Breaking the mold of the female: a case study of park chan-wook's decision to leave (2022)

• Main Author: Ji, Ludanyang
• Other Authors: Ella Raidel
• Format: Thesis-Master by Research
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2025
• Subjects: Arts and Humanities; Feminist film studies; Korean film; Cinematic analysis; Park Chan-Wook
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/182797
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The prominence of South Korean film in the global film market has surged in recent years, with a notable focus on feminist themes and gender equality. Films featuring rebellious female characters have captured international attention and acclaim. This study explores the portrayal of feminist themes through the character Seorae in the South Korean film Decision to Leave (2022). Seorae exemplifies the recent advancements in the Korean film industry and its aesthetic standards. Through various cinematic elements, such as casting, screenplay, and filming techniques, she has become a quintessential representation of a rebellious female character. Director Park Chan-Wook, a pioneer in South Korean film noir, collaborated with female scriptwriter Chung Seo- kyung to craft many chaotic, angry, humorous, violent, and vulnerable female characters for two decades from 2002, establishing a distinctive creative style. By analyzing the female character Seorae, this research aims to research the construction of feminist themes in South Korean cinema. The study examines how Park Chan-wook's artistic choices, including the casting of the leading actress, color and art strategies, sound design, and camera shot language, contribute to the creation of Seorae's character. This research not only highlights the interplay between feminist theory and cinematic aesthetics but also provides practical insights for future filmmaking. The conclusions drawn from this study offer new perspectives on the portrayal of female characters and contribute to the ongoing discourse on gender equality in cinema.