South Korean Film Studies, Turn Of The Century

In a quite long history, the Korean films industry is lacking in vigor in its home market and only holds an average position in world movie circles, and its level, viewed as a whole, is just moderate. While it changes into 21" century, great changes take place here and there, along with which Korean films industry comes to the fore with a new force suddenly and constantly keeps a vigorous developing trend, not only gaining the approval from its domestic box office but also winning some world prizes. Just in a flash, it has become one of the strongest both in Asian and world movie circles.The surprising achievements obtained by Korean films in these years are full of significances of enlightenment and demonstration for Chinese film which is now transforming. Therefore, it is pressing and necessary to carry out analysis and research on it. In contrast with its prosperous conditions, the research on Korean films in continent, especially that on its whole, is still inadequate. Our research on Korean films is still in a beginning stage.This thesis divides into three chapters: backgrounds seeking; ontology expounding; culture analyzing. "Backgrounds seeking" concentrates on explaining the exterior factors in its promotion. "Ontology expounding" concretely analyzes the interior ones in it. "Culture analysis" tends to, from the angle of culture, make a close observation and a thorough examination of the Korean film phenomena . The combination of the three is expected to benefit the expansion and development of the Korean films research.Asian Financial Crisis (AFC) made a strong hit at Korean economy, however, it brought a rare developing chance for Korean filmindustry. By increasing the investments, regulating ticket prices, developing international communication, supporting art films, relaxing the censorship and pursing screen quota, the Korean government with this series of policies ensures its national film industry of a guarantee for its development. The Koreans in and out of the movie circle, working as one perseveringly and dauntlessly, make great efforts to Korean films' promotion and prosperity.The focus of interior factors for Korean films' prosperity is those directors who are of resolute spirit and various artistic styles. Ira Kwon Taek , Lee Chang Dong , Kim Ki Duk ( winners of Best Director in the 3 greatest world film festivals), Kang Wu Seok and Kang Je Gyu (the founder who created commercial wonder in native film market)are the prominent among Korean directors, all occupy a pivotal position in Korean movie circle ;The Korean films in these changing years are characterized by their proper employment of lights and colors, good environments construction and careful shape of its figures. All of these make picture qualities extremely outstanding. Along with this, it still consummately adapts music with striking artistic appeal. Thus, good visual and audio effects come into being; Korean films gradually become a successful model of artistic transplant from Hollywood film patterns into native ones. The variety and hotchpotch of its genres even more bring satisfaction to the interests and demands of audiences of many levels.Korean films of this new coming century become a mirror of this nation and its society. These distinguishing characteristics of the nation such as national self-respect, cohesion, obedience and rebellion to its tradition and authority, sturdiness and irascibility, softness and reserve are all absorbed and embodiedin its films. The Korean films also set and preserve some national things in its films bit by bit, so that the audiences can not only enjoy the social look, but also feel the nation' s pulse. And many issues such as the tragic break-up of Korean peninsula into south and north, the historically Korea-Japan contradiction, the complex Korea-Japan relationship as well as everyday trifles in its society can all find themselves in Korean films.