E2024-G030

Stories That Remember May: Films and Dramas Depicting the May 18 Democratic Uprising

Narrative

The May 18 Democratic Uprising was a historic event in which citizens of Gwangju rose up against the military regime in May 1980 to fight for democracy. This event has served as the historical backdrop for numerous films and dramas, among which several works have received particular attention.

The film May 18 vividly depicts the formation and resistance of the civilian militias who fought against the violent suppression carried out by the martial law forces. It stands out as a representative work that brought the tragic reality of the time to public attention. A Taxi Driver is based on a true story told through the perspective of German journalist Jürgen Hinzpeter (1937-2016), who entered the blockaded city of Gwangju and reported the truth to the world. The documentary Kim-Gun follows the search for the identity of “Kim Gun (Mr. Kim),” a member of the civilian militias, and explores how ordinary citizens became central figures in history.

Other works such as 26 Years, A Petal, A Peppermint Candy, and Scout, along with dramas like Youth of May and Sandglass, also portray the May 18 Democratic Uprising directly or focus on individuals living in its aftermath. These “May-themed contents” serve as cultural vehicles that carry the historical significance of the May 18 Democratic Uprising into the present.