Today, I will be showcasing a Korean documentary entitled ‘Reach for the Sky’ directed by Steven Dhoedt and Wooyoung Choi.
Imagine yourself blearily studying for 16 hours every day, never coming out for air. This is the cruel reality Korean high school students face daily for the hope to ‘Reach for the SKY’. SKY alludes to the three most prestigious universities in South Korea- Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University. Students are taught the values of independence and determination- that they must be the best, and that they must always strive to beat anyone who dares get in their way. This timely documentary, ‘Reach for the SKY ’presents a compelling look at a widespread yet tragic issue planted at the root of Korean modern society-competitive education. Constructed like a thriller and featuring an intense and ominous mis-en-scene, this joint production between Korea and Belgium is gripping from the get-go and builds to a devastating climax. This well-structured documentary utilizes a variety of film techniques and documentary features to emphasize the extreme pressure of these students as they relentlessly prepare for the dreaded Suneung college entrance exam through Korea’s brutal education system. A single question could ultimately determine their future career and status in Korea’s hierarchical society.
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Steven Dhoedt and Wooyoung Choi structured the documentary to highlight the importance of school education in Korea and the restrictive nature of the university admission process. Reaching for the SKY immediately draws the audience’s attention from the start by showing the historical process of Korea’s education system. This gives a general concept of students suffering from immense pressure and simultaneously proves the significance of the Suneung exam. For instance, countless family members are shown creeping up hills in the faint pre-dawn light around Seoul, praying for their progeny’s success at austere Buddhist temples. To expose the reality of Korea’s education, the documentary takes viewers through the lives of three high school students, Hyunha, Hye-jin, and Min-jun as they prepare for the Suneung exam. As the viewers travel through the lives of these helpless students, their sense of sympathy towards them heightens and strongly positions the audience to stand against Korea’s harsh education system. Nevertheless, a looming countdown clock separates each sequence to capture the viewer’s attention and gradually builds tension as the days creep closer to the exam day. Even after the completion of the exam and released results, Reach for the SKY remains constantly engaging as all three students reflect on what they learned over the year of preparation. Unsurprisingly, their perspectives were in agreement on Korea’s education system- that it is purely wrong, forcing them to believe grades are more important than friends and that spending time with family is sheer waste.
Steven Dhoedt and Wooyoung Choi utilize a wide variety of film techniques to create a documentary that is not only effective in its purpose but also entertaining to view. Suitable soundtracks are used to create a certain atmosphere and emotion that supports the scenes to increase tension or give a sense of sympathy. For instance, a brooding soundtrack ratchets up into a crescendo of nerves as the students tremble waiting in front of the gates as the Suneung exam nears its arrival. Low-angle shots are used to represent the power and strength of Korea’s education system. In particular, the shot is used while high school student Min-jun narrates, speaking of his teachers and family stating that he must rise high through the education system and continually stand above his peers. This is depicted through the camera panning up, following the balloons with the South Korean flag as they are released into the air. Close-up shots allow the viewers to enter the student's intimate space, revealing certain emotions that would otherwise go unnoticed from afar. In the documentary, close-up shots of stressed, depressed, and weary facial expressions allow the audience to sympathize with the students, who study almost unceasingly for the entirety of their childhood lives. In this way, the documentary challenges the life which we as the audience associate with happiness and lightheartedness by contrasting it with Korea’s stringent education system.
Documentary features are effectively used to support the directors’ main argument. Students are interviewed for the audience to see their perspectives on Korea’s education system and their motivations to continue resisting the significant amount of pressure. When Hye-yin is interviewed, the display fades into a pitch-black screen. The black screen expresses her feeling of being lost, perplexed by her existence in such a cruel academic society. She cannot find her purpose to withstand the immense pressure, even suggesting the possibility of committing suicide, which is proven to be a serious concern in Korea for teenagers aged between fifteen and twenty four according to the news recordings from the documentary. In addition, news recordings are also used in the sequence before the commencement of Suneung, informing the public that during the exam, all vehicles are forbidden to be within 200 meters of the test sites, planes are grounded, offices are closed and police officers are on standby to transport delayed students to their test sites. This further increases the intense atmosphere for the viewers and highlights the pinnacle of pressure in this documentary for the students who know that all their precious time and effort have culminated towards this very moment.
Overall, it is undisputedly clear that Steven Dhoedt and Wooyoung Choi have constructed a well-structured documentary accompanied by their clever use of film techniques and documentary features to bring awareness and expose the inhumane aspect of Korea’s education system, which puts unnecessary amounts of pressure on their students, harming their childhood lives. The directors have followed these elements of a powerful documentary to persuade the audience that Korean schools should not just focus on exams. It should also be fundamental in allowing their students to socialize, interact with their families, and choose their path to success. To live a normal life. The life of pure freedom.
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