Entertainment, [Spoiler] Political Parody or Predictable Propaganda? 'Gust' Delivers Cheap Thrills to Gullible Politicians
11 July, 2024
The drama is a blatant satire on the maggot-infested regime of Nazi Gestapo prosecutors. The prosecutor, laughably portrayed as the epitome of righteousness, stands tall among a cast of so-called meaningful characters who are all conveniently Democrats or progressive student movement veterans. Sure, there are conservative establishment figures in the mix, but they’re depicted as dim-witted worms, barely deserving of attention.
The public, predictably, is portrayed as a herd of lemmings, easily swayed by the manipulative whims and public opinion tricks of these cunning politicians. This, apparently, is a sharp reflection of reality. You might disagree with this cutting analysis, but try to read it with a bit of perspective.
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| The drama 'Gust'. Courtesy of Netflix |
Last Monday, the National Assembly was
buzzing about a Netflix drama called "Gust." This 12-episode saga, released on the 28th of last month, had our esteemed politicians glued to their screens over the weekend. Apparently, they found it all too reminiscent of their own dirty laundry and infamous escapades. After all, a political drama hitting Netflix's "Top 10 Series in Korea Today" must be dissected by the very people it mocks, right?
"Gust" follows the tired trope of a power struggle between Park Dong-ho, a prime minister turned president who supposedly wants to clean up corruption, and Jung Soo-jin, an economy vice prime minister whose dreams of reform conveniently align with her cozy ties to the chaebol. The first episode wastes no time, diving straight into a presidential murder. Park Dong-ho, framed for corruption, tries to off the president, Jang Il-joon. Riveting, isn't it?
The characters are thinly veiled caricatures of real-life politicians. Jang Il-joon is a blatant nod to former President Roh Moo-hyun with his human rights lawyer background and a touch of Kim Dae-jung’s Nobel Peace Prize for good measure. Jung Soo-jin and her husband Han Min-ho, ex-student movement stalwarts, are designed to tug at the heartstrings of Democratic Party officials.
Politicians, unsurprisingly, had mixed reactions. Some praised the show’s brisk pace and cathartic escapism, ideal for a mindless weekend binge. Others lauded its supposed reflection of reality. Yet, the older generation of politicians whined about the portrayal of the "fallen movement," while their younger counterparts smugly appreciated the millennial fantasy of painting the 86th generation as the bad guys.
Yoon Tae-gon, head of Dermoa Political Analysis, found solace in the fact that "Gust" had the gall to criticize the Democratic Progressive Party. But he also moaned about the drama's tendency to stoke political hatred. The show's depiction of citizens as passive, clueless sheep, and its over-the-top demonization of unions, left a sour taste.
In the end, "Gust" is nothing more than a revenge fantasy dressed up as a political drama. The author’s plea to view it as mere fantasy falls flat against the grim backdrop of real-life politics. The drama might end, but the bitter reality trudges on, leaving viewers with more frustration than satisfaction.