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Seventeen

Name: Seventeen
Director: Jeong Byeong-gak
Released: 1998
Duration: 98 min

Representation Score

5.2/10

Fair

1998

Director

Jeong Byeong-gak

Runtime

98 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Seventeen presents a layered exploration of youth, moving beyond idealized social representations to examine characters on the fringes of societal stability. Through its dual narrative structure, the film dismantles the notion of the 'perfect' student and family archetype. While it lacks multi-ethnic and LGBTQ+ diversity, it delves into socioeconomic dynamics and social critique.

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Category Breakdown

Does Seventeen have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film focuses on heterosexual relationships and does not include any characters with non-straight or non-cisgender identities.

How does Seventeen portray gender?

Fair

Ye-jin challenges traditional gender roles by choosing dance over academic achievements. Sang-rok, the male lead, is portrayed as passive, which contrasts with typical dominant male archetypes.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Seventeen?

Fair

The film portrays a culturally uniform South Korean society, using economic status to explore identity and social hierarchy instead of featuring a diverse cast.

How does Seventeen represent religion and culture?

Good

The story questions traditional social structures by contrasting wealthy students with underrepresented street youth. It also critiques the stability of conventional family units and meritocratic systems.

Does Seventeen include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no indication of characters with physical or cognitive disabilities in the film.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender roles through character development.
Offers a critical look at socioeconomic stratification.
Empathetically portrays underrepresented individuals.

Limited or Absent

Does not explicitly represent LGBTQ+ identities.
Features a culturally homogenous cast without ethnic diversity.
Lacks representation of disabilities.

Official Synopsis

First story. Ye-jin is a high school junior from a wealthy family who also does very well in school. But her secret aspiration is to be a back dancer. Although her boyfriend Sang-rok is the class president and a good student, he is very passive. Ye-jin gives up her dreams of back dancing and decides to leave for Canada. Before she does, she gives Sang-rok a farewell kiss. Jun-tae is a problem student with a heart of gold. He quits school for good after he gets into a fight with the Dae-gon the top student at school. Second story. Jun-tae becomes a street kid hustling customers for a local bar. He develops a crush on a fellow street kid named Gigi. Jong-su, born poor and illegitimate, carries a giant chip on his shoulder. He is part of a motorcycle gang and is going out with Titi who works at the local gas station. The two couples take off to the East Sea for a getaway but are tracked down by men sent by Jong-su's father.

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