Is the Korean film industry focused on the reflection of the issues connected to the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer)?
One of the most widespread features of the Korean movie industry is the abundance of the sexual and sometimes vulgar episodes. The reason for creating the movies with gay or lesbians is that the LGBTQ are facing some challenges and discrimination in the country. The drama The King and the Clown reflects the relationships to gays in the society. The film is about the connection between the jester and the king. A good-looking jester magnetized the king. However, it should be stressed that the movie does not show provocative scenes. Gong-gil has a talent for being an actor. Being on the half way to execution, he managed to satisfy the king and enter new adventures full of candid performances, and love.
How the modern Korean movie industry reflects the attitude towards gay?
There is no common idea regarding the attitude towards gays in Korea. As the matter of fact, the society in the country is more conservative, and the vast majority of older people are sure that the increasing number of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer is the result of the influence of the progressive Western countries. According to the recent researches, most of the children keep their sexual orientation in secret from parents. The topic received the highest popularity nowadays, and that is, is reflected in the movie production. However, it worth stating that gays and lesbians are the essential part of the Korean history. The problematic nature of the issue is discovered in the movie Hello My Love. Hyo-Jung is a scenario writer. She waits for her boyfriend to return from France where he spent two years. Having long-lasting relationships, Hyo-Jung expects her boyfriend to make a proposal. However, Won-Jae comes back not alone. Dong-hwa is his new love. Hyo-Jung was shocked but aims to save friendships. After the public discovered their secret, the friends lose the connection. At the end of the movie, they meet again, and there is a hint that there is a possibility for the gay relationship to continue. The movie proves that the public opinion matters and influences the life of people who cannot handle or change their sexual orientation in a significant way.
What is an attitude towards gay people in Korea and how is it reflected in the film industry?
There are not so many ways for a gay to meet a partner. In Korea, all the gay bars and clubs are hidden, as it is believed to be not acceptable from the point of view of the society. The connection with the LGBT groups is weak (Shaw par. 7). Discrimination became a significant issue in the Korean community. As the matter of fact, the movie production usually reflects every process that is going on in the country. Hello My Love proves that not everyone is ready to accept homosexuality as a normal phenomenon. The opinion of the society can destroy relationships as it happened in the movie. However, the movie makes a hint that maybe in future gays will have equal rights, will be respected, and will not hide.
Work Cited
Shaw, Sarah. “Gay in Korea: An Interview with an American Expat Living in Seoul.” Mapping Words. 2013. Web.