For this month, me and my language partner decided that we would watch some popular Korean movies together. Because my skills in Korean are sufficiently fluent, we watched movies that would be somewhat difficult for a beginner to watch without subtitles. The movies we watched were 외계+인 1부 (Alienoid 2022) and the much more popular 기생충 (Parasite 2019). Watching movies to learn Korean not only made learning entertaining, but it also exposed me to some of the culture, history, and atmosphere in South Korea.
For starters, Alienoid had a fairly confusing plot that required me to pay attention very closely. The movie took place over 2 different time periods: The 고려시대 (Goryeo Dynasty, 1380 AD) and “modern” Korea (2012 AD). At first, the movie revolves around two aliens from a far away planet that capture “demonic” aliens from there that possess human bodies. As they complete a mission in the Goryeo Dynasty, they capture one but the host gives them her infant girl, asking them to take care of her. Reluctantly, they take her in back to the modern world and raise her with the given name 이안 (Yi-an). However, soon things go south as the 2 aliens learn about the Controller (the top-dog demon alien) and his plans to take over the Earth so that his race of aliens can live there. While fighting the Controller, they go back in time where the rest of the movie takes place. Explaining the rest of the plot would take a while so if you want to know I would recommend watching it :) .
On the complete opposite spectrum is the movie Parasite. This movie revolves around the Kim family, who, through deception, infiltrate the wealthy Park family's household, each securing a job there. The narrative takes unexpected twists as class tensions, social commentary, and dark humor unfold, ultimately leading to a dramatic and impactful conclusion. Once again, if you want to know the plot I HIGHLY recommend watching this one in particular. This movie received widespread acclaim, winning several awards, including the Palme d'Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and Best Picture at the 92nd Academy Awards.
Alienoid provided a strong look into life during the Goryeo dynasty. The movie had a lot of fantasy elements, mainly magic, which of course is fake. But it provided an overview of the things the people during the Goryeo dynasty believed in. The supernatural, objects of magical powers, spirits, etc. It also showed how society was structured; for example a key part for some of the movie revolved around a 사또 (magistrate) who was sort of like a sheriff/mayor of a small area of the kingdom. Conversely, Parasite was a satirical portrayal of the social class disparities in Korean society. The film explores the extreme contrast between the wealthy and the poor, illustrating the challenges and complexities of social mobility. Both films provide a good insight to how Korean society flowed and continue to flow and the differences and evolution between the two.
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