The article delves into the 1998 film 'August's Christmas,' which tells the poignant love story of Jung-won, a photographer, and Darim, a parking enforcer, who is painfully aware of the limited time he has left due to terminal illness. The narrative explores the emotional struggle of longing and the inevitable passage of time, marking this film as a significant work regarding the representation of death in Korean cinema. While many previous films treated death as a fierce struggle, 'August's Christmas' presents a more sanitized view, focusing on the existential and inner reflections of its characters, raising questions about whether this portrayal is an achievement of the film itself or a projection of modern societal desires for a 'clean' understanding of death.

Furthermore, the article discusses the traditional Korean understanding of death, shaped by Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and shamanistic beliefs. Scholars have noted that many Koreans hope for a 'good death,' characterized by fulfilling their earthly responsibilities and welcoming the end with acceptance, suggesting a cultural inclination towards avoiding the harsh realities of death. The article highlights that while many Koreans may intellectually acknowledge an afterlife, the emphasis is often placed on the importance of the worldly life, hinting at a complex relationship with mortality that continues to evolve in contemporary society.