Gwageonun Nachseon Nalada

Gwageonun Nachseon Nalada (The Past is a Strange Country) is a 2008 South Korean documentary film directed by Eung-su Kim. The film explores the historical and personal impact of a 1986 protest in Seoul, during which two university students, Kim Se-jin and Lee Jae-ho, died by self-immolation.

Historical Context

On April 28, 1986, Kim Se-jin and Lee Jae-ho participated in a demonstration at the Sinrim crossroads near Seoul National University. The protest addressed issues including forced student conscription and the presence of United States military forces in South Korea. The students' actions and their anti-American slogans were notable for their public nature during that period of South Korean history.

Documentary Approach

The film revisits these events two decades later, contrasting the political climate of 1986 with the geopolitical shifts of the mid-2000s. Director Eung-su Kim utilizes a collaborative interview format, where friends and former comrades of the deceased students participate in discussions. By switching between the roles of interviewer and interviewee, the participants reflect on their memories, the evolution of their personal beliefs, and the broader societal changes that occurred in the years following the incident.

Release and Reception

Gwageonun Nachseon Nalada was released in South Korea on March 6, 2008, with a runtime of 90 minutes. It was featured at the 3rd Korean Film Festival in Paris in December 2008.