Mass appeal
Two South Korean movies are currently racing to break all box-office records. Silmido is the true story of South Korean commanders in the early 1970s who were trained to infiltrate the North, while Taegukgi tells of two brothers tragically caught in the crossfire during the Korean war.
Silmido has attracted 10 million moviegoers, a South Korean record, since its release at the end of last year, while more than 5 million people have seen Taegukgi in less than one month. It is predicted to eventually break Silmido's record.
In other words, both movies will have been seen by one in four South Koreans. And they are expected to be exported to Japan and elsewhere - at record prices.
But what makes them so successful? Obviously, they are well made. And the division of Korea is always a powerful theme, whether in film or novel format, given that it continues to affect the life of every Korean.
But experts have another explanation for the films' success - so-called cultural collectivism. According to the theory, South Koreans like to share the same feelings and emotions; it is a type of crowd psychology that derives from people's tendency to follow others.
This collectivism is good for uniting people with a nationalistic and patriotic bond. But in the process of monolithic integration, individualism and diversity is often lost.
It makes South Koreans conformists who are afraid of bucking the trend; it is no coincidence that people on the streets of Seoul dress alike. They tend to follow the same fashions, trends and lifestyle. Sometimes, this works positively for the country. As millions of youngsters race to buy the latest electronic gadgets, such as mobile phones, in order not to be left behind, manufacturers prosper and the industry expands. In fact, this is one reason why South Korea has emerged as an internet and information technology powerhouse.
But culturally and spiritually, the nation is increasingly becoming monotonous. Facing the Orwellian totalitarian society north of the demilitarised zone, South Korea needs more diversity to prove the supremacy of its democratic system.
Without diversity, individual creativity is sacrificed. And this collectivism often suppresses dissenting views that can sometimes make for a healthier society. That is why not everyone is happy about the enormous success of the two films.
