Ban on a Successful South Korean Film

A South Korean film that received significant acclaim at international film festivals has been banned in South Korea. The reason for this ban is a lengthy scene of lovemaking between an elderly man and woman in the film. The film 'I’m Too Young to Die' directed by Park Jin-Pyo is based on a true story that describes the love of a couple in their seventies. After meeting each other, they fall in love; the man teaches the woman writing, and the woman teaches him singing; they marry in a simple ceremony and share their love. This last subject has somewhat disturbed those involved in South Korean cinema. Despite the film's praise at the Cannes Festival in France and invitations to film festivals around the world, the Korean Media Rating Board deemed the film 'inappropriate for public screening.' The evaluators objected to a seven-minute scene of lovemaking between the couple. The film was granted a 'limited' screening permission, which means it could only be shown in pornographic film theaters, and since such theaters do not exist in Korea, the film is effectively considered banned. The board's decision was not unanimous, and three members of the board resigned in protest against this decision. However, the board defended its decision, stating that the sexual scene violated permissible boundaries. The film's director refused to cut or digitally alter the scene. A group of young South Korean filmmakers issued a statement accusing the board of stifling freedom of expression and overstepping its duties. The board's decision also sparked a discussion about how the elderly are treated in a society deeply rooted in Confucian teachings. Tradition depicts the elderly as dignified individuals, far removed from such matters, with needs different from the young. Dr. Kim Suk-san, who works at the Korean Welfare Foundation, praised the film for challenging preconceived stereotypes of the elderly, stating that traditionally, it is thought in Korea that elderly people should not engage in lovemaking. Despite the fact that the elderly still have feelings and sexual desires, young people largely do not understand this due to ignorance. Therefore, the topic of elderly sexual feelings has always been taboo and forbidden. According to Dr. Kim, the film 'I’m Too Young to Die' is an educational and positive film.