungwon focuses on analyzing how Korean cinema has achieved both popular and aesthetic success simultaneously. Critic Jeon Chanil examines the vivid reactions of the global audience to K-Movie and the current state of the Korean film market. The issue also introduces the Jeonju Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, and the Canada Korean Film Festival. Additionally, writer Joo Chanok reviews the five hottest romance dramas currently. Film critic Song Seokju analyzes how the film CODA portrays the lives of people with disabilities.

Netflix has become a gateway for the world to easily access Korean films and dramas. It fully funded Okja (2017) and simultaneously released it to subscribers worldwide, and created the drama series Kingdom, sparking a ‘Joseon zombie’ craze. The distribution method, which used to require processes like selling broadcasting rights and theatrical releases (or TV scheduling) to reach audiences (viewers), has been simplified, allowing Hallyu to rapidly spread worldwide. Crash Landing on You (2019?2020) and Itaewon Class (2020) gained popularity worldwide via the Netflix distribution highway. Park Seojoon, the lead actor of Itaewon Class, made a super-fast Hollywood debut by appearing in the Marvel film Captain Marvel 2 just about a year after the drama aired. Last year’s global success of the drama Squid Game is based on decades of challenges faced by Korean cinema. - From “The Path Paved by Bae Yongjoon and Lee Byunghun... The Sprint of Lee Jungjae, Ma Dongseok, and Park Seojoon” (Korea Daily film reporter Raje Gi), page 47

Korea’s international film festivals face several issues that need to be addressed. First, they must devise strategies for long-term survival. Currently, Korean film festivals heavily rely on subsidies from local governments and are not free from political influence. Simply put, a film festival could disappear overnight. To offset this risk, film festivals must elevate their cultural influence to a level of social consensus. In other words, the cultural significance of supporting film festivals must be publicly recognized. Although Korea has had a film festival culture for over 20 years, this remains a challenge. Another issue is policy-related. Currently, support for Korean film festivals is limited to cash grants to a few festivals. However, a more proactive approach is needed. It is important to emphasize that the festival as a cultural event was the foundation of the achievements of ‘K-Movie’ and ‘K-Drama,’ and to gradually build a system where not only local governments but also corporations and various public institutions can collaborate with film festivals. Although difficult, when such efforts gradually materialize, Korean film culture can enter a new phase on a more solid foundation. - From “International Film Festivals That Have Led and Will Lead the Hallyu of K-Movie” (film critic Kim Hyungseok), page 59

The film CODA does not objectify people with disabilities as pitiable beings. It portrays them as ordinary humans who are appropriately selfish and materialistic. They unabashedly express sexual desire and deliver satisfying punches to those who disrespect them. Unlike non-disabled people who grumble about unfair treatment, they stand up and clearly express their intentions. This mode of representation expands the living space of real people with disabilities outside the screen, who often shrink back due to their disabilities. CODA is a film rich in virtues. - From “How CODA Portrays the Lives of People with Disabilities” (film critic Song Seokju), page 113

Cultura May 2022 Issue (No. 95) | Written by Kang Sumi and 19 others | Jakga | 144 pages | 12,000 KRW