The Umbrella Boy

In the film “A Single Spark” we are introduced to young Jeon Tae-il on a rainy day. Tae-il runs around the street, tying to sell umbrellas. When someone calls for an umbrella he runs over happily only to face a rich looking woman who tries to bargain with him. When she doesn’t get what she wants she throws away the umbrella and sneers, “No wonder you can’t get a decent job!” Saying nothing, Tae-il picks up the umbrella and slowly walks away.

            Almost like a déja vu, a similar scene comes up midway through the movie. In pouring rain, a young boy runs by shouting “Umbrellas! Umbrellas!” But this time, it’s not Tae-il. Young-soo just walks past the little boy but he suddenly stops and calls the boy over. He pays for the umbrella, but instead of taking it for himself, he tells the little boy to give the umbrella to the officer standing guard in front of the police station. Young-soo then just walks away.

What is the meaning behind these two scenes? Repeatedly throughout the film, director Park Kwang-su uses rain to add a sense of despair and hopelessness to the atmosphere. We know that the first scene was set in the 1960’s and the second in 1975, but the atmosphere of these two scenes seem alike. Almost 10 years have past but little boys as young as 9 years old are still on the raining streets trying to earn money for their family. The only thing changed since the 1960’s is the price of umbrellas. However, Young-soo decides to bring change to this hopeless situation by buying an umbrella from the little boy, who is a representation of Jeon Tae-il. As the boy hands over an umbrella to the officer, he (the boy, or perhaps Tae-il) acts as a bridge towards reconciliation. 

Student movements in Korea throughout the 70’s and the 80’s and the 5.18 Kwangju uprising in 1980 speak for people’s resentment towards the Korean government. Nonetheless, the government’s reaction to those demonstrations and uprisings show why people would grow to hate. But Jeon Tae-il was different. He did not hate. He did not use violence. He just tried and tried, to the point of self-immolation, until his voice was heard. I believe that’s what Park Kwang-su was trying to say about the spirit of Jeon Tae-il. What Tae-il stood for was not war or hostility towards the government; but was of peace and reconciliation.