‘My Name’ confronts trauma of Jeju April 3 Uprising

Actor Yeom Hye-ran in a scene from “My Name” / Courtesy of Let’s Films, Aura Pictures

Veteran filmmaker Chung Ji-young, known for his works tackling Korea’s painful historical truths, is back with new film “My Name” to honor those lost in the Jeju April 3 Uprising.

The Jeju April 3 Uprising refers to a tragic period from 1947 to 1954 when government forces clashed with armed leftist groups, leading to the deaths of up to 30,000 citizens — more than 10 percent of the island's population.

To bring this historical tragedy to life on screen, “My Name” encompasses this massive historical trauma in a personal, two-generation story.

Set in 1998, it follows Jeong-sun (Yeom Hye-ran), a mother who suffers from painful memories of the uprising, and her 18-year-old son Yeong-ok (Shin Woo-bin), who struggles with his own identity and the shifting social dynamics of his school.

The film uses a frame structure to link the past and present. As Jeong-sun travels back to the sites of her faded memories to find the cause of her trauma, she confronts the brutal loss of her husband and family. Simultaneously, Yeong-ok faces school violence from a cruel transfer student, Gyeong-tae (Park Ji-bin).

Yeom, who recently earned praise for her role as a Jeju haenyeo (female diver) in the Netflix series “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” takes on a more complex role here.

“I was cautious about approaching this project because it is based on a real historical tragedy, but the script was artistically compelling,” Yeom said during the press conference in Seoul on Thursday. “I loved that the story wasn’t stuck in the past. It looks at how we should view this event today, 78 years later.”

Director Chung Ji-young, left, and actor Yeom Hye-ran attend a press conference for “My Name” at a theater in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

She said Jeong-sun was an appealing role because it captured multiple sides of a complex woman.

“Jeong-sun is not a flat or stereotypical character. She is portrayed with layers, showing both the victim and the bystander within her, which made the role very attractive,” she explained.

Chung, whose previous historical movies include “North Korean Partisan in South Korea” (1990) and “National Security” (2012), suggests that the way to heal from such massive state-sponsored violence is through “solidarity.”

By showing Yeong-ok standing up against school violence alongside his friend Min-su (Choi Jun-woo), the film draws a parallel to how society must address historical wounds together rather than burying them.

“Yeong-ok and Min-su overcome violence through the solidarity of friendship,” the director said. “The film carries the message that solidarity can triumph over violence. Whatever form violence may take, what matters in confronting it is not the resistance of a single individual, but the solidarity of many.”

The release comes at a significant time, as the government recently moved to abolish the statute of limitations for civil and criminal liabilities regarding state-sponsored violence, including in Jeju.

While the film tackles heavy themes and carries a serious tone, it has drawn remarkable public support. Nearly 10,000 citizens backed the film through crowdfunding, and their names appear in the closing credits as a tribute to their support.

The film is set to hit local theaters on April 15.