Global status ‘Minari’ and ‘Pachinko’, ‘Korean diaspora’ outside the mainstream

Korean content is no longer fringe. The movie ‘Minari’ and the Disney+ series ‘Pachinko’ are raising their status by captivating global audiences and viewers. At the center are Korean American directors and actors.

At 2 p.m. on the 6th, a press conference for 'Korean American Special Exhibition: Korean Diaspora' was held at the KNN Theater in Suyeonggangbyeon-daero, Haeundae-gu, Busan, with 'Minari' director Lee Isaac Chung, director Justin Jeon, who directed 'Pachinko', and John Cho, the protagonist of the movie 'Search'. , Steven Yeun, the star of the Netflix drama 'Angry People', attended.

On this day, former director Justin said, "I am really happy to meet Director Lee Isaac Chung of 'Minari' for the first time at the Busan International Film Festival," and added, "I am glad that my white colleagues are now trying to form more consensus about Korean movies, art, entertainment, etc. There is also content to be introduced. “There are a lot of them, and I’m interested in what kind of things can come out of our Korean culture and what things are different,” he said.

John Cho looked back on the past when it was not easy to be cast as a Korean American. He started the story a little simply, saying, '"All the people we see are white, so how about a face like mine? Isn't that too strange?'" He continued, "At the time, great people like my colleagues next to me were doing the right thing. “I wasn’t cast,” he said. Steven Yeun, who heard this, encouraged him and said, "I have respect for him who had such a burden as an actor and as a person."

John Cho continued, "Everyone knows that before us, there were no Asian actors on TV or in movies in the United States. However, such alienation and difficulties have already passed to the point where it seems like they are in the past. What I want to say is that recently, Korean Americans, Asians, etc. “American writers are becoming more active in fiction and non-fiction. They have already built a reputation in academia, and I am happy that they are building it in the arts as well,” he said with a smile.

Those who drew a lot of attention by drawing immigrant stories said, "Not only in Korea, but all immigrants and minorities are forming a common solidarity."

Isaac Jeong and Justin Jeon said, "I get a signal that says, 'I am not alone.' It's the same when I meet immigrants from Armenia or India. Everyone tells their stories, builds empathy, and feels connected. We are not alone. “I think about it,” he said.

Steven Yeun and John Cho also spoke out about the Hollywood strike. Steven Yeun said, “It is a privilege just to be able to tell this story here,” and added, “It has a great impact on creators in an environment where the business of the film and series industry is changing. I want to guarantee the future of many creators and become a safety net.” "he said.

Jonjo said, “In the entertainment industry, as in other industries, there is a thing called automation. Humans are being replaced by machines, and there are points where people cannot do their work because of AII.” He added, “Art is an expression of the human mind.” “If I go to see a movie, I want to see works written by people and storytelling about human experiences,” he said.

He said, “I believe that the field of art and the ability for people to express their emotions should not be taken away by AI.” "For that to happen, there needs to be a corresponding amount of compensation. We need to create a system so that we can continue to create well," he said.

This ‘Korean American Special Exhibition: Korean Diaspora’ was planned to provide an opportunity to look in depth at the world of work by Korean-American filmmakers active in Hollywood and to provide an opportunity to reexamine the position of the American film industry.

This year's new film 'Zamozaya' (2023) by director Justin Jeon, who co-directed 'Fast Lives' (2023), a hot film at this year's Sundance Film Festival, and the drama 'Pachinko' (2022), which gave actress Yoon Yeo-jeong the Best Supporting Actress Award at the 93rd American Academy Awards. Director Lee Isaac Chung's 'Minari' (2020), director Lee Chang-dong's 'Burning' (2018), winner of the International Federation of Critics Award at the 71st Cannes Film Festival, 'Columbus' (2017), which features actor John Cho's passionate performance, and 'Search' ( As of 2018), a total of 6 movies can be seen.

However, due to the Screen Actors Guild's strike, actors John Cho and Steven Yeun were unable to attend the GV.

Meanwhile, at this year's Busan International Film Festival, a total of 269 films, including 209 officially invited films from 69 countries and 60 community beef screenings, will meet the audience. The opening film was 'Because I Hate Korea' (Director Jang Geon-jae) starring Go Ah-seong, Kim Woo-gyeom and Joo Jong-hyuk, and the closing film was 'The Emperor of Movies' (Director Ning Hao) starring Yoo Deok-hwa.

Busan Choi Ji-ye, Ten Asia reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr