Koreans shouldn’t romanticize ‘Les Miserables’

The movie “Les Miserables,” which was adapted from Victor Hugo’s novel by the same name, has become a hit this year in Korea. The late Hugo might find it puzzling that his fictional work is influencing the Korean society today. About five million Koreans watched the movie. Hugo’s novel, which was first published in 1862, has suddenly become a best-seller in Korea.

The movie has become the talk of the town. For instance, at a Seoul coffee shop, I overheard people talking about the movie’s memorable scenes. One romanticized that the movie was healing for those who did not vote for Park Geun-hye. Another said she loves musicals. Still, another said that he wants to use the musical to learn English, as the sentences in the songs are short and to the point.

In our conversation, another movie-goer, a CEO, said that the movie inspired him to practice love in his personnel management. Many of the musical numbers in the movie, including “I Dreamed a Dream” and “Do You Hear the People Sing?” have become popular. An acquaintance jokingly said that he uses Jean Valjean’s prison number, 24601, as his personal identification number.

Many parents watched the musical movie together with their children. The movie, which runs two hours and 38 minutes, has many attractive elements that fascinate moviegoers. First, the movie provides viewers with emotional, rhythmic and vibrant songs, comprised of short English sentences, that they can enjoy. Second, the movie tells the relatable story of the French masses who were victimized after the French Revolution. The movie shows that a society lacking in tolerance, love and unity spawns the despair of the alienated and the underprivileged. Third, the movie demonstrates to the audience the transformation of contemporary France, including the age of resistance and the social barriers that have plagued the country more than two centuries ago. Finally, the movie has main characters that hold the attention of viewers.

One of the main characters, Jean Valjean, who served 19 years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread and for attempting to escape multiple times, demonstrates that the corrupt can become virtuous once more. Once released from jail, he changes his identity and is taken care of by Bishop Myriel. The bishop’s kindness inspires Valjean leave the life of crime completely. Eventually, he becomes wealthy and is elected as mayor of a small town.

Another main character, Inspector Javert, believes that no one is above the law and doesn’t believe humans can change for the better. His relentless pursuit to bring Valjean to justice ends in failure as he commits suicide.

Meanwhile, Fantine is a working-class woman who is forced to become a prostitute in order to feed her daughter, Cosette. As she dies of consumption, she asks Valjean to look after her child. In the end, she re-appears as a spirit and escorts the dying Valjean to paradise.

The movie has also won the hearts of many Koreans who are disillusioned with the clashes between the old and young generations, conservatives and liberals, the rich and the poor and small, and large companies.

Many social scientists say that Les Miserables’ popularity reflects the prevailing sentiment of the Koreans. They want to heal from the never-ending competition, the widening economic polarization, the sense of relative deprivation, and the pervasive destruction of character or reputation. Thus, it is no coincidence that books devoted to healing sell well and that healing appears frequently in advertisements in Korea.

Despite the movie’s symbolic messages, Koreans should remove the romantic ideals and heroic aura from the movie, as it is just a movie. It is dangerous to romanticize the movie in real life.

For instance, Korea wants to see the arrest, not pardoning, of criminals. Both conservatives and liberals have criticized President Lee Myung-bak for volunteering to play society’s Bishop Myriel. This criticism came after his former secretary hinted that President Lee might pardon his convicted brother and several cronies in an act of reconciliation, unity and love. It is comedic to think that President Lee would pardon his brother and others who were convicted for bribery. Should these convicts be released, they need to realize that the new administration would be stricter against corruption, and that previous crimes for which they have not yet been prosecuted may be uncovered.”

Similarly, Koreans want to see more people like Inspector Javert, who believe that the law applies to everyone. For instance, Korean prosecutors do not command public trust as they are locked in internal power struggle to protect their entrenched rights. Prosecutors need to clear the public skepticism that they dominate, not serve, the people.

Meanwhile, Fantine serves as an example that the alienated and underprivileged must work harder to overcome the economic and social challenges they face. Doing so is especially important given the limits of the government welfare programs.

President-elect Park Geun-hye, has limits when it comes to welfare. People falsely have high expectation that the new leader would make them happy and wealthy.

Many liberal voters hope Park will do well. Her opponents should not prepare for a candle light vigil for any hint of her mistakes. Les Miserables provides an example of how a leader and its people can avoid a social or economic breakdown. <The Korea Times/Lee Chang-sup>