Tae Guk Gi (the name of the ROK national flag) follows the fortunes of two brothers, Jin-tae and Jin-sŏk during the Korean War. Jin-tae, the older brother, is a shoemaker, who works tirelessly to provide enough money for the younger, Jin- sŏk, to go to college. Their hopes and dreams, however, are shattered when both are forced to join the ROK army at the outbreak of the Korean War. The movie follows the brothers through the war. Questions: 1. Explain Jin-tae (the older brother)’ action before and after his conscription to the military by using Confucian ethics. 2. How does this film define the Korean War? According to this film, what was the Korean War about? Which scene/dialogue does convey this message the best? 3. Who is the hero of this film? Explain your answer. 4. Released in 2004, this film had tremendous commercial success in South Korea. It also led to the production of many more Korean War-related movies later there. What does this film’s success and tell us about South Korea in the 2000s?
