YMCA Baseball Team - South Korean Comedy - Movie Review Example

YMCA Baseball Team; South Korean comedy INTRODUCTION Baseball is a sport that entails the use of a ‘bat and a ball’primarily as the instruments of play. It is played out by two teams consisting of nine players each. The aim is - ‘scoring runs’, by hitting a ball, thrown by the opponent team’s pitcher, with a bat and touching a series of bases; four in number, that are arranged at the corners of a large diamond-shaped field/pitch. Each of the players of the batting team, take turns hitting at the ball, while at the same time the pitcher’s teammates try to stop them from scoring ‘runs’ through several ways. As a sport, baseball has been linked with the struggle for self-rule and self-preservation; this being exhibited in such countries as South Korea and the state of Cuba: - In the former, against occupational rule by the Japanese, while in the latter against occupation and exploitation under Spanish colonial rule. The film “YMCA Baseball team” is based on the true historical aspect that ‘played out’ on the pitch in a hotly contested, emotional and captivating game. Through the game, there was a display of the protracted differences between the colonial Japanese masters and the Korean populace at large. In this movie, hitting the breaking ball by Ho-Chang (main character played by Song Gang-Ho) in the situation that Korean national baseball team was two points behind by Japanese national team in the 9th inning expresses the desire toward liberating from Japanese colonial force and protecting our own tradition. In the film, the hitting of the breaking ball by Ho-Chang (role played by Song Gang-Ho), in the situation where the Korean national baseball team was two points behind the Japanese national team in the 9th inning, expressed the desire towards liberation of the Korean people, from Japanese colonial military rule, and in the preservation and protection of their culture and traditionsi. Japan, as part of its 35-years imperialistic expansion, put Korea under it rule, this being in the form of military occupation. Korea as a whole was occupied and subsequently declared a Japanese protectorate in the year 1905 in the Eulsa Treaty; being annexed in the year1910, to form part of Japanese territory, through the enforcement of the annexation treaty. The Treaty was signed by Lee Wan-Yong; then given the General Power of Attorney by the Emperor Meiji of Japan. It should be noted, it is disputed that the Emperor himself actually signed the Treaty, thus ratifying it. Great-protracted disputes have fanned out as to whether this Treaty was actually genuine or not according to Law, this being because it was signed under the combined use of bribery, duress and even threat of force/coercion. The film titled, “YMCA Baseball Team”; a South Korean comedy film that was released in the year 2002, best illustrated the frustration, will and determination of the Korean People in expressing their desire towards total and sovereign liberation, from the Japanese colonial imperialism, and in the protection and preservation of their Culture/tradition. In this era, was born Korea’s first National Baseball team; named YMCA Baseball Team. It proved to being a great source of ‘Pride and Nationalism’ for the Korean people who, had over the years been humiliated by their forced subservience to the Japanese Empire. The film, directed by Kim Hyeon-seok, primarily, was inspired by the very real-life experiences of the Seoul based YMCA baseball teamii. The film’s cast brings out a ‘mature, thrilling; comical and yet politically captivating atmosphere’ in the film, that encapsulated the very nature of the Korean People, in their quest for sovereignty and self-preservation. The lead cast included: -“ Song Kang-ho as ‘Lee Ho-Chang, the son of a Yangban scholar; Kim Hye-su as ‘Min Jong –rim, the Western educated female coach and teacher at the YMCA School; Kim Ju-hyuk , as a Japanese educated member of the team; Hwang Jeong-min as Ryu Kwang-tae, the son of a pro-Japanese official, and Shin Kin Ho, as Ho-Chang’s father, the traditional head of a Confucian school.” Several interested Koreans and their female coach composed the make- up of the YMCA baseball team. This unlikely group proved to being successful and they quickly rejuvenated the town’s people’s pride. One day, on their way to a practice session, the team was confronted by a group of soldiers of the Japanese military. The soldiers claimed that the team’s practice ground had been turned into a new Japanese training ground. As to settle the ensuing dispute, the game of baseball was agreed upon, and a baseball match soon commenced. To the team, this game was to be a way of establishing the Koreans against Japan and its imperialistic characteriii. Almost coinciding with the period, disputes arose between Korean diplomats and revolutionary thinkers, over the signing of the Treaty of Eulsa. This treaty as noted in the introduction, officially made Korea a protectorate of the Japanese Empire. The team, made up of two revolutionary members of the Anti-Eulsa League, formed in protest of the “Five Eulsa Traitors”, which coincidentally a member of the team’s father belongs to end up losing to the Japanese side. The suppressed tension, between the team members, contributed greatly to the loose. This was seen as a great loss and humiliation, by the team, in their losing the chance to dignify themselves to their Japanese suppressors. The team broke up with each of the team members going on their own individual paths, but later they reunited for a final and quite dramatic rematch against the Japanese team. The ensuing victory that is earned at great sacrifice will and determination, symbolized the Koreans unity in the sport of baseball and in their ability in uniting despite the various socio-cultural issues that affected their changing country. The team’s lack of proper gear and equipment notwithstanding, their great love for the sport ensured a victory against the Japaneseiv. Here, the hitting of the breaking ball by Ho-Chang at the 9th inning, when the Koreans were two points behind their colonialist’s team proved to be both timely and remarkable. The fourth baseball hitter is entitled to advancing to the first base without risking being put out, called “base on balls.” The use of the “defensive strategy” by the Japanese did nothing in curtailing the eventual win of the Korean team who primarily used the “fielding strategy.” After the 9th inning, the winning team usually has the most runs onwards. If the home team is leading after the top of the 9th inning, the play does not continue into the bottom half; and in the case of a tie, there is the presence of additional innings being played until one team comes out ahead at the end of an inning. If the home team, in the bottom of the 9th inning or on any other inning thereafter, takes a lead, the play is stopped and the home team declared the winner. This is what happened after Ho-Chang’s hit at the 9th inning. This, thus, secured the Korean’s well-deserved winv. Japan, previously involved in the region from as early as the year 1876 when the Treaty of Ganghwa (also known as the Japan-Korea Treaty of Amity) was signed during the Josean Korea; a period of Japanese-governance of Korea, had exerted both economic and political pressure on the Korean Peninsula. The Treaty was designed specifically for the opening up of Korea to Japanese trade at the same time ending its influence by China. Three ports were opened to Japanese trade. The above two treaties would years later – 1965 - be declared “null and void” by both the Japanese and South Korean states. The Industrial Revolution and the scientific and technological myriad of inventions helped in actively enabling active and continuous competition between the industrialized Western states. This competition was exhibited in commerce, cultural and geo-political influence and territorial colonialism in t he region of East Asia. Japan, under the Meiji administration, sought to join these modern colonial masters. It was newly modernized and at first tried to annex Korea from China’s Qing Dynasty’s sphere of influence. This was aimed at making Korea a Japanese satellite territory for both its national interests and security. In the year 1905, in the wake of the Russo-Japanese War, Korea was declared henceforth a Japanese protectorate with the treaty of 1910, altering this status and making Korea formally a colony of the Japanese empire. They had vested interests in maintaining their grip on Korea as a Japanese protectorate and they used all means to maintaining this status-quo. The Korean state’s future was bleak and this coincided with great expression of national resentment towards the Japanese. With the ending of the Chosun dynasty, the country’s populace shared two sentiments: - either the path of modernization or going back to the country’s former traditional ways. Foreign influences especially Western influence brought about settlements by no- Korean nationals in Korea. The settlers, Westerners and Japanese had constructed Missionary schools and military garrisons respectively; taking advantage of Korea’s diminishing power, especially the ‘Chosen dynasty era.’ Cultural propagation followed with the founding of the YMCA in England in 1844, by George Williams. The acronym YMCA stood for Young Men’s Christian Association that began amongst evangelists. It was known for the promotion of sports, and ran in conjunction with the Church. Baseball was introduced in Korea in 1905, by Phillip Gillet, who being a missionary introduced the sport to members of a YMCA in Seoul. The indoctrination of many a youth to Japanese values and customs, coupled with the abolition of Traditional Korean values and the study of many Koreans in Tokyo, ensured in the long run, the future relations with Korea and also the inevitable outcome that was as a consequence of the struggle between traditional Korean culture and values versus that of Modernization and Westernizationvi. Korea as a country enjoys a long tradition of sportsmanship, with the sport of Taekwondo originating there. Baseball is one of the many sports that are embraced by the Korean people. Others include football, basketball, table tennis, fishing and kiting amongst a host of other sports. The sport of baseball has a special place in the Korean peoples’ heart and their national team is a regular participant in the World Baseball Classic, and is considered as being among the best baseball countries competing internationally. In the sport of Baseball, there are a number of terminologies that have special meaning pertaining to the conduct of the sport. The term “fastball” refers to “a pitch that is thrown as fast as possible”, with the speeds reaching up to over 100 mph, where reliance is purely placed on the speed factor, so as to prevent the ball from being hit. The term “breaking ball” refers to “a pitch that does not travel straight, as it approaches the pitcher, like a fastball.” It will have some downhill or askew motion on it. Two types of this include: - Curveballs and sliders. They are difficult for the catcher to catch them due to their unpredictable movements, thus the pitcher must have confidence in the catcher (teammate) and catcher must have confidence in catching the hit ballvii. Accordingly, in the afore mentioned case study, there was the linkage of the above mentioned two terminologies to the two antagonistic cultures that played out in the larger Korea during the military occupation of the Korean Peninsula by the Japanese. The term “fastball”, being equated to ‘the strict adherence to tradition’ by the Korean people, while the term “breaking ball” referring to the growing influence and spread of Westernization. This Westernization came through such avenues as trade and commerce, and the presence of Mission schools such as the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). The term “fastball”, pertaining to the spirit of the Korean people in defending their culture and tradition, is appropriately used to illustrate the will of the people in resisting all external influences especially pertaining to their culture. Under the draconian rule of the Japanese, different intellectual beliefs flooded the country, from traditional Buddhist, shamanistic beliefs to Confucianism. Western-style painting, literary trends amongst others were also introduced. The late 1930’s to the year 1945, witnessed the Japanese colonial government’s pursuit of the policy of assimilation, which entailed the forceful coercion of the Koreans in speaking Japanese, this being in both schools and on the outside world in general. There was the ‘encouragement’ of the Koreans in taking up Japanese names. The belief in the divinity of the Japanese emperor was encouraged amongst the Koreans, though often through coercionviii. On their part, the Japanese military rule and subsequent pursuit of draconian laws of governance in Korea can best be exemplified by the term “breaking ball”; in that there was the use of crooked and unethical methods of propagating Japanese culture and traditions, coupled with the spread of Westernization. There was the use of coercion, intimidation amongst other methods of persuasion that was often carried out ruthlessly by the Japanese military regime. The Korean people resisted the brutal Japanese occupation, manifest in the nonviolent 1st March Movement of 1919. In the protest, 7000 demonstrators were killed by a combined force of Japanese military and police forces. During Japanese colonial rule, the Korean Language was suppressed in an effort to ‘nip in the bud’ the rising Korean Nationalism. Koreans, forced to take Japanese surnames, saw the great loss of their traditions and cultures; at the same time, the destruction of numerous cultural artifacts of Korean culture took place. Numerous others were ferried off to Japan. This untimely occupation of the Korean Peninsula by the Japanese stymied the country’s modernization process, just when the country was taking steps towards implementing their own self-initiated reforms. This in itself created a few Korean beneficiaries and the Japanese on one side and the majority of the Koreans, impoverished and illiterate/uneducated on the other handix. Korea was ruled through the office of governor-general; usually a military man from either the Japanese navy or army. In its initial occupation, there was use of the draconian gendarmerie-policy system that deprived majority of the basic civil freedoms. This resulted to the massive, nation-wide demonstration of 1919, known as the March First Movement. The resultant killing of 7000 demonstrators enraged the Korean populace and forced the Japanese to loosening their constricting grip on the Korean population. There was the relaxation of the stringent measures as the Korean people enjoyed more freedom of expression and assembly. As the Second World War raged on, there was mass recruitment of Korean men into the army or forced labor. Women were kept as comfort items for the Japanese military men who needed encouragement as the war commenced with greater devastating consequences for the Japanese and the Asian territories at largex. In conclusion, the YMCA Baseball Team, a South Korean film, shows the desire about liberating from Japanese force. It is clearly expressed in throughout the process of learning baseball and having baseball match with the Japanese. This is expressed in the game when the Korean national team is behind by two goals but they do everything to ensure that they come out of the humiliating situation. The game shows how the liberation is important to them. Winning means their liberation from Japanese rule while a loss means the opposite. The baseball game was an important game for the Koreans especially in its value to show that Koreans were ready for liberation. Therefore, the movie managed to capture the wishes of the Korean people under the oppressive rule of the Japanese. Notes Read More