I didn't quite see the need for the big reveal that Jong-Du actually took the rap for something his brother did especially given that he had two other prior convictions as well. That didn't in any way help me resolve the moral ambiguity in the relationship between Jong-Du & Gong-ju.
I don't think the revelation about who really killed Gong-ju's father was meant in any way to resolve the moral ambiguity in Jong-du and Gong-ju's relationship. I believe it was meant to show something about the relationship between Jong-Du, his brother and his entire family.
The sexual assault on Gong-ju is unforgivable. I wouldn't argue that anything that happens in the film resolves that or makes it OK.
The film shows that every single person in Gong-ju's life is exploiting her. Her family, her neighbor caregivers...none of them see Gong-ju as a fully realized human being. Jong-Du exploits her, but he also treats her like a human being. The idea that Gong-ju would call and seek comfort from someone who attacked her
is disturbing and incredible. However, given the context of her life I don't find it unbelievable. She lives in a dank apartment all alone without any real care or stimulation just listening to the radio all day. Her neighbor, the person we are told has the most interaction with her...brings a lover over and when the lover says that Gong-ju is watching, her neighbor (I believe) says something like "it doesn't matter" or "she doesn't matter". She has no way to leave the apartment on her own to make friends, and has no reason to believe she ever will. Jong-du notices her and compliments her. He asks her to call him. He sees her as a person, even in his violent crime. In this context I can understand why Gong-ju reaches out to Jong-du. I think her reaching out to him is a statement about how poorly treated she is by everyone in her life, how lonely and isolated she is. People do all sorts of things that don't make sense so that they can feel alive or loved. I think the film shows this flawed relationship with an understanding eye but does not condone it.
The film is definitely operating in grey areas...it is hard to talk about it in politically correct terms. However, can't people do bad things and still exhibit some humanity? Can't we see how horrible everyone in this film is to each other, and still explore what emotions are motivating them without interpreting the act of exploration as a blanket stamp of approval for everything that occurs in the film? I agree with samfuller that we are doing the film an injustice if we do not adjust our cultural attitudes.
Furthermore, my impression from the film was that Gong-ju probably does not have an intellectual impairment, but perhaps only a physical one. Jong-du on the other hand, seems like he may have an invisible, undiagnosed development disability. I would characterize him as troubled and cognitively challenged rather than someone with evil intentions.
It doesn't sound right, it doesn't feel right, it is very hard to accept...but the reality (in the film at least) is that both Jong-Du and Gong-ju are enriched by having each other in their lives.
I hesitate to even post this. As I said it is hard to discuss the film in politically correct terms. I'm afraid I'll be misinterpreted or misunderstood. I'm not a very eloquent person.