Journal of Acupuncture Research

Korean Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine Society (대한침구의학회)
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Analysis of the Meaning of Acupuncture in the Korean Movie "Mother" Through Interviews with Movie Professionals

영화 "마더"를 통해 본 침의 의미 분석 -영화인들을 대상으로 하여-

  • Kim, Song-Yi (Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Park, Gyu-Tek (Department of Direction, Tyle C&P) ;
  • Lee, Hak-Min ;
  • Park, Hi-Joon (Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Lee, Hye-Jung (Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Chae, Youn-Byoung (Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University)
  • 김송이 (경희대학교 한의과대학 침구경락과학연구센터) ;
  • 박규택 (Tyle C&P 연출부) ;
  • 이학민 ;
  • 박히준 (경희대학교 한의과대학 침구경락과학연구센터) ;
  • 이혜정 (경희대학교 한의과대학 침구경락과학연구센터) ;
  • 채윤병 (경희대학교 한의과대학 침구경락과학연구센터)
  • Received : 2009.11.12
  • Accepted : 2009.11.24
  • Published : 2009.12.20
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Abstract

Objectives : Korean director Bong Joon-ho's movie 'Mother' is a story about a woman who struggles to save her son from an indictment of murder. This movie premiered at the 2009 Cannes film festival. The present study aimed to investigate the various roles of acupuncture in the plot from the perspective of movie professionals, including critics, writers and producers. Methods : We investigated the meaning of acupuncture as a subject matter in this movie. Participants who work in the film industry or are studying film were included. Survey questions were organized in a two part open-ended questionnaire and in multiple-choice form. The questionnaires were distributed via e-mail or the subjects were contacted directly. Results: In this movie, acupuncture serves at least three roles. The first role it serves is as a symbol of the mother role in her son's life and in her community. Acupuncture also works as a conduit for communication and a means of earning a living for the mother. She strives to clear her son's name by discovering the real murderer through performing acupuncture. Finally, the acupuncture box is crucial in the son's understanding of the mother's role in the crime. Seventy-nine percent of those surveyed responded that acupuncture was an important motif in this movie. Conclusions : These findings, in addition to those of previous studies, suggest that acupuncture can serve as a useful context for mass communication in media. The understanding of the meaning of acupuncture in the movie provides useful information on the perception of acupuncture modality today.

Keywords

References

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