@article{ART003401396},
author={Lee Heeryang},
title={Historical Scars and Ethical Reconfiguration- Xie Jin and Im Kwon-taek in 1980s Trans-East Asian Cinema},
journal={Journal of Popular Narrative},
issn={1738-3188},
year={2026},
volume={32},
number={3},
pages={461-490},
doi={10.18856/jpn.2026.32.3.013}
TY - JOUR
AU - Lee Heeryang
TI - Historical Scars and Ethical Reconfiguration- Xie Jin and Im Kwon-taek in 1980s Trans-East Asian Cinema
JO - Journal of Popular Narrative
PY - 2026
VL - 32
IS - 3
PB - The Association of Popular Narrative
SP - 461
EP - 490
SN - 1738-3188
AB - This study examines how Chinese and Korean cinema of the 1980s reconfigured the scars of historical violence in everyday life and human relationships, focusing on Xie Jin’s Reflection Trilogy and Im Kwon-taek’s Gilsotteum. The two countries faced different historical conditions: China was officially reassessing past political errors after the Cultural Revolution, while national division continued to shape South Korean society. Yet both directors explored historical wounds through everyday relationships involving family, love, and labor.
Xie Jin’s trilogy portrays the reintegration of politically persecuted individuals into everyday life, while revealing the losses and traces of violence that persist after rehabilitation. In particular, Hibiscus Town uses melodrama to translate political violence into everyday ethics and emotions, making historical wounds accessible to audiences. By contrast, Gilsotteum evokes the emotions of reunion generated by the 1983 televised search for separated families, while showing that the confirmation of blood ties does not necessarily restore family relationships.
Despite their different paths of reintegration and renewed separation, both directors leave historical wounds unresolved. This study thus examines how Chinese and Korean popular cinema of the 1980s used melodrama to situate past wounds within present relationships and explore life and ethics in the aftermath of historical violence.
KW - Xie Jin;Im Kwon-taek;historical scars;melodrama;Trans-East Asia;ethical reconfiguration
DO - 10.18856/jpn.2026.32.3.013
ER -
Lee Heeryang. (2026). Historical Scars and Ethical Reconfiguration- Xie Jin and Im Kwon-taek in 1980s Trans-East Asian Cinema. Journal of Popular Narrative, 32(3), 461-490.
Lee Heeryang. 2026, "Historical Scars and Ethical Reconfiguration- Xie Jin and Im Kwon-taek in 1980s Trans-East Asian Cinema", Journal of Popular Narrative, vol.32, no.3 pp.461-490. Available from: doi:10.18856/jpn.2026.32.3.013
Lee Heeryang "Historical Scars and Ethical Reconfiguration- Xie Jin and Im Kwon-taek in 1980s Trans-East Asian Cinema" Journal of Popular Narrative 32.3 pp.461-490 (2026) : 461.
Lee Heeryang. Historical Scars and Ethical Reconfiguration- Xie Jin and Im Kwon-taek in 1980s Trans-East Asian Cinema. 2026; 32(3), 461-490. Available from: doi:10.18856/jpn.2026.32.3.013
Lee Heeryang. "Historical Scars and Ethical Reconfiguration- Xie Jin and Im Kwon-taek in 1980s Trans-East Asian Cinema" Journal of Popular Narrative 32, no.3 (2026) : 461-490.doi: 10.18856/jpn.2026.32.3.013
Lee Heeryang. Historical Scars and Ethical Reconfiguration- Xie Jin and Im Kwon-taek in 1980s Trans-East Asian Cinema. Journal of Popular Narrative, 32(3), 461-490. doi: 10.18856/jpn.2026.32.3.013
Lee Heeryang. Historical Scars and Ethical Reconfiguration- Xie Jin and Im Kwon-taek in 1980s Trans-East Asian Cinema. Journal of Popular Narrative. 2026; 32(3) 461-490. doi: 10.18856/jpn.2026.32.3.013
Lee Heeryang. Historical Scars and Ethical Reconfiguration- Xie Jin and Im Kwon-taek in 1980s Trans-East Asian Cinema. 2026; 32(3), 461-490. Available from: doi:10.18856/jpn.2026.32.3.013
Lee Heeryang. "Historical Scars and Ethical Reconfiguration- Xie Jin and Im Kwon-taek in 1980s Trans-East Asian Cinema" Journal of Popular Narrative 32, no.3 (2026) : 461-490.doi: 10.18856/jpn.2026.32.3.013
