Park Kwang-Hyun Symbolism

What first appears to be a film about war and the separation between the two Koreas is, in actuality, a heartfelt comedy that touches on the innocence and good that exists in all people. Park Kwang-hyun uses not only technical camera movements and graphics to explain these themes, but he also incorporates symbolism and thoughtful timing in dialogue, presentation, and delivery. Park Kwang-hyun has a cinematic style all his own. Although Hayao Miyazaki inspired his film, there are clear differences in not only color but also in the composition of each shot. Park uses the vertigo effect often to bring drastic attention to a character, for example during the Boar hunting scene. Although shot on a green screen, the cinematographer worked to bring attention to facial expression of actors, and to provide some comedic relief to an otherwise serious story. Park also used a great deal of slow motion, as well as shallow depth …show more content…
The first and most obvious symbol is the white butterfly. In many stories and in folklore, butterflies represent metamorphoses and change. Koreans believe that butterflies are a sign of hope and happiness. White is also an important color for Koreans as family members of the deceased wear it during funerals. During the film, whenever the tempo of a story changed or a discovery was made, a white butterfly floated onto the screen. Occasionally these white butterflies would appear together and gather depending on the character and situation. At the beginning of the film, a white butterfly causes trouble for a pilot, and causes him to crash. At that time, the butterfly represented fear of the unknown and negative circumstances. As the film progressed, the identity of the butterfly changed into a positive and uplifting sign for the villagers and the outsiders. The butterflies guide people to Dongmakgol and ultimately to a happier