Episode 109: The Wailing(곡성) Review (Media)

Описание: This week Jun and Daniel dive deep into a media review of "The Wailing" (곡성), the critically acclaimed 2016 Korean horror film directed by Na Hong-jin. They begin by unpacking the clever wordplay behind the Korean title—"Gokseong" doubles as both the name of the real Korean city where the film is set and the Chinese character meaning "wailing." The hosts explore the film's complex narrative structure, debating whether the mysterious Japanese man is truly a demon or just an unfortunate scapegoat, analyzing the deacon character's true motivations, and discussing the tragic ending where the protagonist's choices lead to devastating consequences. They examine the film's commentary on faith, superstition, and mob mentality, while also touching on the masterful cinematography, the haunting shaman ritual scene, and the unforgettable performances.

If you're interested in understanding why this film is considered one of Korea's most important horror achievements, how Korean shamanism and religious syncretism create the story's ambiguity, why the film's open-ended interpretation makes it endlessly rewatchable, or Daniel's instant regret watching a horror film late at night in the dark, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! This episode also features discussion about recognizing famous Korean actors (including Hwang Jung-min, one of Korea's top movie stars), comparisons to The Blair Witch Project, and reflections on how the film uses the real city of Gokseong as its setting.

As a reminder, we publish our episodes bi-weekly from Seoul, South Korea. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey!

[Chapters]
0:00 Intro
7:48 Synopsis
9:07 City Name
10:58 Koreans and Christianity
12:26 Dried Herb Scene
13:19 Hunting Culture in Korea
17:02 Zombies
18:25 Ocarina Scene
24:34 빤스
27:07 Comedic Moments
27:39 Perception of Cops
30:35 Girl Throwing Rocks At Police
31:59 Japanese Man
34:20 Police Tape
35:53 Lightning Strike Scene
37:00 Foggy Mountain Scenery
38:40 Perception of Mudangs
41:43 Mudang Performance Scene
43:25 Christianity in Korea
48:17 Theme of the Movie
57:21 Perception of Foreigners in Korea
01:02:20 뭣이 중헌디
01:05:23 International Appeal Rating
01:09:06 Extras