Lecture Notes on "Snowball, 2021"

Overview

• Film Title: Snowball
• Year: 2021
• Theme: Explores the lives of two girls, So-yeong and Kang-yi, highlighting issues of poverty, friendship, and bullying.

Characters

• So-yeong:

  • Comes from a wealthy family.
  • Smart and resourceful.
  • Acts as a leader among friends.

• Kang-yi:

  • Lives in a poor hillside village.
  • Faces struggles related to poverty and family issues.
  • Relies on So-yeong for support, especially with cosmetics.

• Aram:

  • Another young girl who becomes involved with So-yeong and Kang-yi.
  • Experiences issues with her own family, particularly regarding abuse.

Plot Summary

• Initial Scene:

  • Girls leave a bar for minors.
  • So-yeong encourages Kang-yi to join her instead of going home.

• Family Backgrounds:

  • Kang-yi's family struggles with poverty; her mother is overly religious.
  • Contrast between Kang-yi's life and So-yeong's affluent upbringing.

• Turning Point:

  • The girls decide to leave their homes, encountering a suspicious man who offers help.
  • They take refuge with him for a night but face uncertainty about his intentions.

• Living Arrangement:

  • They later move to the roof of an apartment; Kang-yi endures mistreatment.
  • Misunderstandings about love and affection complicate relationships.

• Conflict and Regrets:

  • So-yeong becomes cold towards Kang-yi after a regrettable incident.
  • Aram's situation worsens, and she begins to bully Kang-yi.
  • Kang-yi grapples with her feelings of betrayal and longing for their past friendship.

Themes

• Friendship vs. Rivalry:

  • The dynamics between So-yeong, Kang-yi, and Aram shift from friendship to betrayal and bullying.

• Socioeconomic Struggles:

  • Highlights the stark contrast between the lives of the rich and the poor.
  • Illustrates the impact of poverty on personal relationships and self-worth.

• Abuse and Recovery:

  • Addresses issues of physical and emotional abuse within families and peer groups.
  • Questions the reliability of perceived love and protection.

Conclusion

• The film ends on a cliffhanger, with Kang-yi faced with a choice between forgiveness and revenge.
• The story encapsulates the harsh realities of youth and the complexities of personal relationships in challenging circumstances.

Final Thoughts

• The film serves as a reflection on the difficult choices young individuals make when faced with adversity.
• Encourages discussions on themes of social class, friendship, and resilience.