New music video teaches Korea’s young about Gwangju Massacre

Posted on : 2013-01-10 15:25 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
Director thought more Koreans need to learn the history of the fight for democracy

By Jo Ae-in, staff reporter

A music video inspired by the Gwangju Democracy Movement is enjoying tremendous popularity online.

The music video “That’s My Fault,” which was released on Jan. 7 by new group Speed, passed 200,000 views on YouTube on Jan. 9, only two days later. The audio track has also garnered a massive amount of interest, reaching the top ten on music site Melon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gxMvAa2V1Q

The video is set during the Gwangju Uprising, which took place on May 18th, 1980, when the soldiers enforcing martial law were arbitrarily imprisoning students. It tells the story of several young men who give their lives to rescue their girlfriends, who had been arrested by these soldiers.

Park Bo-yeong, who starred in the film ‘A Werewolf Boy’, plays the lead role with aplomb. When he read the script, he was won over by its quality and agreed to play the role pro bono. Actors Ji Chang-uk and Ha Seok-jin appear as teenagers in their high school uniforms daring to fight with soldiers who are armed to the teeth.

Another reason the video has been getting a lot of press is the fact that Core Contents Media, the entertainment company responsible for Speed, voluntarily suggested that the song be given an adult rating, which would make it only available to those aged 19 and older.

“Since there are scenes with high school students carrying weapons, we thought it would be difficult to avoid a rating that banned viewing for those who are 19 or younger,” said a member of Core Contents Media’s public relations team. “However, the Korea Media Rating Board rated it as suitable for those 15 years and older.”

The music video provides a realistic depiction of Gwangju in 1980, featuring tanks and 700 extras cast as soldiers and demonstrators.

“It’s My Fault” closely reflects the sentiments of Core Contents Media President Kim Gwang-su, aged 52. Kim got people talking with his production of the music videos of “If I Leave,” theme song for the drama Empress Myeongseong, and Jo Seong-mo’s “Do You Know?” “If I Leave” is based on the assassination of Empress Myeongseong, while “Do You Know?” is set during the Vietnam War.

“I thought it was a real shame that young people nowadays know nothing about the Korean War or the Gwangju Democratization Movement,” Kim said. “I wanted to show them through my music how young people lived during that time, and the turbulent period that came before the sun of democratization finally dawned on Korea.”

The music video for “It’s My Fault” was produced in two segments. The second part is scheduled to be released on Jan. 15.

 

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]

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