[Movies Review] DPRK Movies, Or How Great Is Our General!

 

The first 10 movies I will be presenting here, were completely random, maybe except for "The Flower Girl". I just watched what generator actually shown. That's why those are movies mainly from the 80s and 90s. With the next 10, I will try to be more selective (maybe Bulgasari, who knows), however I don't promise I will watch "The Sea of Blood" once again.

OK, let's parachute into the arms of a... tractor driver.

 

[First Impression] On The Verge of Insanity

I understand this might not be everyone's cup of tea, because it tells the story of workers trying to survive during mass layoffs and uncertainty because of their job. As side stories, this drama adds other social issues that we usually don't like to think about.

 

[Review] Baekhee Has Returned

This is a 4-part drama that aired last year, and last month I stumbled upon it and then, completely spontaneously, I decided to give it a go. And despite the style of it being over-the-top comedy, this little series is pretty heavy from all the social issues it tackles.
The review is short, don't expect any in-depth analysis.

Media and Condemnation by Memory in the Internet Age

 There was a good article appearing in Korea Focus, dealing with recent scandal in Korea on top levels. This is why I think it's worthwhile to read a lot of words.

Vanity conquers all

A woman holding a designer handbag crosses a street in this undated file photo. Many Korean female consumers crave designer bags with the belief that the high-end accessories, fake or genuine, make them appear richer than they actually are.

 I understand where this trend comes from, but it's kind of alarming.

Dear Sherlock K-Netizens

   I am writing you while completely smitten by your detective skills. Not only this, but keen eye and sharp Paint skills as well, which I lack and wish to improve (you became my role model, you see). I have always heard those stories about you, oh great K-Netizens but they seemed to be nothing more but myth that grows around an unreachable person. Oh how wrong was I! I will repent my silly mistake for ever and ever until the seas go dry (and you will probably figure out the cause of it). 

Im Seulong's transition?

One of my great friends likes 2AM, and since I like them too, and I rarely post anything about them (because of no scandals, no weird things etc. only good singing, what a borefest!), this time, Seulong and his slightly different attitude from usual idols.

Want to re-marry hubby? Hell, naw!

source

   The Chosun Ilbo has a great article on the question asked: "would you marry again your present spouse?" And not surprising, many Korean women have second thoughts. Men, of course, are more satisfied with marriage. Well, understandable, since Asian men do nothing except for going to work and women act as slaves housewifes. I don't even want to imagine having kids and working for woman. Under the article on the page there are links to more articles exploring a bit this topic, so you may click if you want.

A school for fathers

By Oh Jung-hun

A few years ago, I enrolled at a school for fathers run by a nonprofit corporation, which issued an honorary certificate after completing the designated courses.

I went there because I couldn't deal with the unexpected friction as my son reached adolescence. In fact, I constantly told my son the same message that every Korean father is forced to work like a slave to provide sustenance in these economically hard times.

One day, soon after I rattled out the verbose advice, it dawned upon me that it would require more time and energy to become a ``qualified” father.

S. Korea ranks 108th in gender equality: WEF report

   I read WTF report, but when I read what kind of neighbours on the list Korea has, I probably stay with WTF. Not that it's something new anyway.

But before slamming, ebbrybody, better to remember that Korea is around US in 60's right now.

The revolution will come. First harbingers of it were thrown already both at Super Junior and lately at Big Bang. So that young korean boys would know (if they haven't already) what condom is and what bra is.

South Korean host bars - for women

Article found on BBC Website, and there is one true statement all wanking people should read if they intend to keep miaouling why Korea is not "as liberal and open as Western countries". Statement that socially S. Korea is around social revolution of the 60's is perfectly worded. 

BTW. that's a long read, beware.

For all ye mates!

Non-traditional families on the rise in South Korea

   An interesting article (translation to be precise) from Asiancorrespondent. 

What I find really amusing though with such articles, is that it's usually demoralized and bad Westerners who are excited if news about Korea show this country is slowly shedding their Confucian skin. There are tons of articles about how women are ineaqually treated, how multiculturalism is crooked, how social/family life is messed up - but in English. I wish half of those articles could be translated into Korean and read by the people there. Maybe then some would finally get that Joseon has already ended some time ago.

Helping young defectors fit in

An article from JoongAngIlbo below. Pictures as well.

So I heard you wanna marry oppa?

Ugly dolls, I know...

   Better think twice, cause in Korea, you marry his whole family. 

I've watched enough of family dramas to know that I do NOT want that. I like my guys from thousands kilometres distance, unreachable... you know E. you're not exactly helping yourself. Most of all - I like myself even more.

Nice, bright but true - and probably kind of unique - story featured in the latest Korea magazine I read. Lady who wrote this is in the better position than most of the Korean women, because she's a foreigner. She was lucky her husband and his family are tolerant, but come on, not every family is like that. 

Sex in Korean Schools

   Actually it's about the education, but this title is more catchy and screams scandals, so forgive me the need for attention to this post. I'm putting this here because one user who mentioned this had Jonghyeon's pic as the icon, so you know... the shower now.

MBC and racial issue

   

   Again. Korean media have to catch up with world trends. However, I have to add one personal statement - I'm not a fan of an over-zealous political correctness. It's plain dumb. It was best shown in one ep. of South Park when they had tests about "what offends you". People had their brain waves recorded by some machine, and the reaction to some words they find "offensive" was measured. And there was this hilarious scene: Christ - nope, chair - nope, camel - f*ck-you-man, that's offensive!!!

Right now we are living in a world when we have to be careful about every damn word. Calling someone lazy when someone is lazy may be seen as highly offensive. Kids nowadays are not lazy and dumb, but dyslectic, dyscalculiac, you name it. When I said once on one forum that if people can't wait for subs that badly, they should learn the language, I was called rude. Not the person who was wailing at subbers. In my country we also make fun of foreigners. Americans make fun of immigrants (Latin America mostly) and no one cares. I'm not saying it's a good thing, but people should just chill about some issues. Making fun of foreigners was always a part of the group character, regardless if it's a country or a tribe. It was "us versus them" game  and mocking was an element of a warfare. We are not afraid of something we can laugh at (oh, anthropology can explain everything^^).

Plus, people should remember one thing - Europe and US had over 200 years to develop democracy with all its faults and pitfalls (counting from French Revolution, sorry to all Greek philisophers). Korea has been in the process of it for merely 20 years. Think, people.