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South Korean cinema 2000-2010: A masculinity in crisis?

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posted on 2022-03-28, 15:39 authored by Gareth John James
This thesis provides a cohesive account of the changing face of masculine representations in the cinema of South Korea between 2000 - 2010. During this period, the presentation of male characters in South Korean films went through a period of substantial change. Due to several external factors, including the decline of the Hong Kong film industry following the British hand over to China, the South Korean industry was able to rise to prominence from the compromised position created by the division of the peninsula. Traditionally South Korean masculinity - as analysed in the work of such theorists as Lee Hyangjin and Kim Kyung-hyun - has been considered to be in a state of recession. This condition was thought to reflect the peninsula's inferior position in 20th century world politics. However, in the 21st Century South Korea's image - both on screen and off - has experienced both repair and prosperity. This has been very much reflected in the industry's dramatic shift in masculine iconography. Gone are the traditionally wounded and pathetic masculine characters and in their place are sleek suited male representations portrayed by such internationally acclaimed stars as Song Kang-ho, Choi Min-sik and Lee Byung-hun. Through insight into the trends and dynamics of gender featured in the works of Gender Studies theorists including RW Connell, combined with analysis of numerous films, this thesis provides a fully comprehensive critical analysis of South Korean screen masculinity. The thesis shows how this masculinity has been transformed from a wounded, recessive gender model to one of the most dominant and thriving models on the world stage. It also attempts to provide a global perspective on many of the theories tied to issues of South Korean masculinity through comparison to similar examples in both East-Asian cinema and beyond.

History

Table of Contents

Introduction -- Chapter 1 - Theoretical reflections of South Korean Screen -- Chapter 2 - The Hermit Natin -- Chapter 3 - Masculinity and the Nation in JSA, Silmido and Brotherhood of War -- Chapter 4 - Politics, recessive masculinity and the legacy of Student Era Cinema in Memories of Murder,The Host and Mother -- Chapter 5 - Violence, Fantasy and Global Capital in The Foul King, A Bittersweet Life and I Saw The Devil -- Chapter 6 - Masculinity in Conflict in Sympathy for Mr. Vemgeance, Thirst and Oldboy -- Chapter 7 - Gender relations in Samaritan Girl, 3-Iron and Time -- Conclusion.

Notes

Theoretical thesis. Bibliography: pages 305 - 327

Awarding Institution

Macquarie University

Degree Type

Thesis PhD

Degree

PhD, Macquarie University, Faculty of Arts, Department of Music, Media and Critical Cultural Studies

Department, Centre or School

Department of Media, Music, Communication and Cultural Studies

Year of Award

2018

Principal Supervisor

John Potts

Rights

Copyright Gareth John James 2018 Copyright disclaimer: http://mq.edu.au/library/copyright

Language

English

Extent

1 online resource ([4], 327 pages)

Former Identifiers

mq:71309 http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/1273029

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