[Radio Dayz]

             The film Radio Dayz (2008), directed by Ha Gi-ho, depicts the story of the first Korean radio broadcasting station in 1933 (during the colonial era). By introducing the episodes that take place in the JODK Kyungseong Broadcasting Station, the film shows a different form of resistance of nationalist Koreans in the colonial period. With the change that occurred in colonial policy, from the Military Rule (bundan seiji) to Cultural Rule (bunka seiji) nationalists no longer solely rely on violent measures to fight against the Japanese power (Robinson, 54). Although it is mentioned in M.Robinson’s work that Japan’s goal in implementing bunka seiji was to slowly assimilate Korea culturally (Robinson, 54), cultural nationalists (such as K in the film) utilized radio to spread cultural consciousness within the country (Robinson, 55). In fact, prior to reading the text, I personally thought that radio broadcasting will mainly benefit the Japanese colonial power; however, its role as maintaining Korean cultural traditions and the Korean language was interesting to note (Robinson, 63).

             The different female characters in the movie were also intriguing. While there was a clear division between traditional women and new women, some characters seemed quite unclear to me. The wife of Mr. Roh (the writer) could simply be described as a traditional woman who wears traditional clothes and takes care of household chores (despite the gender relation between Mr.Roh and her). Myeongwol, a gisaeng, who performs traditional music and wears hanbok (also plays the role of a typical traditional woman, Yongsim) and Marie, the jazz singer is represented as a modern woman. However what about Soondeok? She seems to be present in solving different kinds of problems that the radio team faces (for example, she plays the minor role, helps the writer come up with a new story line, etc.) Could she be described as a character who is transforming into a new woman (becoming more independent)? What about the lady who runs the coffee shop? She is the financial provider for Taekukdan; economically speaking, she is in a more dominant position than K, but she is always behind the scenes, not directly/physically involved in carrying out the Taekukdan plans. She seemed to be more similar to Min from YMCA Baseball team rather than Park from Blue Swallow.

             Last but not least, there were couple of scenes that showed parodies of K-dramas were fun to look at (e.g., Something happened in Bali) and the story of PPL, fighting over more lines in the drama reminded of a K-drama called On Air (2008). The incorporation of contemporary K-drama seemed anachronistic to me; what could have been the director’s intention in covering the K-drama?