"Rice" Relay Screening... Kim Youngrok: "The Spirit of May 18 Must Be Included in the Constitution's Preamble"

Ladybug Film’s Park Kibok Presents Omnibus Film
Pre-Screening Event Delivers the Meaning of May 18 with Deep Resonance
Relay Screenings Scheduled Across Gwangju and Jeollanam-do

The relay screening of the film "Rice," which pays homage to Nobel Prize-winning author Han Kang’s novel "Human Acts," has made a powerful debut, drawing strong interest from art and culture communities, educators, civil society, and the general public.

Ladybug Film Co., Ltd. announced on the 24th that a special omnibus screening featuring director Park Kibok’s new film "Rice" and his previous work "The Remaining Scent of Fallen Flowers" was recently held at the Gwangju Visual Media Center.

This screening, held on March 21, was organized to reflect on the historical significance of the May 18 Democratization Movement and to build consensus around the need to include its spirit in the preamble of the Constitution. In particular, Kim Youngrok, a preliminary candidate for the integrated mayor of Jeollanam-do and Gwangju, attended the event and expressed a firm commitment to carrying on the spirit of May 18 and enshrining it in the Constitution, adding further significance.

At the screening, candidate Kim Youngrok spoke with director Park Kibok and emphasized, "The May 18 Democratization Movement is the root of democracy in Korea, and its spirit must be included in the preamble of the Constitution." He went on to identify the succession and spread of the May 18 spirit, constitutional amendment to include it in the preamble, and expanded support for cultural and artistic works based on May 18 as key priorities, stating, "I will expand Gwangju’s historical value and cultural assets beyond Korea to the world."

Additionally, candidate Kim had a pleasant conversation with the cast of "Rice," stating, "Culture and the arts are the most powerful forces in preserving memory." He also expressed a strong commitment to supporting the production of films, performances, and content based on the theme of May 18.

Pre-screening Event: Where Art Meets Remembrance, Delivering Deep Resonance

The pre-screening event artistically interpreted the meaning of May 18, deeply moving the audience. Han Kang’s friend from Hyodong Elementary School in Buk-gu, and Han Kang’s poetry recitation specialist Kim Hyangmi, recited the poem "Reminiscence." This was followed by a salpuri dance performance by traditional dancer Jeon Soyeon and a pan flute performance by Pentagon CEO Jo Woosang, all symbolically conveying the message of remembrance and healing associated with May 18.

The works screened at this event were praised for reinterpreting the May 18 Democratization Movement not as a simple past event, but as a living history that connects the past, present, and future.

Candidate Kim Youngrok stated, "These kinds of cultural and artistic contents are crucial channels for passing on the spirit of May 18 to future generations," promising continued support for creative works and institutional backing.

This screening has established itself not merely as a film showing, but as an event to share the message of establishing the constitutional value and cultural diffusion of the May 18 spirit.

Meanwhile, the relay screening will continue in a touring format, covering Dong-gu, Nam-gu, Buk-gu, Seo-gu, and Gwangsan-gu in Gwangju, as well as Suncheon, Yeosu, Mokpo, and Gwangyang in Jeollanam-do.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.