Month: September 2018

Train to Busan (부산행)

Event: IA Movie Night featuring Train to Busan

Date: Monday, September 17, 2018 in the Smith side basement

Train to Busan (부산행) Korean Movie Poster

The film, Train to Busan (부산행) directed by Yeon Sang-ho, was not at all what I thought it was going to be. To be completely honest, I had no idea what to expect in the first place but when I saw a strange woman boarding the train looking sickly and ravenous, that definitely wasn’t it. My initial reaction was one of skepticism, what exactly was I watching? As the film continued on though, I realized just how action packed, thrilling, and yet emotional it was all at the same time. I was interested to find out more.

Personally, I find myself incredibly interested in the subject pertaining to East Asia, its culture, and how popular media takes form. Upon doing my own research, I discovered that the movie was made as an allegorical response to both South Korea’s MERS (Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome/Disease) and economic disparity of 2015. I find it interesting that the creative head behind the film chose a zombie movie to reflect on the outbreak, but also oddly fitting. The quick exposition that immediately throws us into the rapid spreading of zombification throughout the train cars must have been just about how quick MERS spread throughout Korean cities.

On another note, the film is also particularly critiquing of Korean society as a whole. If observed closely, you can easily see how certain themes are portrayed within the movie. Relating to the film, I came to find out that during the MERS epidemic, Korean government did not inform its citizens on very important information such as where people were being treated and what efforts they would use to contain the outbreak. Korean people have themselves come to realize the change that had occured in the few years before, some saying that they have to “recognize [they] are pretty selfish,” and that they “don’t trust anyone but [them]selves.” I think Su-an’s father, Seok-woo, is a prime example of the government and even the sole individual being selfish and only trusting themselves. His job as a fund manager doesn’t play much part, but when Seok-woo scolds his daughter for giving up her seat in the train car to an elderly woman telling her only to watch out for herself, it truly highlights the cruel dog-eat-dog world we are in.

Watching Train to Busan didn’t necessarily change any beliefs or perspectives of mine, rather it just gave me more knowledge on a subject that I’m already pretty knowledgeable in. The impact that Train to Busan left on Korea, being a widely well received and original film, extends into my own studies of the culture of Korea. I haven’t yet been able to reach the topic of film and visual culture yet in my Korean Culture courses. Train to Busan opened a window for me to explore a new aspect that I hadn’t before, one that I will admit I thoroughly enjoyed.

Year in Review

[ “Year in Review”  is where you should reflect on the past year and show how you have evolved as a person and as a student.  You may want to focus on your growth in a particular area (as a leader, scholar, researcher, etc.) or you may want to talk about your overall experience over the past year.  For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

G.O.A.L.S.

[ “G.O.A.L.S.” is a place where students write about how their planned, current, and future activities may fit into the Honors & Scholars G.O.A.L.S.: Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement. For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.

  • Global Awareness: Students cultivate and develop their appreciation for diversity and each individual’s unique differences. For example, consider course work, study abroad, involvement in cultural organizations or activities, etc.
  • Original Inquiry: Honors & Scholars students understand the research process by engaging in experiences ranging from in-class scholarly endeavors to creative inquiry projects to independent experiences with top researchers across campus and in the global community. For example, consider research, creative productions or performances, advanced course work, etc.
  • Academic Enrichment: Honors & Scholars students pursue academic excellence through rigorous curricular experiences beyond the university norm both in and out of the classroom.
  • Leadership Development: Honors & Scholars students develop leadership skills that can be demonstrated in the classroom, in the community, in their co-curricular activities, and in their future roles in society.
  • Service Engagement: Honors & Scholars students commit to service to the community.]

Career

[“Career” is where you can collect information about your experiences and skills that will apply to your future career.  Like your resume, this is information that will evolve over time and should be continually updated.  For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

Artifacts

[Artifacts are the items you consider to be representative of your academic interests and achievements. For each entry, include both an artifact and a detailed annotation.  An annotation includes both a description of the artifact and a reflection on why it is important to you, what you learned, and what it means for your next steps.  For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

About Me

[Your “About Me” is a brief biographical statement that might include your intended major, your academic interests, your goals, as well as the things that make you unique.  Definitely include a picture! Also, remember that you can always update this post at any point. For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]