A panel discussion at the Red Sea Souq market during the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday focused on the “Korean content boom,” including the rise of K-drama and K-pop. However, the chaotic political situation in South Korea over the past few days, including the president’s failure to introduce martial law and the failed attempt to impeach him, did not make the headlines.
A curious crowd gathered at the market in Al-Barad, the old city of Jeddah, where Uhm Tae-hwa, director and screenwriter of the disaster thriller “Concrete Utopia,” Kim Yo-jong, director of the mystery thriller “Somebody,” and director Kim Hyun-soo We heard from the panelists. Thanks to funding and support from KOFIC, the Korean Film Council, and Seo Woo-shik, founder and CEO of Balungsong C&C and veteran producer of Bong’s work, Junho’s Mother and Okja .
Masha Magonova, director of strategy, finance and operations at Library Pictures International, moderated the session, which featured comments translated from Korean into English, Arabic and other languages.
The meeting in Jeddah, which put South Korea in the spotlight, comes days after South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol declared “emergency martial law” ahead of the release of the long-awaited second season of Netflix’s hit “Squid Game.” However, the measure was quickly overturned by lawmakers. On Saturday, Yun apologized and vowed never to impose something like this again. But protesters and political opponents are demanding his resignation. The impeachment vote in parliament late Saturday fell just a few votes short as most of the country’s ruling party members left parliament to boycott the vote.
Seo explained the differences between Hollywood and Korean content. “I think a lot of Korean directors have the instinct to find a commercial and artistic balance. We don’t make Hollywood movies, so we have no choice but to do that,” he said. Ta. “We don’t have the funds. And we have different themes. We’re not creating heroes. We’re creating people who have inner conflicts when they face problems. Therefore, we have to focus on the individual as a human being. I think that’s why Korean films resonate with audiences all over the world.”
The panelists emphasized that their focus is on making movies that are good for Koreans, rather than aiming for content that will spread around the world. He claimed that it was a success in the region.
For example, Seo pointed out that the difference between the haves and have-nots, depicted in Korean hit movies such as “Parasite” and “Squid Game,” is a universally understood theme.
Director Kim said that his film “Somebody” similarly deals with the universal theme of a mother’s love. When asked if she would like to make a Hollywood movie, she replied: But I think that holding on to something truly Korean for Korean audiences will lead to other opportunities. ”
Uhm Tae Hwa similarly said, “It was like a dream to be able to go to Hollywood.”These experiences made me feel that Hollywood was closer than I expected.But I realized that Hollywood is my goal. I’m Korean, and my primary goal is to make films that are loved by Korean audiences. That’s my passion and driving force.”
He continued, “I may actually get an opportunity or an offer, but I won’t accept it just because it’s an American movie, even if I get a request to do an American movie.” “I would like to think about whether I can add value to this film as a Korean filmmaker and make a decision based on that.”
