The Portrayal of Women in Park Chan-wook’s Films— Using Decision To Leave as an Example

Abstract

The “patriarchy” that has developed throughout Korean history, and human civilization as a whole, has lasted for millennia. This systematic, structured and unjust system of male domination over women has conferred a higher status, value and privilege on men. These institutions and behaviours form the conceptual framework of sexism, and at the heart of patriarchy is the maintenance and rationalisation of male privilege and power. Several of Park Chan-wook’s highly representative women’s films in recent years have stood up to observe society from a woman’s point of view, creating a new image of women. This essay takes director Table Chan-wook’s latest work, The Resolution to Break up, as an example, and discusses the image of women in Park Chan-wook’s films. Park Zan- wook creates a special and tense female image with the highly contrasting character of Song Seo-rae. Furthermore, he uses this unique female figure as a leading narrative to create a film that highly combines romance, thriller and suspense. As well as the main character Song Seo-rae, a typical oriental woman, she shows the consciousness of women’s self-awareness in modern society, facing up to her emotions and making choices in her relationships, who is no longer a traditional female figure who can be swayed by her emotions.