150039 UE Women's Depiction in the Korean Cinema (2023W)

The primary aim of this course is to examine the changing images and roles of Korean women throughout literature and Korean films so to understand Korean society’s past and contemporary period.

The first session is projected as an analysis of the female characters of Park Kyŏngri’s novel, The Daughters of Kim’s Pharmacy. By reading this novel, students are expected to reflect on the different roles embodied by women: mothers, daughters and wives. This exercise should constitute a glimpse into the way Korean women were trapped by customs, superstitions and their own thoughts. Students will be given the task of preparing a report on a topic to be presented on the last day.

In the second session, we will look at Korean women as daughters and human beings not bound by any public set role and their transformation throughout Korean films: Bound by Chastity (1962), The Daughters of Kim’s Pharmacy (1962), Homebound (1967), Yeong-ja’s Heydays (1975), Eungyo (2012).

In the third session, the focus is shifted to Korean women as mothers and wives and their evolution throughout Korean films: Parade of wives (1974), Suddenly in the Dark of Night (1981), A Dwarf launches a Little Ball (1981), Gilsotteum (1985), Happy end (1999).

The last session will be devoted to talk about what type of female image students retained from the Hallyu culture. Students would be expected to present their report, mentioned above.

This course includes lectures, discussions and presentations. Students should have prepared all the suggested readings before the lectures and are expected to be ready to discuss them. Attendance is mandatory.