With the success of Bong Joon Ho’s film Parasite in award ceremonies in the United States, international film fans everywhere were thrilled, finally thinking that this was the breakthrough we were all looking for. Now finally more international films can become mainstream in American popular culture. On Netflix and other streaming platforms, more and more international films and TV shows have begun to be aired, allowing audiences to broaden their horizons a little bit.
There are so many benefits of watching international media; learning a new language, experiencing another culture, and just discovering new genres you enjoy are only a few I can think of off the top of my head. Personally, I am a huge fan of Korean TV shows and have used them to help me a lot with my Korean skills. When trying to get a friend to watch one of my favorite Korean shows, however, one of the biggest protests I hear is that the subtitles are distracting and they don’t want to read while trying to enjoy a show. This is why I want to issue a challenge. In Director Bong Joon Ho’s infamous acceptance speech when winning the Golden Globe he said “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” I challenge you to go on Netflix or Hulu and search for a foreign film or TV show from your favorite genre. I promise with enough searching, you will not be disappointed and will discover some of the best movies or shows.
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