Kim Chae-gyu syndrome: South Korean politics and divergent filmic portrayals of the assassination of Park Chung Hee

Abstract The assassination of the dictator Park Chung Hee by his intelligence chief Kim Chae-gyu was a momentous events in South Korean history, which garnered two feature-length filmic depictions released fifteen years apart first decades twenty-first century. President's Last Bang , 2005, an irreverent black comedy all those involved that fateful evening were villains their own right. Man Standing Next from 2020, took much different tack. gained righteousness and revolutionary motivation had been absent portrayal earlier film, Kim's intentions remained open to interpretation. This article analyzes changes depiction context shifting respective political contexts, particularly impeachment Park's daughter Geun-hye 2016, shadow cast legacies authoritarianism, specter seemed loom over Korea again during younger administration. Consequently, outpouring public fervor ensuing candlelight vigils reaffirmed societal support for democracy consequently elevated Chae-gyu, bane, role champion when it under threat once again.