Korean Job Discussion Forums

Cedar · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 11:07 pm Post subject: Movies- female heroines

So, I'm in a class on the character of the Trickster, and I wanted to write about characters of women in Korean films who serve as trickster-types because they are upsetting established social order (as in Yeopgijeokin Kunyeo, I can't remember the English name at the moment- that Bizarre Girl? and "Shigan" (remaking oneself entirely, that's bizarre and trickster-ish, esp in how it backfires on her), and talk about changes in Korea society through the lens of this type of character in Korean cinema. However I haven't been watching that many movies lately, and i'm only in Korea in the summer, so... can anyone tell me other obvious movies/heroines I should look at including? I thought it might be interesting to contrast this type of heroine with the characters of strong women who are taught how to behave properly through the film (like "My wife is a gangster" or "A Virgin Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors"). Anyway, suggestions or brainstorming help much appreciated.

Shauneyz · Joined: 26 May 2008 Location: The land of Nod

Good lord, what kind of awesome teaching gig do you have?

The only obvious female heroines in film I can think of right this second are the chick in Lady Vengeance (korean flick) and, of course, Beatrix in Kill Bill. I don't know how well they fit what you're trying to teach...I'll think about it throughout the day.

Faunaki · Joined: 15 Jun 2007

The main chick in Shiri is pretty awesome. Love the movie. Love the chick.

EuroFunk · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: jobless in Busan

I only can think of Resident Evil and Silent Hill. They both are video game to movie conversions.

nuthatch · Joined: 21 Feb 2008

2005 tv movie series:

My Name is Kim Sam-Soon / My Lovely Sam Soon (KBFD-TV)

about the pressures in Korea for women be 30 or more

it is very famous and they all would know about it

crsandus · Joined: 05 Oct 2004

English name of the above mentioned movie: My Sassy Girl

Cedar · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:25 pm Post subject:

Anyone else? The question is specifically for TRICKSTER like characters. I think that Kim Samsun doesn't count, she's too willing to accept societal dictates (get married, lose weight). However Daejanggeum's heroine learning medicine might sort of be tricksterish if she hadn't been such a milksop the rest of the time.

Shauneyz · Joined: 26 May 2008 Location: The land of Nod

+ Fifth Element

moosehead · Joined: 05 May 2007

google can be your friend

doc_ido · Joined: 03 Sep 2007

I haven't seen that many Korean films, but one that might be relevant is called The Two Faces of my Girlfriend (두 얼굴의 여친). It's about a girl who has a split personality - one nice and one evil. Ultimately the character goes back to being "normal", but she does a lot of order-upsetting when in "evil" mode.

seoulsucker · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 10:50 pm Post subject:

Kim Hye-soo in the film "타짜" (Ta-cha)...she plays a woman who fleeces high-rolling gamblers. You get to see her awesome booooobage in the movie as well. Those should be on the list of Korean national treasures.

Cedar · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 10:34 pm Post subject:

thanks doc ido and seoul sucker, those are good suggestions.

and to the smarty-pants who said google can be your friend- my post is the first result, what does that tell you about the intersection of trickster and Korea?

aboxofchocolates · Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Location: on your mind

How about ghost movies? They're pretty sinister for tricksters but they're damn close. You want Korean women upsetting the established social order there is a slew of korean horror movies that will provide. And they generally get their come-uppins in the end. Sometimes they even have gay people! I saw one with a gay high school boy and another with a gay high school girl. It's pretty interesting stuff.