Christian identity in South Korean films after 1997 IMF crisis

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine instances of Christian identity in South Korean films released after the 1997 financial crisis in South Korea. The research method is mainly analytical and descriptive based on 4 conceptual frameworks that are Christianity in South Korea, Christian identity, binary opposition, and the socio-cultural context of South Korea. The sample group for this study is 6 South Korean films: (1) The Soul Guardians (August 1998) (2) Untold Scandal (2003) (3) Old Boy (2003) (4) Love, So Divine (2004) (5) Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005) and (6) Secret Sunshine (2007). The aspects of Christian identity portrayed in the 6 films consists of (1) Christian ethics in terms of prohibition of killing and adultery, (2) Christian values in terms of love of God, (3) Christian beliefs including the belief in God, belief in prayer, and belief in human sin, (4) Christian practices in terms of practices with God, practices with Christians, and prayer, and (5) Christian symbolism; in particular, the study found that color symbolism for black and white is portrayed in most of the films. Black symbolizes mourning, death, and sin while white is used to represent the purity of Jesus Christ. Christian identity in the six films reflects socio-cultural phenomena in South Korea after the 1997 financial crisis. These are mass suicide, changing attitudes towards adultery, an increase in socio-economic significance of woman, keeping good reputations of Catholic priests, and dissatisfaction of South Korea’s former president Lee Myung Bak.