[YMCA Baseball Team]

       

       The film YMCA Baseball Team, directed by Kim Hyun-seok in 2002, introduces Choseon’s first baseball team in the early 1900s (based on a real story). It is also the period when Japan was colonizing Korea; more specifically, 1905 is the year the Japan-Korea Treaty (Eulsa Treaty) was signed. (“The treaty deprived Korea of its diplomatic sovereignty and made Korea a protectorate of Japan” Wikipedia)

 

Although it is mentioned in H.H.Em’s work that the concept of “the collective ‘self’” (336) existed before the term minjok was introduced in Korea, “the Kingdom of “unified” Silla, Koryo, and Choson” did not put much effort in nationalizing its people (338). In fact, the reading explains the importance of nationalizing the subjects was emphasized with the start of Japanese colonialism period (339). During the colonial period, divisions among people existed: pro-Japanese collaborators who welcomed Japanese power and those who fought against the colonial power, and the division that existed from social hierarchy. This can be seen in the movie, where Kwang-tae’s father is described as a “traitor of the country” for being a pro-Japanese collaborator. Tension exists between the people who mourn death of Jeong-rim’s father and pro-Japanese group (Kwang-tae’s father, the Japanese general and Japanese soldiers). Moreover, even if the official acknowledgement of social hierarchy was gone by 1905, the idea lingered within people’s mind. For instance, Byeong-hwan (yangban) looks down on Seong-han (chonmin) who once worked as a servant of his house. At first, Seong-han also treats him as his superior, calling him “young master” (doryeunnim). However, through the YMCA baseball team, the two become unified and work together for the team’s victory.

The use of sport as a means of unifying the people also reminded me of the 3S policy implemented by Chun Doo-hwan. By arousing interest in 3S fields (screen, sport, sex/speed), Chun was able to continue his dictatorship as a result of people’s ignorance in politics. Furthermore, the unification of Koreans brought on by the World Cup in 2002 was amazing. In the case of the film, the Koreans become integrated by forming the YMCA baseball team, and their victory against the Japanese team brings hope to all Koreans.