Page 51 - Blog 2015 - Korea in Canada

KoREa In Canada
KoREa-Canada Blog 2015

reunify more than 10,000 families who were separated during the Korean War.

The significance of the movie, as director Je-kyun Youn has noted, is its bare portrayal
of facts. during its production, director Youn conducted multiple interviews with Vietnam
War veterans, nurses and coal miners from West germany, among others, to regenerate the
starkness of reality. Images of coal miners eating steamed potatoes underground and families
rejoicing their reunification with their lost loved ones are among the many scenes that bring
quiet tears to the viewers’ eyes. The emotional appeal transcends any generational divide,
as the older generation gets to look back at their difficult past while the younger generation
can remind themselves of the sacrifices made by their parents.

The movie starkly shows that Korea’s economic
success was not a “miracle.” In every image, there is
an unspoken message paying tribute to the efforts
made by the country’s each and every citizen whose
goal was to leave for their children a better place
to live. The movie concludes with a poignant
remark by the protagonist:
“How thankful am I, that it was not my children
but I who was born to live through these difficult
times…” (“힘든 세월에 태어나, 이 힘든 세상 풍파를
우리 자식이 아니라 우리가 겪은기 참 다행이라꼬”)

This year marks the 70 th anniversary of Korea’s
Independence. While it is an opportunity to celebrate the country’s
achievements, it is also an opportunity to say thanks to our mothers, fathers and our
grandparents for the sacrifices they had made to help build this country. Perhaps, ode to
My Father is one among many ways to express our sense of gratitude and appreciation.

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