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unterwegsimkoreanischenD
unterwegs-im-koreanischen.de
This review may contain spoilers
Touching. Exciting. Stylish. Passionate. Atmospherically dense, especially regarding the 1930s
For me, "Chicago Typewriter" needed a second attempt. The first time I didn't really know what to do with it. ...A smart spring chicken, but somehow paranoid writer, spoiled by success and money, and a cute girl as his fan? The story - fancy as it may come along - at first glance appeared a bit all too playfully shallow for my taste. I wasn't convinced. Although I actually really like actor Yoo Ah-in.
Actually, I was mainly curious about the past (around 1930 when ´Korea´ was a colony of Japan). One of "Chicago Typewriter"'s two storylines is set in the context of the 1930's Gwangju student movement. With regard to the KDrama´s historical plot line though, it felt like nothing really happened for a long time. Accordingly, when I first had tried to watch "Chicago Typewriter", I didn't make it past the "beginning". However, somehow I kept stumbling across this KDrama and it wouldn't let go off me. Eventually I gave it another try. Lo and behold, with a little patience, the KDrama took me by the hand and developed an exciting story with a lot of passion and atmospheric density, especially when it came to the 1930s. The insight into that time had lasting impressions. Still, the relationship dynamics between the leads especially in the present time story line sometimes were little too light-weight, harmless and on the verge of silliness for my taste. However this was perfectly balanced in the context of their mission in the past and got more profound as the story proceeded.
------------------------- SIDE NOTE: --- Japanese colonialism ---
During the 1930s Japanese imperialism had reached its peak. In relation to Korea, a rigorous policy of assimilation, using force if necessary, was pursued, e.g. the Korean language, culture and history were systematically suppressed as part of a Japanese colonial education. The first Gwangju student movement, which culminated in a nationwide anti-Japan demonstration, happend in November 1929 after a female Korean student having been molested by Japanese students. This attack was certainly not the first, but the Korean student movement had formed in such a way that a large-scale street demonstration in Gwangju spontaneously took place after this incident. The mood swept across the whole country...
-------------------------
As a premise, the KDrama plays with the concepts of reincarnation and the concept of spirits remaining in near-earth realms after their death, until their unresolved past experiences are somehow redeemed. Both are popular motifs that are often picked up in KDramas. In this case, the producers have created a particularly beautiful and profound story, especially with regard to redemption. In 2017, the characters get a second chance, so to speak: they have the choice of whether they want to continue in their familiar pattern or make new decisions. There´s an opportunity to reconcile past guilt or open questions, to let go of the energy that still hangs in the past and to move on in the NOW. This aspect of time jumps is unabashedly and creatively juggled with an undeniable love for details. One of the protagonists, whose spirit since 1930 hasn´t been able to leave the earthly realms, becomes the connecting and driving force that knots both timelines. A special charm: The ghost from back then becomes a "ghostwriter" in 2017 when he meets his reincarnated comrades-in-arms. Another punchline: the title "Chicago Typewriter" is ambiguous, referring both to the typewriter as a "weapon" (with typed words) of the student underground movement, and to the Thompson machine gun - a rapid-fire weapon that was fashionable at the time, its nickname being areference to its characteristic rattling sound when launched.
As the story progresses, the rhythm of the present day being intertwined with the past - in the form of sudden memories or dreams - accelerates. The faster the time jumps, the higher the tension rises. It's actually going to be really dramatic, both in the past AND present...
In sum: the KDrama is giving you a clear idea of living under Japanese colonialism and of the resistance movement that rebelled against it. "Chicago Typewriter" is also a feast for the eyes in terms of fashion and equipment - both 2017 and 1930! "Chicago Typewriter" is first and foremost a moving story about friendship. And not to forget: a touching love story ...
Actually, I was mainly curious about the past (around 1930 when ´Korea´ was a colony of Japan). One of "Chicago Typewriter"'s two storylines is set in the context of the 1930's Gwangju student movement. With regard to the KDrama´s historical plot line though, it felt like nothing really happened for a long time. Accordingly, when I first had tried to watch "Chicago Typewriter", I didn't make it past the "beginning". However, somehow I kept stumbling across this KDrama and it wouldn't let go off me. Eventually I gave it another try. Lo and behold, with a little patience, the KDrama took me by the hand and developed an exciting story with a lot of passion and atmospheric density, especially when it came to the 1930s. The insight into that time had lasting impressions. Still, the relationship dynamics between the leads especially in the present time story line sometimes were little too light-weight, harmless and on the verge of silliness for my taste. However this was perfectly balanced in the context of their mission in the past and got more profound as the story proceeded.
------------------------- SIDE NOTE: --- Japanese colonialism ---
During the 1930s Japanese imperialism had reached its peak. In relation to Korea, a rigorous policy of assimilation, using force if necessary, was pursued, e.g. the Korean language, culture and history were systematically suppressed as part of a Japanese colonial education. The first Gwangju student movement, which culminated in a nationwide anti-Japan demonstration, happend in November 1929 after a female Korean student having been molested by Japanese students. This attack was certainly not the first, but the Korean student movement had formed in such a way that a large-scale street demonstration in Gwangju spontaneously took place after this incident. The mood swept across the whole country...
-------------------------
As a premise, the KDrama plays with the concepts of reincarnation and the concept of spirits remaining in near-earth realms after their death, until their unresolved past experiences are somehow redeemed. Both are popular motifs that are often picked up in KDramas. In this case, the producers have created a particularly beautiful and profound story, especially with regard to redemption. In 2017, the characters get a second chance, so to speak: they have the choice of whether they want to continue in their familiar pattern or make new decisions. There´s an opportunity to reconcile past guilt or open questions, to let go of the energy that still hangs in the past and to move on in the NOW. This aspect of time jumps is unabashedly and creatively juggled with an undeniable love for details. One of the protagonists, whose spirit since 1930 hasn´t been able to leave the earthly realms, becomes the connecting and driving force that knots both timelines. A special charm: The ghost from back then becomes a "ghostwriter" in 2017 when he meets his reincarnated comrades-in-arms. Another punchline: the title "Chicago Typewriter" is ambiguous, referring both to the typewriter as a "weapon" (with typed words) of the student underground movement, and to the Thompson machine gun - a rapid-fire weapon that was fashionable at the time, its nickname being areference to its characteristic rattling sound when launched.
As the story progresses, the rhythm of the present day being intertwined with the past - in the form of sudden memories or dreams - accelerates. The faster the time jumps, the higher the tension rises. It's actually going to be really dramatic, both in the past AND present...
In sum: the KDrama is giving you a clear idea of living under Japanese colonialism and of the resistance movement that rebelled against it. "Chicago Typewriter" is also a feast for the eyes in terms of fashion and equipment - both 2017 and 1930! "Chicago Typewriter" is first and foremost a moving story about friendship. And not to forget: a touching love story ...
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