A brief history of Korean movies

The past 100 years The most striking aspect of modern Korean

history is the amount of turmoil that the country has endured. In this time, the peo-ple of Korea have seen the fall of the Choseon Dynasty, the rule of the Japanese (1910 – 1945), the Korean War (1950 – now), the Cold War, and the Asian economic crisis (1997).

Photo history

Japanese occupation Up to 1897 the Korean peninsula had been

ruled by a monarchy – the Choseon (or Joseon, or Chosun), dynasty (1392 – 1897).

In 1905 Japan made Korea a protectorate. In 1910 Japan annexed Korea and controlled

every aspect of Korean life. They suppressed Korean culture and banned

the Korean language and Korean names.

Japanese occupation During this time, Japanese business laid the

foundations for Korean’s film industry. The first Korean film with sound was

“Ch’yunhyang-jun”. The Japanese government imposed many re-

strictions and censorship on Korean movies. In 1942, Korean-language films were banned.

Korean War In 1945, the Japanese were defeated (WWII)

and left Korea. Korea was divided at the 38th parallel. In 1948, Korea was divided into North Korea

and South Korea. This led to the Korean War in 1950 (6.25). A Cease-fire agreement was signed in 1953.

Tae-gukgi

Cold War A 4-km wide DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) was

made on the 38th parallel. A Joint Security Area (JSA) was made around

Panmunjeom. North and South are technically still at war.

JSA

Shiri

The Golden Age The 1950s and 196os were called “The

Golden Age” of Korean films. The number of home-made films increased. Directors such as Im Kweon-taek and Kim

Gi-young started at this time. However, the Korean government

started censoring movies and therewas a coup in 1961 (Park, Chung-hee)

Censorship Park’s rule meant strict censorship, and the

Korean movie industry declined, up to 1979. Directors played it ‘safe’ with action films and

melodramas. Park introduced the ‘Quota’ system. Cinemas

had to show Korean films. There was a limit to the number of foreign films.

Korean cinemas still have to show Korean films at least 106 days of the year.

1980s Park was assassinated in 1979 by the direc-

tor of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency.

General Chun Doo-hwan took over. He continued to suppress anti-government

protests and arrested opposition politicians. The Gwangju Massacre occurred at this

time.

KwangjuPeppermint

Candy

1980s - reform In 1987, Chun allowed some reforms, in-

cluding open elections. The censorship laws were relaxed, and Ko-

rean movies had a revival. Import restrictions were also relaxed, and

more foreign films came into Korea. Only 16% of films in cinemas were Korean

films, in 1993.

1990s President Noh and ex-president Chun were

arrested for the Kwangju Massacre. The chaebols made large investments in the

Korean film industry. In 1997, the Asian economic crisis hit Korea. Stability did not return until 2000. The chaebols sold their investments to pri-

vate interests.

Seopyunje

1990s The private interests wanted more daring

and interesting movies. They encouraged young directors. Many new directors arrived, having studied

film-making abroad. There was less censorship. Korea’s film industry became freer, creative,

and successful.

Chunhyang

Notable New Wave Movies Chingu (2001) Chihwaseon (2002) Winter Sonata (2002) 3 Iron (Empty House) (2004) 200 pounds beauty (2006) Secret Sunshine (Milyang) (2007) My Sassy Girl (2008)