바로가기메뉴

본문 바로가기 주메뉴 바로가기

Korea Journal

  • P-ISSN0023-3900
  • E-ISSN2733-9343
  • A&HCI, SCOPUS, KCI

From the Era of Melodrama to the Age of the Comedy and the Thriller: The Simultaneous Transformations of Korean Society and Film Genre From the 1990s to the Present

Korea Journal / Korea Journal, (P)0023-3900; (E)2733-9343
2019, v.59 no.4, pp.103-135
https://doi.org/10.25024/kj.2019.59.4.103
박유희 (고려대학교)
  • 다운로드 수
  • 조회수

Abstract

Since the 1990s, the genres of Korean film have been re-imagined, and the changed status of melodramas symbolizes this. Melodrama, which was a mainstream genre of Korean film for a long time, has been dissolved into a variety of emerging film genres, losing its dominance. This evolution has been commensurate with the imperative to secure distance from the emotions centered on the pathos of compassion and sympathy, and to question the period dominated by such emotions. The trajectory of Korean films in the 1990s, which began with a greater focus on romantic comedy and continued into comic action films, and the rise of thrillers in the 2000s, demonstrate this transformation. Since the 2000s Comedies and thrillers have acted as a common denominator of genre hybridization, maintaining their status as mainstream genres. This is because these two genres are most suitable for reflecting and reenacting the dynamics of Korean society and the specificity of its modernization due to the coexistence of a delayed modernity and a nascent post-modernity in Korea. In this transformation of film genres, current Korean films embody a labyrinth without an exit where the pursuit of rationality ends in failure or deepens an ironic aesthetic that calls for a contemplative form of humor regarding the coexistence of heterogeneity, contradictions, and absurdity.

keywords
film genre, transformation, melodrama, romantic comedy, thriller, pathos, distance, question

참고문헌

1.

Agamben, Giorgio. 2005. State of Exception. Translated by Kevin Attell. Chicago:University of Chicago Press.

2.

An, Jae-seok. 2014. “Gaksaek yeonghwa-reul tonghan Baechangho gamdok yeongu:Gaksaek sinario-ui seosa byeonhyeong-eul jungsimeuro” (A Study on Film Director Bae Chang-ho through His Adapted Films: Focusing on the Narrative Transformation of Adapted Screenplays). PhD diss., Chungang University.

3.

Baek, Moonim. 2002. “Hanguk gongpo yeonghwa yeongu: Yeogwi-ui seosagiban-eul jungsim-euro” (A study on Korean Horror Film: On the Contexts of Womenghost Narratives). PhD diss., Yonsei University.

4.

Bauman, Zygmunt. 2000. Liquid Modernity. Cambridge: Polity Press.

5.

Cho, Junhyoung. 2005. “Hanguk yeonghwa saneop-gwa jeongchaek: 1980–1997”(Korean Film Industry and Policy: 1980–1997). In Hanguk yeonghwasa gongbu 1980–1997 (Studying Korean Film History 1980–1997), edited by Korean Film Archive, 200–201. Seoul: Ichae.

6.

Cho, Junhyoung. 2018. “Hanguk yeonghwa geomyeolsa-ui myeot gaji juje-e daehan sironjeok yeongu” (An Exploratory Study of the History of Korean Film Censorship). Hanguk geug yesul yeongu (Journal of Korean Drama and Theatre) 59: 51–84.

7.

Chung, Chonghwa. 2008. Hangukyeonghwasa: Han gwon-euro ingneun yeonghwa 100-nyeon (History of Korean Film: 100 Years of Reading in One Book). Seoul:Korean Film Archive.

8.

Daejung seosa jangre yeonguhoe (Research Society of Popular Narrative Genre), eds. 2007-2016. Daejung seosa jangreu-ui modeun geot (All About Popular Narrative Genre). 5 vols. Seoul: Iron-gwa silcheon.

9.

Dang, Se-mi. 2019. “Bongjoonho yeonghwa-ui jaehyeon jeollyak yeongu: Aireoni-wa allegori-reul jungsim-euro” (A Study on the Reenacting Strategy of Joon Ho Bong’s Films: With Irony and Allegories). Master’s thesis, Korea University.

10.

Hwang, Inseong, Seung-seuk Nam and Hyerang Cho. 2012. “Yeonghwa ‘Gongdonggyeongbiguyeok JSA’ui gonggan jaehyeon bangsik-gwa geu sangjingjeok uimi-e daehan il gochal” (Spatial Implications of Cinematic Space: An Analysis of Joint Security Area JSA). Eollon-gwa sahoe (Press and Society) 20.4: 81–131.

11.

Jang, Seo-hee. 2008. “2000-nyeondae hanguk yeonghwa-e natanan pilleumneuwareu seutail-e gwanhan yeongu” (Film Noir Style in Korean Genre Movies of 2000s). Master’s thesis, Chungang University.

12.

“Jeongchaek yeongu” (Policy Research). Korean Film Council (KOFIC). Accessed December 1, 2019. https://www.kofic.or.kr/kofic/business/rsch/findPolicyList. do.

13.

Kang, Yong Hoon. 2018. “Soseol ‘Choehu-ui jeungin’ui yeonghwahwa yangsang-gwa hanguk churi seosa-e jaehyeondoen beop-ui munje” (The Condition of Cinematization of the Novel ‘The Last Witness’ and the Problems Regarding the Law Which Represented in the Korean Mystery Narratives). Journal of Korean Culture 43: 275–322.

14.

Kim, Jeongnam et al, eds. 2017. 1990-nyeondae munhwa Keyword 20 (1990s Culture Keyword 20). Seoul: Munhwada Books.

15.

Kim, Jongwon, and Jungheon Jeong. 2001. Uri yeonghwa 100-nyeon (A Century of Our Film). Seoul: Hyeonamsa.

16.

Kim, KyoungWook. 2002. Beullokbeoseuteo-ui hwansang, hangugyeonghwa-ui nareusisijeum (Blockbuster and Fantasy: Narcissism in Korean Film). Seoul:Chaek sesang.

17.

Kim, KyoungWook. 2015. “1980-nyeondae ihu, hanguk ‘bundan yeonghwa’e jaehyeondoen ‘yeoksajeok teurauma’e gwanhan yeongu” (A Study on ‘Historical Trauma’Represented in Korean Cinema Since the 1980s). Yeonghwa yeongu (Film Studies) 63: 37–69.

18.

Kim, Mee Hyun, ed. 2006. Hangukyeonghwasa: Gaehwagieseo gaehwagikkaji (Korean Cinema: From Origin to Renaissance). Seoul: Communication Books.

19.

Kim, Soh Youn. 2014. “1990-nyeondae ihu hanguk yeonghwa-eseo ‘komik modeu’ui munje” (A Study on ‘The Comic Mode’ in Korean Cinema Since the 1990s:Focusing on the Transitional Emergence of Romantic Comedy Genre Films). Yeonghwa yeongu (Film Studies) 60: 29–55.

20.

Kim, Soyoung. 1999. Geundaeseong-ui yuryeungdeul (The Ghosts of Modernity). Seoul: Ssiaseul bburi-neun saram.

21.

Kim, Sun-ah. 2000. “Rejeubieon, ssaikokilleo, yeo-goe” (Lesbian, Psycho Killer, Female Monster). Yeoseong iron (Female Theory) 3: 216–232.

22.

Kim, Youngjin. 2006. “Hyeondae hanguk yeonghwa-ui jakgajeok gyeonghyang-e daehayeo: Jangneu-ui byeonyongseong-eul jungsimeuro” (A study of the Authorship in Recent Korean Cinema: Going Against the Grain with Genre Convention). PhD diss., Chungang University.

23.

Kwon, Eun-Sun. 2001. “Hangukyeong beullokbeoseuteo-wa minjokjuui damnon-ui jeolhap gwangye yeongu: ‘Swiri’wa ‘Gongdonggyeongbiguyeok JSA’reul jungsimeuro”(A Study on the Articulation of Korean Blockbuster and Nationalism:With ‘Swiri’ and ‘Joint Security Area’). Master’s thesis, Korean National University of Arts.

24.

Lee, Young-mee. 2016. Hanguk daejung yesulsa, sinpaseong euro ilkda (Korean Pop Art History, Melodramatic Reading). Seoul: Pureun yeoksa.

25.

Mandel, Ernest. 1986. Delightful Murder: A Social History of the Crime Story. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

26.

Narcejac, Thomas. 2003. Churi soseol-ui nolli (The Logic of a Mystery Novel). Translated by Jung-hyeon Kim. Seoul: Yerim gihoek. Originally published as Une machine a lire: le roman policier (Paris: Éditions Denoël, 1975).

27.

Neale, Stephen and Frank Krutnik. 1990. Popular Film and Television Comedy. London: Routledge.

28.

Oh, Young Sook, 2005, “Komidi yeonghwa-ui se gaji jonjae bangsik” (Study of the Comedy in 1950s’ Korean Cinema). Yeonghwa yeongu (Film Studies) 26: 235–264.

29.

Park, Jin-hyeong. 2005. “Romaentik komidi: Yeonae-ui sahoe gyeongjehak”(Romantic Comedy: Socio-Economics of Romance). In Daejung yeonghwa-wa hyeondae sahoe (Popular Movies and Modern Society), edited by Jaecheol Moon, 135–156. Seoul: Sodo.

30.

Park, Sun-young. 2018. Komidieon jeonseongsidae: Hanguk komidi yeonghwa-ui yeoksa-wa jeongchi mihak (Comedian’s Heyday: The History of Korean Comedy Films and Political Beauty). Seoul: Somyeong chulpan.

31.

Park, Yuhee. 2009. “Hanguk churi seosa-e natanan ‘tamjeong’ pyosang: ‘Hanguk churi seosa-ui yeoksa-wa iron’eul wihan siron” (An Essay on the Representation of Detective Appeared in Korean Mystery-narrative: A Comments for History and Theory of Korean Mytery-narrative). Hanminjok munhwa yeongu (The Review of Korean Cultural Studies) 31: 397–434.

32.

Park, Yuhee. 2013a. “Gorip-doen jeonsa, gyeonggye-ui taja: Tallaengjeon sidae hanguk jeonjaeng yeonghwa-e natanan ‘buk’ui pyosang” (Isolated Warriors and Others at the Boundary: The Representations of North Korea in Korean War Films in the Post-Cold War Era). Minjok munhwa yeongu (Korean Cultural Studies) 58:751–791.

33.

Park, Yuhee. 2013b. “Chongnon: Useum-ui seosa-wa hanguk daejung munhwa”(General Theory: Narrative of Humor and Korean Popular Culture). In Daejung seosa jangneu-ui modeun geot (All About Popular Narrative Genre), edited by Daejung seosa jangre yeonguhoe, 12–29. Seoul: Iron-gwa shilcheon.

34.

Park, Yuhee. 2018, “Hanguk beopjeong yeonghwa-ui jendeo bosuseong-e daehan yeoksajeok gochal” (A Historical Study on the Gender Conservativeness in South Korean Courtroom Drama Films). Minjok eomun hakoe (Society of Korean Language and Literature) 84: 139–189.

35.

Park, Yuhee. 2019. “Patoseu-e-ui geori-wa hamnijeok georae-ui gamseonghwa:1990-nyeondae hanguk yeonghwa jangneu-ui byeonjeon-gwa gamseong-ui jaepyeon” (Keeping Distance from Pathos and Turning Rational Trade into Emotions: The Change of Genres and the Reorganization of Emotions in the South Korean Films in the 1990s). Daejung seosa yeongu (Journal of Popular Narrative) 25.3: 9–40.

36.

Puwar, Nirmal. 2004. Space Invaders: Race, Gender and Bodies Out of Place. Oxford:Berg Publishers.

37.

Reuter, Yves. 2000. Churi soseol (Detective Novel). Translated by Kyeong Hyun Kim. Seoul: Munhak-gwa jiseongsa. Originally published as Le Roman Policier (Paris:Fernand Nathan, 1999).

38.

Rubin, Martin. 1999. Thrillers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

39.

Todorov, Tzvetan. 1975. The Fantastic: A structural Approach to a Literary Genre. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.

40.

Youn, Sung Eun. 2010. “1990-nyeondae ihu hanguk romaentik komidi yeonghwa-ui byeonhyeong yangsang-gwa yoin-e gwanhan yeongu” (A Study on the Variations in and Factors Influencing Korean Romantic Comedy Movies from the 90’s Onwards). PhD diss., Hanyang University.

41.

Yu, Gina. 1999a. “60-nyeondae hanguk komidi” (The 60’s Korean Comedy: Main Codes and Social Signification). Yeonghwa yeongu (Film Studies) 15: 283–306.

42.

Yu, Gina. 1999b. Melodrama-ran mueut-inga? (What is a Melodrama?). Seoul:Minumsa.

43.

Yun, Moon-jung. 2005. “Parkchanwook gamdog-ui jakgaseong yeongu: Jangneu iron-gwa jakgajuui iron-ui sigageseo” (A Study on the Authorship of Park Chan-wook: In the View of Genre Theory and Authorship Theory). Master’s thesis, Sogang University.

44.

Yun, Sung Min. 2015. “Hanguk mellodeurama gyebo-eseo-ui romaentik komidi”(Study on Romantic Comedy of Korean Film Industry). Yeongsang munhwa contents yeongu (Journal of Image and Cultural Contents) 9: 107–120.

45.

1987: When the Day Comes (1987). Directed by Joon-hwan Jang. Seoul: Woojeong Film. 2017.

46.

2009 Lost Memories. Directed by Simyeong Lee. Seoul: CJ Entertainment. 2002.

47.

Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days (Sin-gwa ham-kke: In-gwa yeon). Directed by Yong Hwa Kim. Seoul: Realise Pictures Dexter Studios. 2017.

48.

Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (Joe-wa Beol). Directed by Yong Hwa Kim. Seoul: Realise Pictures Dexter Studios. 2017.

49.

Be with You (Jigeum man-nareo gamnida). Directed by Janghoon Lee. Seoul: Movie Lock; Doseogwan-yeop-studio, Pureunnamu-pictures. 2018.

50.

Bedroom and Courtroom (Saenggwabu wijalyo cheonggu sosong). Directed by Wooseok Kang. Seoul: Cinema Service. 1998.

51.

Believer (Dokjeon). Directed by Haeyeong Lee. Seoul: Yong Film. 2018.

52.

Blood Rain (Hyeol-ui nu). Directed by Daeseung Kim. Seoul: Cinema Service. 2005.

53.

Dark Figure of Crime (Amsu sarin). Directed by Taegyun Kim. Seoul: Film295;Blossom Pictures. 2018.

54.

Default (Gukga budo-ui nal). Directed by Gukhee Choi. Seoul: Yeonghwasa Jip. 2018.

55.

Detective K: Secret of the Living Dead (Joseon myeongtamjeong: Heuphyeol goema-ui bimil). Directed by Seokyun Kim. Seoul: Cheong-nyeon Film. 2018.

56.

Dr. Bong (Dakteo bong). Directed by Kwanghun Lee. Seoul: Hwanggiseong sadan. 1995.

57.

D-War. Directed by Hyeong-rae Sim. Seoul: Yeonggu Art Movie. 2007.

58.

Extreme Job (Geukan jigeop). Directed by Byeong-heon LEE. Seoul: About Film. 2019.

59.

Family Ties (Gajok-ui tansaeng). Directed by Taeyong Kim. Seoul: Blue Storm. 2006.

60.

Fengshui (Myeong-dang). Directed by Heegon Park. Seoul: Jupiter Film. 2017.

61.

Fooled by Love, Hurt by Money (Sarang-e sokgo Don-e ulgo). Directed by Myeongwoo Lee. Gyeongseong: Goryeo yeonghwa hyeopoe; Dongyang geukjang. 1939.

62.

Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (Gonjiam). Directed by Beomsik Jeong. Seoul:Hivemediacope. 2018.

63.

Guns & Talks (Killer-deul-ui suda). Directed by Jin Jang. Seoul: Cinema Service. 2001.

64.

Happy End. Directed by Jiwoo Jeong. Seoul: Myungfilm; Seoul Movie. 1999.

65.

Heavenly Homecoming to Stars (Byeol-deul-ui Gohyang). Directed by Jangho Lee. Seoul: Hwacheon gongsa. 1974.

66.

How to Top My Wife (Manula jugigi). Directed by Wooseok Kang. Seoul: Kang Wooseok Production. 1995.

67.

Hwayi: A Monster Boy (Hwai: Goemul-eul samkin ai). Directed by Junhwan Jang. Seoul: Now Film Inc.; Pinehouse Film. 2013.

68.

Innocent Witness (Jeung-in). Directed by Han Lee. Seoul: Movie Lock; Doseogwan Studio. 2018.

69.

Intimate Strangers (Wanbyeokhan tain). Directed by Jaegyu Lee. Seoul: Film Monster. 2018.

70.

JSA (Gongdong gyeongbi guyeok JSA). Directed by Chan-wook Park. Seoul: CJ Entertainment. 2000.

71.

Keys to the Heart (Geugeonmani nae sesang). Directed by Seonghyeon Choi. Seoul:JK Film. 2018.

72.

Let’s Play Dharma (Dalmaya nolja). Directed by Cheolgwan Park. Seoul: Cineworld. 2001.

73.

Love Me Once Again (Miweodo dasi hanbeon). Directed by Soyeong Jeong. Seoul:Hanjin heungeop. 1968.

74.

Madame Ae-ma (Aema buin). Directed by Inyeop Jeong. Seoul: Yeongbang yeonghwa. 1982.

75.

Marrying the Mafia (Gamun-ui yeong-gwang). Directed by Heungsun Jeong. Seoul:Taewon Entertainment. 2002.

76.

Memories of Murder (Sarinui chueok). Directed by Joon Ho Bong. Seoul: Sidus. 2003.

77.

Minority Opinion (Sosu uigyeon). Directed by Seong-je Kim. Seoul: Harimao Pictures. 2015.

78.

Miss Baek (Misseu baek). Directed by Jiwon Lee. Seoul: Yeonghwasa Bae. 2018.

79.

Mister Mama (Miseuteo mamma). Directed by Wooseok Kang. Seoul: Sin Cine. 1992.

80.

My Boss, My Hero (Du-sa-boo-il-che). Directed by Jegyun Yun. Seoul: Janis Entertainment; Film G. 2001.

81.

My Love, My Bride (Na-ui sarang na-ui sinbu). Directed by Myeongse Lee. Seoul:Film Momentom. 1990.

82.

My Sassy Girl (Yeobgi-jeogin geunyeo). Directed by Jaeyong Kwak. Seoul: Sinssine. 2001.

83.

My Wife is a Gangster (Jopok Manura). Directed by Jingyu Jo. Seoul: Heonjin cinema. 2001.

84.

Old Boy. Directed by Chan-wook Park. Seoul: Showbox; Egg Film. 2003.

85.

On your Wedding Day (Neo-ui gyeolhonsik). Directed by Seok-geun Lee. Seoul:FilmK. 2017.

86.

Once Upon a Time in the Battlefield (Hwangsanbeol). Directed by Junik Lee. Seoul:Cineworld. 2003.

87.

Only Because You are a Woman (Danji geudae-ga yeojala-neun iyuman-eulo). Directed by Yujin Kim. Seoul: Ye Film. 1990.

88.

Our Joyful Young Days (Gippeun wuri jeolmeun-nal). Directed by Changho Bae. Seoul: Taeheung yeonghwa. 1987.

89.

Public Enemy (Gonggong-ui jeok). Directed by Wooseok Kang. Seoul: Cinema Service. 2002.

90.

Silenced (Dogani). Directed by Dong-hyuk Hwang. Seoul: Samgeori Pictures;Pantajio. 2011.

91.

Snowpiercer (Seolguk yeolcha). Directed by Joon Ho Bong. Seoul: Moho Film, Opus Pictures, Union Investment Partners; Prague: Stillking Films. 2013.

92.

Sopyonje (Seopyeonje). Directed by Kwon-taek Im. Seoul: Tae-heung yeonghwa. 1993.

93.

Springtime of Mimi and Cheolsu (Mimi-wa cheolsu-ui cheongchun seukechi). Directed by Kyu-heong Lee. Seoul: Danseong yeonghwasa. 1987.

94.

Svaha: The Sixth Finger (Sabaha). Directed by Jaehyeon Jang. Seoul: Filmmaker R&K (Oeyu-naegang). 2019.

95.

Swiri. Directed by Jegyu Kang. Seoul: Kangjegyu Films. 1999.

96.

Tell Me Something. Directed by Yunhyeon Jang. Seoul: Coo&See Film. 1999.

97.

The Accidental Detective 2: In Action (Tam-jeong-2). Directed by Eonhee Lee. Crepictures. 2018.

98.

The Age of Success (Seong-gong-si-dae). Directed by Sun-woo Chang. Seoul:Hwanggiseong Sadan. 1988.

99.

The Attorney (Byunhoin). Directed by Woo-suk Yang. Seoul: Wideos Film; Will Entertainment. 2013.

100.

The Cemetery under the Moon (Wolha-ui gongdong myoji). Directed by Cheolhui Gwon. Seoul: Dong-a heunghang. 1967.

101.

The Client (Uiroein). Directed by Yeong-seong Son. Seoul: Cheongnyeon Film. 2011.

102.

The Drug King (Mayak-wang). Directed by Minho Woo. Seoul: Hivemediacope. 2017.

103.

The General’s Son (Janggun-ui adeul). Directed by Kwon-taek Im. Seoul: Taeheung yeonghwasa. 1990–1992.

104.

The Good, The Bad, The Weird (Joeun-nom, nappeun-nom, isanghan-nom). Directed by Jee-woon Kim. Seoul: Bareunson; Yeonghwasa Grim. 2008.

105.

The Great Battle (Ansiseong). Directed by Gwangsik Kim. Seoul: Yeonghwasa sujak;Studioaennew. 2018.

106.

The Host (Goemul). Directed by Joon Ho Bong. Seoul: Yeonghwasa cheongeoram. 2006.

107.

The Korean Peninsula (Hanbando). Directed by Wooseok Gang. Seoul: KnJ Entertainment. 2006.

108.

The Last Witness (Choehu-ui jeungin). Directed by Dooyong Lee. Seoul: Sekyeong Yeonghwa. 1980.

109.

The Marriage Life (Gyeolhon i-ya-gi). Directed by Ui-seok Kim. Seoul: Ikyeong yeonghwasa. 1992.

110.

The Negotiation (Hyeop-sang). Directed by Jongseok Lee. Seoul: JK Film. 2018.

111.

The Road to the Race Track (Gyeongmajang ga-neun gil). Directed by Seonwoo Jang. Seoul: Taeheung yeonghwa. 1991.

112.

The Spy Gone North (Gong-jak). Directed by Jongbin Yun. Seoul: Yeonghwasa wolgwang; Sanai Pictures. 2017.

113.

The Wailing (Gokseong). Directed by Hong-jin Na. Seoul: Sidemirror; Fox International Production (Korea). 2016.

114.

The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion (Ma-nyeo). Directed by Hunjeong Park. Seoul:Yeonghwasa Geumwol. 2018.

115.

To the Last Day (I saeng-myeong dahadolok). Directed by Sang-ok Sin. Seoul: Sin Film. 1960.

116.

To You from Me (Neo-ege na-reul bonaenda). Directed by Seonwoo Jang. Seoul:Gihoeksidae; IU Yeongsang. 1994.

117.

Train to Busan (Busanhaeng). Directed by Sang-ho Yeon. Seoul: Yeonghwasa Red Peter. 2016.

118.

Unbowed (Bureojin hwasal). Directed by Ji-young Chung. Seoul: Aura Pictures. 2011.

119.

Untold Scandal (Seukaendeul: Joseon-namnyeo-sangnyul-jisa). Directed by Jaeyong Lee. Seoul: Yeonghwasa Bom. 2003.

Korea Journal