Korean Documentary: Fanatic/성덕 + Q&A 18

The Korean Wave or Hallyu has taken the world by storm, from BTS to Blackpink, from Squid Games to Parasite, Korean popular culture has achieved unprecedented levels of success. The K-pop industry as a core part of Korea’s global success, is a highly curated and controlled ecosystem that places young people through intensive, gruelling training with the aim of developing the latest stars and bands.

This is an industry that is fuelled by an intensive global fan base where groups of ardent fans curate, debate, defend and obsess over every lyric, look or rumour. A former fan herself, Oh Seyeon’s Fanatic follows what happened to the fans when the objects of their affection are mired in scandal.

Oh herself was a ‘seongdeok’ — a Korean term to reference fans of former singer-songwriter and entertainer Jung Joon-young. Jung was sentenced to six years in prison in 2019 for rape and ‘molka’, or illegal filming, and Oh was left bereft as a star she had devoted endless time, love and attention towards was found to be a criminal. With humour, energy, and remarkable personal reflection, this is a radical look at the lives of former fans and what it means when people stop believing in their idols.

This screening will be followed by an in-person Q&A with director Seyeon Oh.

Screening as part of our Korean Documentary season in partnership with University of Sheffield School of East Asian Studies.

This film has not been rated by the BBFC, therefore we cannot allow entry to those under 18.

F-Rated: Directed by Seyeon Oh