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Come, Come, Come Upward

Name: Come, Come, Come Upward
Director: Im Kwon-taek
Released: 1989
Duration: 134 min

Representation Score

5.6/10

Fair

1989

Director

Im Kwon-taek

Runtime

134 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Im Kwon-taek’s film provides a significant departure from Western-centric storytelling by focusing on Korean Buddhist traditions. The narrative challenges traditional family roles, presenting a neglectful mother and an absent father to highlight the protagonist's isolation. While the film excels in its engagement with non-Western philosophical frameworks and provides a culturally specific perspective, it lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities and specific disability portrayals. The focus remains on the protagonist's internal spiritual evolution and her rejection of societal norms.

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Category Breakdown

Does Come, Come, Come Upward have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include explicit representations of LGBTQ+ identities or queer romantic relationships. The story focuses on the protagonist's personal struggles and spiritual journey rather than exploring queer themes.

How does Come, Come, Come Upward portray gender?

Good

Sun Nyog serves as a central female protagonist who transitions from a position of victimhood to one of spiritual autonomy and self-determination. Her journey highlights her growth and empowerment.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Come, Come, Come Upward?

Fair

This South Korean production offers a non-Western perspective. Although the cast is ethnically uniform, it provides visibility to Korean social structures and spiritual traditions.

How does Come, Come, Come Upward represent religion and culture?

Good

The film prioritizes Buddhist philosophy over Western-centric moral frameworks. It critiques traditional family institutions by showing them as sources of trauma rather than stability.

Does Come, Come, Come Upward include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no specific evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities. The protagonist's hardships may suggest emotional distress, but this is not explicitly defined.

Present on Screen

Engages strongly with non-Western philosophical frameworks and Buddhist tenets.
Challenges traditional domestic hierarchies by depicting neglectful parental figures.
Provides a culturally specific perspective outside the Anglo-centric cinematic canon.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or queer romantic relationships.
Provides no specific evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Schoolgirl Sun Nyog suffers from pain and hardships, life and the world around her confuse the girl. Her father, a Buddhist monk, left them, the mother has totally neglected her daughter while her lover harasses the girl. One winter day Sun Nyog goes to the temple. She decides to study Buddhism and is ordained as a nun. In 1989 the film participated in the MIFF competition and won the Bronze St. George for Best Actress.

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