Reel Korea: Melbourne’s First-Ever Korean Film Festival Celebrates the Magic of K-Cinema

Reel Korea: Melbourne’s First-Ever Korean Film Festival Celebrates the Magic of K-Cinema

November 2, 2024 Catherine Williams - Chief Editor Entertainment

[앵커]

Thanks to the popularity of high-quality Korean cultural content such as ‘Parasite’ and ‘Squid Game’, interest in Korean movies is also strong in Australia.

The first Korean film festival held in Melbourne, southern Australia, was attended by locals looking for Korean films they could trust and watch.

Reporter Youngcheol Yoon captured the joyful enjoyment of our culture on camera.

[기자]

One by one, the empty seats are filled by the audience.

There are quite a few local Australians who came from far away to see Korean movies.

This is the site of the 1st Melbourne Korean Film Festival, which opened in Melbourne, Australia.

From director Lee Jun-ik’s masterpiece ‘The King and the Clown’ to ‘A Taxi Driver’, which is set against the backdrop of the May 18 Democratization Movement.

11 outstanding Korean films met Australian audiences.

There was also time for director Lee Jun-ik of the opening film ‘The King and the Clown’ to talk directly with the audience.

Director Lee emphasized that he feels with his whole body that the response to Korean films has developed into a greater favorability than before.

[이준익/영화감독 : 20년 전에 제가 ‘왕의 남자’를 해외에서 상영할 때는 저게 뭐지 하는 신기해하는 눈이 더 많았다면, 이제는 (해외 관객들이) 한국 영화는 이제 우리 얘기 같다는 친밀한 느낌을 많이 받는 것 같습니다. 지난 20년 동안 제가 외국에서 영화를 많이 상영하는 현장에서 그 차이를 느껴왔습니다.]

Previously, a special exhibition was held in Melbourne last July to collect and screen only Korean horror films.

About 100 people visited the theater for each movie, and it was such a success that there were almost no seats available at some times.

Local experts say that the influence of Korean content such as ‘Parasite’ and ‘Squid Game’ has created trust among Australian audiences that they can trust and watch Korean movies.

[리스 굿윈/호주 영상 센터 큐레이터 : 호주의 영화 관객들은 새로운 한국 영화에 두터운 신뢰를 느끼고 있고, 지난 수십 년 동안 한국 영화 산업이 그 신뢰를 쌓아 왔다고 생각합니다. 호주 관객들은 한국 영화를 선택할 때 망설임 없이 선택할 수 있어요. 영화가 좋을 것이란 것을 알고 있고, 매우 신뢰할 수 있는 영화 제작 국가라는 것을 알고 있죠.]

Australians’ special affection for Korean films is expected to continue in the future.

This is Youngcheol Yoon from YTN World in Melbourne, Australia.

YTN Yoon Young-cheol (bgy0614@ytn.co.kr)

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