Today's movie is Whiplash directed by Damien Chazelle. It's about a new student at the prestigious music school in New York, Andrew Neiman, who meets Terence Fletcher, a professor at the university and the band director. You could see it as a music movie, but I actually think of it as a thriller genre. It's a museum thriller. If you focus on how the relationship between Neiman and Fletcher dynamically moves, it's not just a simple teacher-student relationship, but more like an abuser and victim relationship. That's why gaslighting is becoming so popular these days. So, if you concentrate on the process of psychological domination and dependency between these two characters, you might feel this movie as a thriller. The first scene to watch together is when Neiman visits the cinema with his father. What kind of person is Neiman, the protagonist of today?

Let's watch together. Naver dreams of being the world's best jazz drummer, but in reality, he works as a support drummer in a mediocre band on campus. In fact, the opening scene of the movie shows Nieman playing the drums, with the school professor, Fletcher, watching with interest. Now, let's begin. In my opinion, the conversation between the father and son in this movie can be seen as the overall theme. When Andrew reacts coolly to Fletcher's response, saying there are many other paths, the father mentions that there are indeed many other options. What his father means is not just about career choices but broadly in life, reminding him that there are many options you can choose besides music. So, don't get too trapped and forget to think flexibly. After meeting Fletcher like this, Naver's school.

Let's see together what changes will come in life. They came into the classroom so confidently, as if it was their own classroom. It seemed like a classroom, right? It's hard to believe how someone can act like that, but they immediately opened the door as if it was their own. It's not like asking for permission, but even their body movements show no hesitation. Just by looking at that attitude, you can see how insensitive and lacking consideration for others they are in just a few seconds. So, if we talk about the characteristics of a pleaser in three ways, the first is that their seemingly pleasing personality is actually a style of managing their own impression a lot. So, they don't always behave insensitively like that, but they are the kind of person who knows how to act more polite and courteous than anyone else in situations they consider necessary.

However, now it seems that she considers this space a place that does not need to be respected. Another characteristic that can be seen as the second one is what is called Machiavellianism. It is when a person thinks that any means are justified to achieve a certain goal, even if it involves tricks or ignoring human dignity. So, she now thinks that it's okay to ignore things like that. These characteristics lead her to randomly play music and make comments without even listening for a few seconds. There are personality biases, sexism, and such unilateral and instrumental views of people. Furthermore, there is this compulsive tendency, you know, where everything has to be just right, with a strong perfectionist tendency. Moreover, she strongly imposes her own way on others because she believes she is right. Well, now let's move on to the promise that the flat earther made.

At 6 o'clock, it feels like I have to be punctual, but unfortunately, Naver overslept. [Music] [Music] Suffocating. [Music] [Music] Oh, without even washing my face, I hurried to the studio with dim lights. It turned out the actual class time was 9 o'clock. Actually, that scene is symbolic. Even if Andrew knew the practice time was at 9 o'clock, he couldn't dare to ask why he was given the wrong time in that atmosphere. But now, if it turns out that person did something wrong to me, and I accepted it, then the psychological power game begins. No matter what Fletcher does now, it becomes very difficult for Andrew to raise the issue. It feels like he's already trapped. Oh, but despite that, Fletcher is exactly...

As soon as the clock struck 9, he came in like this. I really don't understand why he lives like that. In a sense, maybe Fletcher thinks his authority comes from there. No, to come out like that, he must have been doing something outside, showing clearly what kind of person he is. In that scene, the sense of rhythm must not be wrong. The core of such obsessive behavior is actually due to anxiety. Because the anxiety that everything will collapse if I don't have that control is embedded, some interpret this obsessive behavior as an effort to forget their own anxiety. To that extent, you can now see Fletcher as a person with feelings of inferiority or anxiety deeply rooted inside. Students clearly feel scared of Fletcher, right? The pupils dilate.

I feel like I'm growing and constantly being watched. It feels like I can't breathe while watching that scene. They are forced to apologize if someone sings off-key. Even the students who are not directly involved in the incident feel emotional violence. It's an abusive scene for all students watching that scene. It inflicts not only verbal violence but also physical violence. The teacher knew this fact and even verbalized it. But why did they expel the student? The key point of that scene is to show other students by catching the most vulnerable target and tormenting them. Everyone saw it. This is what I can do. Listen to me well. It's to show the power structure. That's why the atmosphere in the classroom became very heavy. Oh, fortunately, we have a break at this timing.

Okay, when watching this scene, what surprised me a bit was that even the students in the same band know that it's not the band's fault, but during break time, they seem to blame the match instead. Scenes like this are often seen in school violence, and all the students in there are actually afraid of becoming the next victim. When there is a clear sacrificial lamb like that, the rest of the people are less anxious. That's why it's much more comfortable to think that there must be a reason for blaming that sacrificial lamb. Therefore, in social psychology, they also explain this as a valid belief in the world - good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people. Actually, what's really scary is that it reassures oneself that I won't experience such a thing.

It acts as such a mechanism, so in this situation, by blaming the matches, they appear less anxious. I still don't quite understand what kind of person he is, but with Nathan, I wondered if there was some affection for the family, so when scenes like asking about the father's occupation come up, it gave me chills. I wanted to know that, so I recalled the Busan Eomgung-dong murder case, where these people made false confessions due to torture and coercion. Before the coercion, during the investigation process, there was a question like, Are there any public officials in your house? So, when they asked if the father is in the music industry or if he is a famous writer, or what the mother does, it made me feel this way.

When things go wrong, is there someone I need to be careful of in advance if I've caused harm to someone? You came here with a dream. I wonder if this was not what Naver was thinking. You might think that way, but I thought there might be another intention behind those words. When you say, You came here with a dream, what could be the next sentence that was omitted? If you think about it, [MUSIC] why would Fletcher have said those words? To make the kids obey. You came here with a dream, so endure it, so listen to me. Thinking about what Fletcher might be smiling about behind that, it seems scary. That's why this work is a thriller. It's scary. That person just needs to grab a chainsaw. That person is too scary. That's why I'm scared. As the scene progresses, keep in mind how it will be expressed.

I'll leave the next scene for you to watch together [Music] [Music] [Music]. Ah, finally, it was a scene where Fletcher's true colors were revealed to Neiman. From this scene on, physical abuse truly begins. They crush a person's self-esteem to the ground. Along with that, isolation comes. They isolate the victim from others. So, when you think from Andrew's perspective, imagine being humiliated in front of all those people with no one to console you. Then, it's not easy to go home and talk to your family about it. In reality, in this way, unable to tell anyone, self-esteem gradually deteriorates, and one becomes more psychologically dependent on Fletcher. So far, the place where Fletcher's oppressive and violent behavior is most evident is.

It seems to be a classroom. If it were a different classroom, could the Fletcher's behavior have changed? So, if we change it to a glass window and make it possible for people outside to see that classroom, wouldn't it make a difference? Should we report it to the education office where the parents can see? After the practice, even Nathan's behavior starts to change as he leaves the classroom. It's really incomprehensible. Why does he try so hard to be recognized by someone who torments him? His psychological state seems really frightening. Victims who are psychologically dominated in that way start to blame themselves. So, the fact that they practice like that means that if I improve, Fletcher won't torment me, right? So, now it seems like the scene where Andrew starts making efforts for his own change.

Gaslighting is scary, isn't it? There is a significant dependent state, and there is a reason why Nathan is working so hard on Wepflashy. It's because they are approaching the Overbrook Jazz Competition. Nathan, who is still a competitor, is currently sitting in the main drummer's seat instead of Tenor. However, on the day of the competition, Tenor's sheet music goes missing. [APPLAUSE] [MUSIC] [APPLAUSE] [MUSIC] Not only did Nathan and Tenor switch seats during the competition, but now Nathan has become the main drummer. At that moment, not only the two individuals but also other students can be seen expressing disbelief. Earlier, I mentioned that I have a strong Machiavellian tendency. Fletcher said something like this, that Machiavellian leaders have certain characteristics. What kind of characteristics do I have as a leader to secure a strong position?

To make the members of the organization distrust and compete with each other, so students gradually come to think that conforming to the standards of the Fletcher is almost the only way they can be recognized and survive there, which strengthens their psychological dependence on Fletcher. Oh, but Nae-min is now sitting in the main drummer position, feeling proud and smiling. The scene ends here, but the competition zone is not over. Competitor Connolly appears. Naver describes the words made by Hyeong as temporary residents, making Fletcher's description a bit... Just hearing that makes you unable to relax even for a moment. I really don't know when this competition will end. It's getting to a critical point, but it's still too dreadful.

There is no break, and verbal violence is included. But now, there is a very physically demanding situation, so there is a considerable desensitization to that verbal violence, not even realizing how it affects oneself. It's about getting used to it. So, it's really scary to see the process of a person changing. In the end, in the dilemma of Fletcher, the main drummer's position is taken by Neimani. However, the problem is that Neimani experiences another accident on the way. If you think things will be resolved and you can relax a bit, something like this always happens. But even after the accident, with blood flowing, they go to the competition venue. Despite the accident, they insist on going to the performance venue and eventually, on the stage of the venue.

Future is being assaulted. Naver is currently working part-time after quitting school, and one day, while working at a jazz bar, meets Fletcher performing there. He looks like he just came out of school and casually mentions that if he spreads the news, heartwarming stories like mine will come out, making it seem like it's not a big deal. How should one interpret that expression? I've thought about it several times. What was the intention behind it? Looking back now, it seems like he said it to see Andrew's reaction and there's a bit of sarcasm in it. In the end, his final words were, I have no intention of apologizing for my way. In the end, I did what was necessary to raise a talent like Charlie Park, ultimately ending with self-justification.

Flatcher suggests that Naver should not perform on the stage of the JVC Festival at Carnegie Hall because he doesn't like the drummer who is playing with him. After thinking it over, Naver decides to trust Flatcher once again. They say they will perform with Whiplash and Caravan, but looking at their expressions, they end up playing the song Upswing. Moreover, that stage is crucial because once you make a mistake, it will haunt you for a lifetime. They bring Andrew to that stage, and Flatcher sets another trap. In my opinion, the most important scene in that movie is when the father hugs him. The father reminds him that he is a person worthy of love only, helping him restore his shattered self-esteem, and Andrew goes back on stage.

It's not just about waiting for those instructions. After you start, when you come in, I'll give you a signal. It would have been impossible if my father wasn't there. Oh, right. But now, if you think about what kind of person his father is to Neiman, even from the beginning of the movie, just by making that chocolate ball, you can see if his father is somewhat indifferent to Neiman. And even when the family was talking, you could sense that they didn't really respect Neiman for doing music. So, I was wondering how I should react to his father's response. So, at the lively family gathering, when Andrew says, I have moments when my face shows, while talking about Charlie Parker, in fact, it's a terrible story for parents to hear. So, from the beginning, his father keeps emphasizing that there are many other options. Andrew is really too immersed in that band or something.

I think you can overcome any fear. In that sense, the one who quietly watched over and supported Neiman was actually his father. I also think so. [Music] The music stops for a moment, and Fletcher and Neiman exchange intense gazes. [Music] The screen goes black, and the movie ends. Well, after watching this movie and looking for reviews, I'm not exactly sure about the ending. I feel quite confused as well. But it's really complex. I watched the movie from the perspective of psychological domination or emotional abuse in that scene. But now, on this stage, ultimately, there are two paths for Andrew to succeed. In a way, you could say that Andrew showed a dictatorial side. As a conductor, if he gives a signal, will he really become like Fletcher or not?

Because I understand the minds of those who have been hurt by Plath, I become someone who cares for those students, which leads to a completely different ending. So even after the movie ends, that feeling doesn't leave. It leaves a deep impression. Lastly, this is the corner I look forward to the most. I'm curious about Jiseon's perspective on Whiplash. Recently, the word gaslighting has been used so much, almost like an everyday term. We need to think about the reasons for this. In the past, people paid a lot of attention to physical abuse or violence, so emotional abuse, such as verbal violence, was actually overlooked. However, as we can see in movies, dominating and enslaving people's minds, hurting them with words, and causing harm are actually as destructive to the human soul as physical violence. So, watching this movie, we need to think about how we can prevent psychological domination and emotional abuse in the future.

It would be a chance to think about the dangers of verbal abuse together. Oh, I thought I was here to watch a music movie today, but I ended up watching a very thrilling thriller movie, feeling nervous and thrilled. I think I really enjoyed watching it. Everyone, please come and watch many more movies in the next screening. Thank you. Ordering Silver Linings Playbook itself is considered an action, right? Oh, I remember until 3 a.m. It comes to mind when it first appeared, it goes straight into this gray area.

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