Ep 33: K-Movie — Hallan (Winter Orchid) | K Culture Deep Dive

Hallan follows a mother and daughter fleeing government forces during the Jeju April 3rd Incident (1948-1954), when an estimated 30,000 people were killed in anti-communist purges.

The movie is named after the winter orchid that grows on Hallasan even in the harshest winter, much like the people how Jeju survived the darkest of times.

The conversation turns to why Jeju people are so exclusive, the "lost villages" that no longer exist, and why older Haenyeos never talk about this period.

Key Takeaways

• 한란 (Hallan): "Hal" from Hallasan + "lan" meaning orchid. Winter orchid of Hallasan that survives harsh conditions, symbolizing hope.
• April 3rd Incident (4·3 사건, Sasam) historical context:
  • 1910-1945: Korea under Japanese colonial rule (35 years)
  • 1945: Japan surrenders after atomic bombs; Korea "independent" but occupied by US in south, Soviet Union in north
  • March 1, 1947: Peaceful parade in Jeju (commemorating 1919 independence protests); police killed a baby accidentally sparking a riot and more dead
  • Island-wide strike followed, including Haenyeo
  • US Army investigated and concluded Jeju was a "Red Island" (communist)
  • April 3, 1948: Guerrillas attacked police stations and government buildings at night; war begins
  • 1948-1954: Seven years of killing; anyone 5km from the coast considered a guerrilla and shot on sight; scorched earth policy burned mid-mountain villages
  • ~30,000 people killed (government figure)
• The movie's message: No one was purely good or bad. Government soldiers committed atrocities. Guerrillas also killed innocent villagers. American forces were complicit (asking "how many?" with quotas). Even the Christian soldier who tried to maintain morality eventually snapped, killed his squad, and took his own life.
• Key scenes:
  • Opening: Bodies tied to trees with warning signs
  • Mother searching for husband who was killed by guerrillas for suspected spying
  • Lava caves as hiding places; army set fires to smoke people out (Tarangshwi cave)
  • White flags of surrender ignored; Jeju-speaking soldier killed by mainland commander for being "too friendly"
  • Shimbang (Jeju shaman) blessing those leaving to surrender, tying white mourning cloths knowing they would die
  • Trial scene: 6-year-old girl stamped as "rioter" (death sentence)
  • Modern scenes cut to Jeju Airport and Peace Memorial, both sites of massacres
• Why Jeju people are exclusive: Sora says the common answer is historical trauma. "Lots of people from outside, outsiders, tried to invade and attack these people." Suspicion applies not just to foreigners (외국인) but also mainlanders (육지 사람).
• Peace Memorial Park: Memorials organized by village; ~30,000 names. Includes room dedicated to those killed in cave massacres. Shoes memorial at Sotal Oreum: people threw shoes from trucks so families could follow and find their bodies; children's shoes among them.

Next Steps

• Learn more: vamosajeju.com/43
• Plan your trip: vamosajeju.com/trip (includes April 3rd sites: Peace Memorial Park, Altteureu Airfield, Sotal Oreum)
• Send voice questions: vamosajeju.com/ask (90 seconds max)