In the movie, Flu: Avian flu spreads from Vietnam to South Korea, director Kim Sung-su illustrates a fictional reaction of the citizens, government, and world towards the outbreak of H5N1 virus. The film tackles themes such as mass hysteria, Western dominance in Korea, panic, and sacrifice. This paper will include a synopsis of the film, and speculate on and attempt to answer the question about the political relationship between the Korean and American governments. Specifically, how much intervention should the United States be allowed in Korea, if any?
The avian influenza is brought to the suburb of Bundang, located 10 miles away from Seoul, Korea, by illegal immigrants from Vietnam who are trafficked into the city in a shipping container. …show more content…
At one critical moment, an infected mob breaks out from quarantine. The American general orders an airstrike with American fighter jets to bomb the Korean citizens. However, among the crowd is the young girl who potentially carries the cure to the virus. The president of Korea argues that he is the official supreme commander of Capital Defense and is ready to order missiles to shoot down the jets. As a result, the American forces back down, claiming victory for the Koreans. This draws the question of Korean sovereignty, and its right to act for itself. What is the Korean sentiment that this film portrays?
The history of Korea shows its massive dependence on the United States, such as American assistance in reconstructing the nation after the Korean war, or stimulating economic growth. However, since there is U.S. military base in Seoul, Americans have an undeniable military presence in Korea. Foreign control in country can be unsettling and uncomfortable for the residents of their home country. The film shows a strong stance on Korean independence that resonates among the citizens of South Korea. Perhaps, it is to demonstrate that is finally time for South Korea to make its own decisions for its own
The avian influenza is brought to the suburb of Bundang, located 10 miles away from Seoul, Korea, by illegal immigrants from Vietnam who are trafficked into the city in a shipping container. …show more content…
At one critical moment, an infected mob breaks out from quarantine. The American general orders an airstrike with American fighter jets to bomb the Korean citizens. However, among the crowd is the young girl who potentially carries the cure to the virus. The president of Korea argues that he is the official supreme commander of Capital Defense and is ready to order missiles to shoot down the jets. As a result, the American forces back down, claiming victory for the Koreans. This draws the question of Korean sovereignty, and its right to act for itself. What is the Korean sentiment that this film portrays?
The history of Korea shows its massive dependence on the United States, such as American assistance in reconstructing the nation after the Korean war, or stimulating economic growth. However, since there is U.S. military base in Seoul, Americans have an undeniable military presence in Korea. Foreign control in country can be unsettling and uncomfortable for the residents of their home country. The film shows a strong stance on Korean independence that resonates among the citizens of South Korea. Perhaps, it is to demonstrate that is finally time for South Korea to make its own decisions for its own