The Return of Director Chung Ji-young: A Witness to History

Director Chung Ji-young, known for his sharp insights into the hidden sides of history and society, is back with his latest work. His new film, 'My Name', serves as a voice for history that has been trapped in silence for decades.

Throughout his career, Chung has used film to point out social contradictions and give the public food for thought. In this new project, he applies his unique perspective to ensure that history is felt not just as a past event, but as a truth we must face today.

Healing the Deep Scars of the Jeju 4.3 Incident

The central theme of 'My Name' is the Jeju 4.3 Incident (a series of tragic events between 1947 and 1954 on Jeju Island where many civilians were killed during armed conflicts and suppression). For a long time, this incident was a painful topic that society avoided mentioning.

Much like the saying, "A nation that forgets its history has no future," this film offers deep comfort by calling out the names and stories of the victims one by one.
  • Victim's Perspective: Captures the unspeakable pain individuals endured within a massive historical event.
  • Search for Truth: Reconstructs distorted or buried circumstances through cinematic imagination.
  • Solidarity in Memory: Conveys a message that by remembering tragedy together, we ensure it never repeats.

The Social Message and Significance of the Film

This movie goes beyond simple documentation to aim for the healing of scars (the process of embracing painful memories and restoring the heart). It is similar to a family finally sharing a dark secret to soothe each other's hidden pain.

For those of us living in modern society, this film emphasizes the 'duty to remember.' Through the screen, Director Chung calls out the names we must not forget, awakening us to ensure that past sacrifices were not in vain.

Ultimately, 'My Name' is about reclaiming lost identities. It suggests that finding these names is the path to restoring the identity (the unique qualities that remain unchanged) of our shared history.