Directed by Lee Chang-Dong, the South Korean film Peppermint Candy exemplifies the overall disillusionment that Koreans held towards the brutal Chun Doo-Hwan regime during his political reign in the 1980s. The film crudely illustrates the demise of the country as a whole by following the plight of Kim Young-Ho till his subsequent death through reverse chronological order of present to past. Thus, Lee Chang-Dong utilizes a morose man to illustrate the everlasting effects of the turbulent political period on the protagonist and consequently the nation.
Following the assassination of Park Chung Hee, Choi Kyu-Hah, the prime minister at the time, became the acting president (Seth, 186). However, this new political atmosphere lead to a fight for consolidation of political power amongst individuals. Chun Doo-Hwan, a general, emerged victorious as he along with others seized control of the military power through a coup known as the 12-12 Incident (Seth, 188). This eventually lead to the usurping of power in the government by Chun Doo-Hwan (Seth, 188). In the film, Koreans and specifically Korean students’ reactions towards Chun Doo-Hwan’s rise to power is exemplified in the scene with the television in the …show more content…
The historical symbolism behind Kim Young-Ho’s brutal treatment illustrates the barbaric police and military tactics utilized under Chun as they attempted to obtain information about people who were perceived threats to the government. However, at the start of his career, in the past, when Kim Young-Ho is seen torturing a young man for information, he appears emotionally torn. He is pressured by his colleagues and therefore acquiesces. His initial hesitation illustrates a man of innocence and his demise is symbolic of the strengthening of militaristic power by Chun
Following the assassination of Park Chung Hee, Choi Kyu-Hah, the prime minister at the time, became the acting president (Seth, 186). However, this new political atmosphere lead to a fight for consolidation of political power amongst individuals. Chun Doo-Hwan, a general, emerged victorious as he along with others seized control of the military power through a coup known as the 12-12 Incident (Seth, 188). This eventually lead to the usurping of power in the government by Chun Doo-Hwan (Seth, 188). In the film, Koreans and specifically Korean students’ reactions towards Chun Doo-Hwan’s rise to power is exemplified in the scene with the television in the …show more content…
The historical symbolism behind Kim Young-Ho’s brutal treatment illustrates the barbaric police and military tactics utilized under Chun as they attempted to obtain information about people who were perceived threats to the government. However, at the start of his career, in the past, when Kim Young-Ho is seen torturing a young man for information, he appears emotionally torn. He is pressured by his colleagues and therefore acquiesces. His initial hesitation illustrates a man of innocence and his demise is symbolic of the strengthening of militaristic power by Chun