Korean Cinema and Theology

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

The remarkable growth of the South Korean film industry in recent years has drawn the attention of the wider public. While not always explicit, many distinguished Korean films include theological and religious themes that deserve further analysis and exploration. This course will watch select Korean films and read several texts critical to understanding the theological themes portrayed in the films. Additionally, the course will examine key questions such as how Korean cinema handles theological themes such as sin, forgiveness, redemption, and hope; how a theological understanding of Korean cinema helps or complicates discussions about class and gender/sexuality; and how we can understand the relationship between religion and the public memories of significant events in Korean history—the Korean War, industrialization, social movements, economic development, and globalization—as represented in Korean cinema. Through an examination of these questions, students will develop critical skills in viewing, reflecting on, and writing about film in relation to theology.