South Korean Film Sheds Light on a Tense Hostage Crisis in Afghanistan

Seoul - In 2007, a harrowing incident unfolded in Afghanistan that would later be immortalized on the silver screen. A South Korean missionary team was abducted, sparking international attention and concern. The incident, while tragic, also prompted a deeper examination of missionary work in volatile regions.

I had the opportunity to converse via email with Professor Dudley Woodberry, a distinguished scholar from Fuller Theological Seminary, who had earned his doctorate in Islamic Studies at Harvard and had extensively researched Islam in regions like Afghanistan. Reflecting on the abduction of the South Korean missionaries, Woodberry remarked, "South Korean Christianity shouldn't halt its missionary work. However, it must proceed with utmost caution. For instance, the decision by hundreds of South Koreans to host a peace festival in Afghanistan the previous year was not prudent. Missionary work that remains inconspicuous is often more effective."

Woodberry further elaborated on the historical context, drawing parallels between Jesus's interactions with followers of religions akin to Islam. "Jesus often engaged with individuals from religions resembling Islam. The Samaritan woman, for instance, followed a faith similar to Islam. Nicodemus also displayed Islamic tendencies," he noted, emphasizing that Jesus often favored a more discreet approach to missionary work, prioritizing quiet interactions and dialogues.

The abduction of the Saemmul Church short-term missionary team drew widespread criticism at the time. A recent film has brought this incident back into the limelight. However, rather than focusing on the intricacies of missionary work or the individuals involved, the film zeroes in on the government's efforts to rescue the hostages.

The narrative follows diplomat Jaeho, portrayed by Hwang Jung-min, who, despite being a seasoned negotiator, is navigating the treacherous waters of Afghanistan for the first time. He joins forces with a local intelligence agent, Daesik, played by Hyun Bin, in a desperate bid to free the hostages. With Afghanistan being one of the most notorious no-travel zones globally, the decision to send missionaries there was undeniably ill-advised. Yet, the South Korean government couldn't stand idly by and launched a rescue operation spearheaded by Jaeho and Daesik. As the deadline set by the Taliban looms, the tension is palpable. The duo grapples with an ever-evolving situation where the odds of success seem bleak.

The film captures the nail-biting process of Jaeho and Daesik's attempts to retrieve the hostages safely. Director Im Soon-rye chose to sidestep the sensitive topic of missionary work. In an interview with KukieNews, Im explained her initial reluctance to helm the project due to its significant budget and concerns about its commercial viability. However, upon reviewing the script, she recognized the potential to explore fresh perspectives in Korean cinema. "I wanted to question the extent of individual and collective beliefs and the responsibilities and functions of a nation. The script also introduced humorous characters. Despite the heavy subject matter, I believed it could be presented in a commercially appealing manner," she stated.

At its core, the film underscores the challenges of confronting the Taliban while simultaneously negotiating with them. Humanity emerges as the central theme. Despite differing beliefs and understandings, the film posits that human connections should always be approached with compassion. 

Im Soon-rye, known for her human-centric films like "Waikiki Brothers" (2001) and "Forever the Moment" (2008), once again delivers a poignant message about the essence of humanity.