Beyond Enemy Lines
Outlook|January 01, 2025
The recent crop of films on North-South Korea relations reflects a deep-seated yearning for the reunification of Korea
Apeksha Priyadarshini
Beyond Enemy Lines

Arosy dawn breaks on the border, where the flags on both sides flutter high. Four North Korean soldiers are trudging along, patrolling the area. One of them is enthusiastically singing along with the South Korean anthem: “Splendid rivers and mountains/Filled with roses of Sharon…/ Great Koreans, to the Great Korean way/Always stay true…” “Do you remember it all?” his Comrade asks him. “We hear the song when the sun comes up and goes down every day. How can I not?” he retorts. “I guess even people from South Korea wouldn’t know all the lyrics,” he adds, with a hint of pride.

In an interview, Park Ji Eun—who has co-written the Netflix miniseries Crash Landing on You (2019)—explained that she was inspired to write the story after the incident of a South Korean actress accidentally going over to the North in 2008. This made her wonder about “the place that was close but forbidden.” “That’s when I realised,” she said, “Is North Korea that close? Is it so close that you can get there after letting your mind slip for a second?”

Directed by Lee Jeong-hyo, Crash Landing on You (2019) reflects a deep-seated yearning for the improbable—the reunification of Korea. The series leads a string of successful films that fall under the umbrella of the “buddy trope” films. As the name goes, these films move past the convention demonising the neighbour. They are marked by a warm curiosity about the other, looking for ways to seek cultural similiarities while exploring the history of differences.

This story is from the January 01, 2025 edition of Outlook.

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This story is from the January 01, 2025 edition of Outlook.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.