One of my goals was to learn more about Korean history. I don't really know what happened in my grandparents' generation and I can never really have a full-fledged conversation to learn about it because I have a hard time speaking Korean with my grandparents. Youngmin gave an assignment to my class to watch a Korean movie titled, Ode to my Father, which has a Forrest Gump type of story where it shows the life a an old Korean man from childhood to present. The main character is placed in settings of significant events of Korea's history in the 20th century. It shows how he lost his father and younger sister when South Korea was at war with North Korea. It also reveals his time working abroad in Germany to make money during an era when Korea did not have the thriving economy it has today. I found this part fascinating because my mom told me my Grandpa went to Saudi Arabia to make money during this era. It was interesting because although it is a fictional story, the events and setting did exist. I was able to get an inside look at how my grandparents' lives were like.
Overall, I really appreciated that this film was assigned to watch. I learned about Korea's history and what the people had to live through. It really made me appreciate the life I have lived until now in the United States and how privileged I am. It is so vastly different to what my grandpa may have lived through when he was growing up. I feel that I somewhat connect with him and the Korean people a bit better and that's what made this movie so impactful.
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