Gwangju uprising in literature and cinematography of South Korea: to the 40th anniversary of the 18 May 1980 events

Affiliation:
Associate Professor, School of Asian Studies, National Research University Higher School of Economics
Research Fellow, Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow

Arina Shchinova

Occupation: Lecturer
Affiliation: School of Asian Studies, HSE University
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow

Journal name

Asia and Africa Today

Edition

Issue 1

Pages

74-78

Abstract

The May 18 1980 Democratic Uprising in Gwangju is one of the most tragic events in South Korean history. Beginning with peaceful demonstrations against the imposition of a state of emergency by the Chung Doo Hwan military regime across the country on May 17, the use of firearms by the Korean army against protesters led to an escalation of the conflict, armed resistance of Gwangju citizens to the authorities. After the suppression of the uprising, preserving memory of it became a significant task of the democratic movement.

Over the past 40 years, the policy of remembering the Gwangju Uprising has undergone significant changes. At present, the memory of Gwangju is maintained through regular commemoration ceremonies organized by the government in the largest cities of the Republic of Korea on May 18 annually, the creation of memorial complexes, memory societies, and school education.

Literature and cinematography play an important role in preserving the memory of the Gwangju uprising. Based on the analysis of poetic literature and contemporary cinema, the article shows which themes and images about the Gwangju Uprising are dominant today, and why it has a special place in the national identity of Koreans. South Korean cinematography shows the Gwangju Uprising as a historical tragedy and tries to reconcile both sides of the conflict - citizens and soldiers.

Traumatic memories of May 18 are like an open wound that can be neither forgotten nor neglected through generations. In South Korean movies, survived participants of the Gwangju uprising still suffer from post-traumatic syndrome while former soldiers cannot get rid of guilt that destroy their identity and life.

Keywords

May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising, South Korea, memory, commemoration, Korean cinema, literature

Received

11.02.2021

Publication date

26.02.2021

Number of characters

18491

Cite

GOST	Kim N., Shchinova A. Gwangju uprising in literature and cinematography of South Korea: to the 40th anniversary of the 18 May 1980 events // Asia and Africa Today – 2021. – Issue 1 C. 74-78 [Electronic resource]. URL: https://asaf-today.ru/S032150750013625-9-1 (circulation date: 19.03.2025). DOI: 10.31857/S032150750013625-9
MLA	Kim, Natalia, Shchinova, Arina "Gwangju uprising in literature and cinematography of South Korea: to the 40th anniversary of the 18 May 1980 events." Asia and Africa Today 1 (2021):74-78. DOI: 10.31857/S032150750013625-9
APA	Kim N., Shchinova A. (2021). Gwangju uprising in literature and cinematography of South Korea: to the 40th anniversary of the 18 May 1980 events. Asia and Africa Today (1), pp.74-78 DOI: 10.31857/S032150750013625-9

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