K-Youth
Youth in Korean cinema is a recurring theme – full of energy, rebellion, and unspoken emotions. Korean cinema has been an important part of Five Flavors' identity for years, and this year's program allows us to see how filmmakers have portrayed growing up and coming of age over the decades. K-Youth is a panorama of experiences – from the 1980s, when young Koreans faced oppressive political realities and the suffocating atmosphere of the system, to contemporary productions that draw attention to the dark side of the world of K-pop and the painful struggle with the pressure to succeed.
In the last century, South Korea was a country that had suffered greatly. Still, thanks to widespread social protests, which began at universities in the early 1990s, it chose democracy and emerged as one of the economic Tigers. It entered the 21st century with a plan to build a strong, modern economy, while the global hallyu (Korean pop culture wave) offensive made the world take notice of K-pop, K-dramas, K-cosmetics, and K-food. Korea became fashionable, and its products captured the imagination of teenagers from Buenos Aires to Warsaw. But what lies beneath this colourful surface? In pursuing economic prosperity, have older generations created a good environment for their children to live in? What prospects for work and for a happy life do those who are the future of this country have?
Research indicates that life in South Korea before reaching adulthood is no bed of roses. The pressure of high educational standards, bullying at school, followed by long working hours, the growing gap between the expectations of young Korean men and women leading to a decline in romantic relationships, the lowest fertility rate in the world, a high suicide rate…- these are just a few of the problems that have led young people in this country to start calling it Hell Joseon.
Offering precise social diagnoses, New Korean Cinema does not disappoint here either, placing young people at the centre of its focus. The K-Youth section comprises seven acclaimed titles that paint a panorama of the dreams and fears, opportunities and constraints of young adults in Korea. These are productions from different periods in Korean cinema history, spanning the 1980s to the present day, and employing a range of film conventions, from micro-budget works to big-budget blockbusters known to every Korean. In selecting films for the K-Youth section, we ensured a variety of genres: there are dramas, comedies, and even horror films, as well as stories that portray reality with striking authenticity.
