Period Style in 1950s Korean Cinema: An Exploration of its Influences, Characteristics, and Impact

The period style in 1950s Korean cinema was a distinctive and influential aesthetic that shaped the look and feel of films from this era. This style drew upon a variety of historical influences, including traditional Korean culture, Japanese colonial rule, and American cinema. The result was a unique and eclectic aesthetic that reflected the complex social and political changes taking place in Korea at the time.

Cold War Cosmopolitanism: Period Style in 1950s Korean Cinema

by Christina Klein

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Language	:	English
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Influences on Period Style

The period style in 1950s Korean cinema was influenced by a number of factors, including:

1. Traditional Korean Culture: Traditional Korean culture played a significant role in shaping the period style in 1950s Korean cinema. This influence can be seen in the use of traditional Korean costumes, architecture, and music. For example, the film "The Housemaid" (1960) features a number of scenes set in a traditional Korean home, complete with traditional furniture and clothing.
2. Japanese Colonial Rule: Japanese colonial rule also had a major impact on the period style in 1950s Korean cinema. This influence can be seen in the use of Japanese language, architecture, and customs. For example, the film "The Aimless Bullet" (1960) features a number of scenes set in a Japanese-style restaurant.
3. American Cinema: American cinema also had a significant impact on the period style in 1950s Korean cinema. This influence can be seen in the use of American film techniques, such as close-ups, editing, and lighting. For example, the film "The Red Scarf" (1964) features a number of scenes that are clearly influenced by American film noir.

Characteristics of Period Style

The period style in 1950s Korean cinema is characterized by a number of distinctive features, including:

1. Eclecticism: The period style in 1950s Korean cinema is eclectic, drawing on a variety of historical influences. This eclecticism can be seen in the use of traditional Korean costumes, architecture, and music alongside Japanese and American influences.
2. Nostalgia: The period style in 1950s Korean cinema is often characterized by a sense of nostalgia for the past. This nostalgia can be seen in the use of traditional Korean culture and the depiction of a simpler, more innocent time.
3. Social and Political Commentary: The period style in 1950s Korean cinema often served as a means of social and political commentary. This commentary can be seen in the depiction of poverty, inequality, and social unrest. For example, the film "The Housemaid" (1960) is a scathing indictment of the class system in Korea.

Impact of Period Style

The period style in 1950s Korean cinema had a significant impact on the development of Korean cinema. This style helped to define the look and feel of Korean films and established a number of conventions that would be followed in subsequent decades. In addition, the period style in 1950s Korean cinema helped to raise the international profile of Korean cinema and paved the way for the emergence of a new generation of Korean filmmakers.

The period style in 1950s Korean cinema was a distinctive and influential aesthetic that shaped the look and feel of films from this era. This style drew upon a variety of historical influences, including traditional Korean culture, Japanese colonial rule, and American cinema. The result was a unique and eclectic aesthetic that reflected the complex social and political changes taking place in Korea at the time.