Controversial Documentary 'First Lady' Gains Attention with Pop Art Posters

The documentary film <퍼스트레이디> (First Lady), which focuses on the current First Lady of South Korea, is drawing significant attention from audiences. Recently, two pop art posters featuring a reinterpretation of Kim Geon-hee's face were unveiled, capturing public interest. Kim Hoon-tae, the CEO of production company 오늘픽처스 (Today Pictures), explained that the biggest challenge in designing the film's poster was the difficulty in using explicit photographs of Kim Geon-hee. He noted, 'After much consideration, we hoped that reinterpreting her image in pop art would help us avoid various legal issues. The poster undeniably evokes the work 'Happy Tears' by pop artist Roy Lichtenstein.'

Kim Geon-hee, who has a background in exhibition planning and previously organized exhibitions like 'Chagall' and 'Andy Warhol,' was inspired by Lichtenstein's work. Although the newly released poster is not the main promotional image, it strongly conveys a satirical message against a regime that suppresses freedom of expression, likely sparking further discussion.

Artist Jo Deok-hee, who created the poster, mentioned that the inclusion of a speech bubble referencing the song 'I Believe' by Shin Seung-hun was inspired by Kim Geon-hee's past plagiarism scandal and her public apology as a candidate's wife. The floral-patterned karaoke microphone depicted next to the speech bubble also carries significant meaning related to Kim Geon-hee's controversial history. Kim Hoon-tae added, 'When artists in various fields, including film, face infringements on their freedom of expression, they often resist and satirize reality. I hope this poster is viewed in that light.'

The documentary features interviews with individuals such as Pastor Choi Jae-young, who delivered a Dior bag, Lee Myung-soo, a journalist who spoke with Kim Geon-hee for over seven hours during the 20th presidential election, and Jeong Dae-taek, who has been in a legal battle with Kim Geon-hee's family for over a decade. The film addresses various controversies surrounding Kim Geon-hee, including allegations of academic fraud, plagiarism, stock manipulation involving Deutsche Motors, and connections with shamans, all explored through diverse interviews.

This documentary highlights the troubling reality of a First Lady who appears to be privatizing power, leading to numerous controversies. It also critiques Kim Geon-hee's previous promise during a press conference to focus solely on her role as a wife, labeling it as hypocritical. The film identifies Kim Geon-hee as the 'axis of all allegations' and poses the question, 'Who is the real VIP in the Yongsan Presidential Office?'

<퍼스트레이디> (First Lady) was released on December 12 and is currently engaging audiences.