spiritual salvation in a form of popular culture

Abstract

This study is an attempt to look into the issues of spiritual issues in the form of popular culture. Like the Western society where popular culture became main axes of dealing with spiritual issues in the process of secularization of religion, Korean popular culture frequently bring up spiritualism. Because of old traditional religious backgrounds, it often come up with superstition. This study will focus on two Korean films, "Secret Sunshine" (2007 by Changdong Lee) and "Thirst" (2009 by Chanwook Park) which demonstrate serious interest in human salvation at the same time critique of contemporary christianity. They are not religious films per se, but art films made by most well-known movie directors internationally as well as domestically. Both films were awarded in Cannes Film Festival which is the most prestigious prize in the world.Two films have different stories and themes in addition to visual styles and genres. Yet, these two share fundamental spiritual issues such as human position vis a vis God; sin and salvation; problems with contemporary church; human desires and Christian morality. Because these films made by famous artists, there are many reviews and critiques as well as academic papers. Also there were enormous public debates on the films. However, I believe, religious background that the Korean society peculiarly hinges on would be an important part of the films. Complex narrative structure and symbols hinder viewers concentrating and understanding films which brought up major criticism and debates. Psychological and philosophical aspects of Korean church and christianity would provide clues to revalue the films and to review the Korean christianity. This may lead to finding a way of reforming problems that Korean churches are facing and to giving implications to christian crisis in other societies.