Jiwon Choi Parallel

A dizzying collision of pop culture and personal memory,Parallel offers an introduction to contemporary Korea—K-pop, militarism, reality TV, the first female president, Samsung, and Gangnam style—while making connections between the country’s political and cultural histories. Themes of idolatry and extreme ideology emerge from the video’s onslaught of images. The artist provides a portrait of her own family as well, including her Korean War–veteran grandfather, who recalls the emotional story of his escape from North to South at the 38th parallel. (30 mins., HD video)