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By Lee Nan-hee
From the last several weeks up to now, Netflix's Korean drama "The Glory" has been very popular. I heard about it, so I searched for it on my smartphone. I clicked one video clip of that drama inadvertently on the video sharing platform YouTube with no idea what I would be drawn into. It was not intentional, it was totally inadvertent behavior for me.
Upon clicking the video, I became so absorbed in the drama of "The Glory" that I could not sleep that night. I found myself thinking deeply about many figures in that drama, sympathizing and empathizing with them. I was very impressed by the incredible ability of the drama writer as well as actors and actresses.
Usually I would not watch or have much interest in soap operas or dramas aired on TV, as most of them simply describe stereotypes and cliches, or are just extreme trash. However in this case, what stood out to me about "The Glory" was that some of its stories were based on real incidents of school bullying and violence recently reported by the media. Those cruel and horrific stories were beyond imagination. It is hard to believe that such terrifying things take place at regular schools.
No wonder most people would want to see the culprits brought to justice and severely punished. On top of that, everyone would want to see action taken against such heinous criminals even if they are teenagers. Sadly, it is not a coincidence that nowadays there are many dramas and movies depicting teenage bullying and crimes. We can see and hear of many such crimes happening in the mass media. We know that we are not supposed to take bloody vengeance on criminals nor are we in a position of judging and punishing those criminals.
In reality, we know we have to depend on the police and legal system to deliver justice. But it is also true that not many of us trust that legal system 100 percent. There exist so many variables and factors that interfere with or prevent fair, just implementation of the law. We watch revenge dramas because in reality criminals and wrong-doers are not brought to justice as quickly and fairly as we expect.
Ironically, there is one thing that most prominent drama writers as well as renowned critics never tell us. It is none other than the fact that while you are absorbed in taking your revenge on someone so as to undo the wrongs done to you, you yourself run the risk of ruin and devastation mentally and physically. As your anger and infuriation drive you to retaliation, you will be filled with all kinds of negative energy and emotions that will have detrimental effects on your mind and body. That is why in so many dramas and movies, once the victim exacts their revenge, he or she meets their own end.
Dramas are dramas, they are different from reality. The so-called grammar or rules of dramas must not be applied to real life. The flip side of this would be the fact that we must commit to making a fairer and more just society where we don't need to entertain dreaming of taking revenge. I can't help but feel relieved that I have no children who might fall prey to vicious school bullies. I hope that I am able to do something that contributes to making our society a fairer and better one.
Dr. Lee Nan-hee studied English in college and theology at Hanshin University.
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