The True Stories Behind Echoes of Survivors: Inside Korea’s Tragedies

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Initially, Netflix’s “The Echoes of Survivors: Inside Korea’s Tragedies” might seem to lack a distinct, focused structure. This eight-episode documentary series serves as a sequel to the 2023 release “In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal“, broadening its scope from Korean cults to delve into other harrowing incidents still inflicting trauma and distress in modern Korean society. As the series unfolds, a vaguely encompassing theme emerges: an exploration of the extremes individuals are driven to, in a society that permits, promotes, or celebrates amassing wealth over everything else.

The eight-part documentary delves into four distinct historical incidents in Korea’s past: the Brothers’ Home in Busan, ongoing legal issues related to the JMS church, the murders linked to the “Chijon family” gang, and the tragic collapse of Sampoong Department Store. It does so by incorporating testimonies from survivors and witnesses, along with dramatic portrayals of these events, and archival news footage detailing the incidents.

At times, the show appears to cross a line into behavior that feels excessively sensationalist or exploitative. For example, characters who were once residents of the Brothers’ Home facility are dressed in the same tracksuits they were forced to wear as victims of abuse, and episodes detailing the Chijon gang murders (also known as the Jijonpa serial murder case) sometimes showcase the sole survivor re-living her most harrowing experiences. It’s unclear why these scenes are included other than for sensationalism or voyeuristic purposes, which can be distressing given the series’ focus on exposing the risks inherent in systems that prioritize wealth over human welfare. These instances seem to contradict the show’s aim.

In my humble opinion as a movie critic, “The Echoes of Survivors” sheds light on harrowing stories that resonate deeply with Korean audiences, but may be less familiar to global viewers, due to the era in which these events transpired – primarily during the 1980s and 90s, well before our constant connection through the internet, video streaming, and mobile devices made distant tragedies feel so immediate.

For those unfamiliar with the topics explored within “Echoes of Survivors”, here’s a quick rundown: Each event is meticulously portrayed, giving a glimpse into the heart-wrenching realities that shaped Korea during that time.

(Content warning: This contains descriptions of child abuse and sexual violence)

The history behind Brothers Home

In Busan, Korea’s second-largest city, there was an establishment known as Brothers Home or Hyungje Bokjiwon, which functioned as a welfare facility but effectively operated as an internment camp from 1975 to 1987. This facility was supported by anti-vagrancy laws enacted in the 1960s and strengthened in the run-up to the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Summer Olympics. During this period, South Korea was governed by a military regime, which ended in 1987 following an overthrow.

In this particular timeframe of Korea’s history, known for “social cleansing,” Brothers Home was administered by Park In-geun, a former military officer and Christian social worker. During this period, such welfare institutions received financial aid from the government based on the number of individuals they housed. Having more residents equated to more funds, leading some facility managers to abduct people off the streets, regardless of whether they truly fit the criteria of a “vagrant,” or an individual lacking consistent employment or housing.

The South Korean Truth and Reconciliation Commission revealed that individuals arrested without warrant included office workers passed out from excessive drinking, children waiting for trains to visit family, teenagers returning home, people with disabilities, and hospital patients. The book Echoes of Survivors highlights some of the children who were coerced into the facility, often being taken off the streets by police officers, motivated by bribes from Brothers Home or score points in their performance evaluations.

Within the establishment, acts of violence were a daily occurrence. These acts encompassed physical and sexual assault against women and children, as well as instances where infants were illegally adopted out. Detainees were coerced into performing labor without compensation, often under conditions of food scarcity. It’s estimated that approximately 657 people lost their lives during this period. Over the duration of its operation, it’s believed that around 40,000 individuals resided there, with over 3,000 detained simultaneously at the facility’s busiest point.

In the second episode exploring Brothers Home, the focus moves towards seeking more responsibility. However, Park In-geun was convicted solely for embezzlement and corruption, serving a term of 30 months in prison. No charges of human rights violations were ever proven against him, which some suggest may be linked to his political connections within President Chun Doo-hwan’s administration and the Busan mayor’s office. He passed away in a nursing home in 2016.

In managing the facility, Park In-geun placed trustworthy relatives in key positions, such as his wife Lim Sung-soon, her brother Lim Young-soon, and Lim Young-soon’s brother-in-law, Joo Chong-chan. Echoes of Survivors follows producer Jo Seong-hyeon and Brothers Home survivor Choi Seung-woo as they visit Australia, where certain Park family members relocated following the revelations about the Brothers Home’s atrocities. They challenge some of the surviving Park family members regarding their amassed wealth. Additionally, Jo challenges a member of the Park family residing in Korea over accusations of involvement in human rights violations. These encounters create some of the most moving and impactful scenes within the series.

Did Brothers Home inspire Squid Game?

It’s been suggested in the past that the Brothers Homes facility may have influenced the Netflix show “Squid Game.” The similarities between the grim realities at Brothers Home and the brutal fictional world of “Squid Game” are emphasized in the production, as survivors wear similar tracksuits to those they were forced to wear as children during interviews. However, it’s important to note that “Squid Game” creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has not explicitly acknowledged Brothers Home as a source of inspiration for the series.

The JMS cult case

In March 2023, the release of “In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal” on Netflix caused a significant stir within Korean society. This documentary series delves into misdeeds committed by four distinct religious cults, with a particular emphasis on the Christian Gospel Mission, also recognized as Providence and Jesus Morning Star, or JMS.

Jung Myeong-seok, creator of JMS, claims to be a self-appointed messiah for his numerous devotees spread throughout Korea and beyond in countries like Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and Australia. Convicted of rape in 2008 and serving a ten-year sentence, he faced additional charges for sexual assault against two female followers in 2022. Their accounts were shared in the initial season of a Netflix documentary. At that time, producer Jo expressed his motivation for telling this story as he has family members who have suffered at the hands of a false religious organization.

Echoes of Survivors” explores in two of its episodes the prolonged concealment of sexual abuse allegations against Jung Myeong-seok, and the lengths taken by his organization to prevent the release of “In the Name of God.” The show delves into the part that Jung’s deputy, Jung Jo-eun, played in enabling his mistreatment of female followers. Last year, she received a seven-year prison sentence for her involvement in the abuses. In 2024, Jung himself was given an additional 17 years in prison. The documentary series further claims that certain members of JMS, who are also police officers, misused their positions to prevent Jung’s imprisonment. It raises questions about how many Korean institutions may harbor loyal members of JMS.

As a dedicated film enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: After tying the knot with my erstwhile idol and Olympic swimming sensation, Alex Fong, our lives have taken an exciting new turn – we’re about to welcome our first bundle of joy! The concluding episode of JMS resonated deeply, as Maple leaves viewers with a heartfelt message: “To every woman battling similar struggles, let us remain resilient together.

The Chijon family murders

The “Chijon family” killings, more commonly recognized as the Jijonpa serial murder case, encompass a string of crimes occurring between 1993 and 1994. This criminal organization, known as the “Chiwon family,” was orchestrated by Kim Gi-hwan, a former rapist, fueled by class resentment. Kim managed to rally six other working-class males, aged between 18 and 23 years old at the time, into a conspiracy targeting the wealthy for extortion and murder. This plan emerged from Kim’s inspiration following a news report about university entrance exam corruption. The gang aimed to amass one billion won (approximately $1.25 million in today’s currency). Tragically, they took five lives, including that of one group member who attempted to depart from the organization.

The narrative revolves around an interview with the lone survivor of a kidnapping ordeal, Lee Jeong-su, conducted at different points. In her twenties then, Lee was abducted alongside a man she had casual relations with. They weren’t affluent, but they were driving a Hyundai Grandeur, which symbolized wealth during that time. For seven days, Lee was held captive by the gang and compelled to execute some of their targets, including her boyfriend. After managing to escape, thanks in part to one of the kidnappers, she shared her ordeal with the police. The culprits were subsequently arrested and eventually sentenced to capital punishment.

In the last act of the episode titled “Echoes of Survivors”, there’s an attempt to link the murders to broader systemic issues, but it seems rushed and incomplete. Often, true crime media overlooks the systemic injustices that contribute to such crimes, instead portraying perpetrators as monsters rather than individuals shaped by our society’s flaws. “Echoes of Survivors” tries to provide a systemic context for the Chijon gang’s crimes, but this attempt feels weak due to the series’ heavy focus on sensationalized media coverage and dramatic portrayals of the crimes, with little in-depth analysis – particularly considering that it claims to center around survivors’ stories.

The Sampoong Department Store collapse

As a passionate admirer, I can’t help but reflect on the gripping final episodes of “The Echoes of Survivors,” which delve into one of history’s most harrowing peace-time tragedies: the collapse of the Sampoong Department Store in Seoul. In 1995, just five years after its grand opening, this iconic and luxurious shopping hub crumbled, claiming the lives of 502 individuals and leaving 937 more injured. Heartbreakingly, over half of the victims were the store’s own employees. Many of the unfortunate souls caught in the disaster were women, peacefully browsing for dinner groceries during an evening that would forever change their lives.

As a film enthusiast immersed in tales of resilience, I’d like to share my thoughts on an engaging documentary series that delves into the heartrending story of the Sewol Ferry tragedy. The episodes are crafted with interviews from survivors like 18-year-old store clerk Yoo Ji-hwan, who miraculously was rescued from the rubble over a dozen days after the initial catastrophe.

This captivating docu-series also offers insights from individuals who tragically lost their loved ones in this disaster, and from the brave souls who tirelessly contributed to the rescue efforts. It’s a poignant journey through hope, sorrow, and perseverance, offering a profound exploration of human spirit in the face of adversity.

The building’s downfall occurred due to substandard construction work that intentionally disregarded safety guidelines during its development. Originally, the company tasked with constructing the large, flat-slab edifice decided to withdraw after Lee Joon, head of Sampoong Group’s construction sector, requested modifications to the design for a more expansive floor plan. Later investigations revealed that the building had significant structural flaws and was inevitably doomed to fall apart.

Approximately two months before the building’s collapse, workers had spotted a significant crack on the top floor’s roof where the structure was deteriorating. On the fateful day of the collapse, the extent of structural damage became more evident. According to the documentary series, the department store administration convened an emergency meeting at 3 pm, about three hours before the incident, to discuss whether they should shut down and evacuate the building. Led by Lee, they decided to close only the fifth floor initially, opting to inspect the premises after work hours to minimize business disruption. However, Lee’s reluctance to lose profits led to a tragic turn of events. The emergency alarm was activated at 5:50 pm, prompting employees to evacuate shoppers. Two minutes later, the roof and fifth floor of the south wing caved in, causing a chain reaction that resulted in the catastrophic collapse all the way down to the basement levels.

In the end, Lee was determined guilty for involuntary manslaughter and served a sentence of seven years and six months in prison. His son, Lee Han-sang, who held both positions as store president and company head, was found guilty of corruption and accidental homicide. Two city planners were convicted for accepting bribes. Approximately two months following the disaster, Lee Joon and Lee Han-sang pledged the entire fortune of the Sampoong Group to assist the victims and their families in recovery. Today, the site where the department store once stood now serves as a luxury apartment building, despite pleas from the victim’s families for a memorial to be erected instead. Former president Yoon Suk-yeol resided within this very building, both before and after his brief tenure as leader.

The series “Echoes of Survivors” links events such as the Sampoong Department Store collapse and more contemporary Korean disasters, including the Sewol ferry disaster, as preventable man-made tragedies fueled by avarice. In its eight episodes, it invites viewers to consider whether the documentary strikes an appropriate balance between uncovering truth to hold those in power accountable and exploiting tragedy for entertainment purposes.

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2025-08-16 01:06