A Unified Korea: Special Seminar and Mini-Talk Show on “Crash Landing on You”

Do you like Korean dramas? Even if you think you don’t, you might want to check out this one: ”Crash Landing on You,” which was released in 2019 and within in a short time became the number one rated Korean drama for two years in a row, in Asia, but also in Europe, Africa and here in the United States, especially among the younger generation. Find out why by watching it yourself on Netflix…. 

To kick off this new year and to continue its educational webinar series “A UNIFIED KOREA”  the GWPN Committee of Korea, Japan and the United States decided to go outside the box and instead of a panel discussion put on a mini-talk show based on Crash Landing on You Korean drama, with assistant screenwriter, Mr. Kwak Moon Wan, a defector from North Korea. Mr. Kwak, in his presentation showing various video clips of the drama, shed light on the story behind significant scenes in the drama, especially the ones depicting daily life in North Korea. This was based on his personal experiences and provided eye-opening insights into North Korea.

After his stirring presentation, Mr. Kwak boldly and honestly answered challenging and sensitive questions from the audience, such as how the North Korean people think and feel about a reunification of the Korean Peninsula and more.  

The mini talk show began with a video of Ms, Park Ji-eun, the lead writer of Crash Landing on You, sharing what inspired her to create this drama: 12 years ago, a South Korean woman had fallen asleep while on a boat and then found herself in North Korean waters with the North Korean coast guard coming after her. Park said that it was then when she realized how close North Korea is, and yet it is a forbidden place.

Inspired by that true story, Ms Park Ji-eun intended to make a drama based on realities in North Korea, and since she was not able to visit there, she interviewed defectors from North Korea, living in South Korea. The writer intended the drama to be an enjoyable and relaxing romantic drama. However, there is an educational message that a people who have been divided for 70 painful years by politics and ideology have common universal emotions, hopes, language, history and culture.

Mr. Kwak Moon Wan, a North Korean defector and screenwriter, was hired to fill in the facts and gaps of the script with regards to life in North Korea.

The following are excerpts from the interview with Mr Kwak: 

Can you tell us briefly about the production of the drama?

This 16 episode Korean romantic comedy drama was aired December 4, 2019 to February 16, 2020. When I joined this drama I did not know how popular it would be. 

A scene from the drama where Yoon Se-ri’s identity is questioned, and Ri Jeong-hyeok comes to her rescue.

How did you grow up in North Korea?

I defected to South Korea in 2004. I grew up in Pyongyang. Usually when I am with other North Korean defectors I do not mention that I am from Pyongyang. The people who grew up in Pyongyang come from wealthy families. I graduated from Pyongyang University in film. I had to also be a writer to produce films. These are on YouTube. I had to do propaganda.

Can you please share about your military experience? 

North Korean men go to the army for at least ten years as it is mandatory and they work there. After you finish military service you can go to university.

I was in the supreme guard command.

How did you defect to South Korea since North Koreans are also questioned by the NIS?

After being discharged from the army I was posted in Moscow as a boss with a trading company. On a business trip I was asked in an interview why the South was more developed than the North and my comment happened to be recorded.  I thought that this might cause trouble, and so decided to defect.

All North Korean defectors are questioned by the South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS). I was with them for a few months and they asked me many questions while I was hooked up to a lie detector. When I was released I met director Kwak Kyoung Tack who taught me how to produce films in South Korea.

Since adjusting to life in South Korea is extremely difficult for North Koreans; some do return to the North. What happens to North Korean defectors who willingly return to the North?

The North Korean government does not punish returning defectors. Instead they are protected and monitored closely to figure out why they came back.

In the drama there is a con man who hides in North Korea and pays a North Korean official for protection. Is there truth in this? 

Yes. Criminals can hide out in North Korea. You can do anything if you have money. There is a little bit of fact and a little bit of fiction in the way it was portrayed in the drama.

Is it common for high ranking children to study abroad? 

Yes, the current leader studied in Switzerland. Most popular is Russia and China but very high ranking officials children can study almost anywhere.

As seen in the drama, the five guys from North Korea had a hard time adjusting to life in the South, why?

It is simply shocking when North Koreans come to South Korea. They are in awe of what they see. How does an ATM work? Even things like how to use shampoo.

Before coming to South Korea my dream was drinking coffee and watching a well made foreign film. The Internet is one of the best things. In North Korea they only have the internet from their country. Worldwide content from the internet can easily get into North Korea so they do their best to stop it.

Once there is peace, how can ideological differences be overcome? 

I believe, once we understand we have differences we can come together. Also, in South Korea they first need to acknowledge there is a difference, find similarities and then they can begin working together.

What would you like to write in the future?

I would like to make more productions such as this one to help accelerate the unity of North and South Korea, and for people to see the similarities between the countries. I want to produce dramas to showcase the unity of North and South Korea through the means of film and culture, so people can feel it is actually possible. 

Editor’s note:

Here in the US, we received enthusiastic feedback from our GWPN USA participants, who expressed great interest to continue to learn more about the issues concerning the N/S Korea unification.

Please, if your time allows, please, watch the recording, which we also intend to share with many other audiences here in the U.S. as an educational tool!