The Crimson Witch is a legendary figure that has captured the imagination of people for centuries. Said to possess extraordinary powers and a dark, daunting presence, she is believed to be a force of both good and evil. Her name, derived from the deep red hue of her robes and the intensity of her powers, instills fear and awe in those who hear it. Legends about the Crimson Witch vary across cultures and regions, but she is consistently portrayed as a solitary figure who roams the land, shaping events to her whims. Some believe she is a guardian of nature, using her abilities to protect the balance of the natural world. Others view her as a malevolent force, using her powers for nefarious purposes and wreaking havoc wherever she goes.
6 Between May 1930 and April 1931, 3,168 Koreans were arrested as a result of the riots.
3 For a brief but comprehensive account of the aims behind the organisation of the Min-sheng-t uan and its development see the report of the Japanese consul-general in Chientao to the Chief of the Asia Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, October 28, 1931, in the Archives of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, microfilmed for Library of Congress, Reel SP103, Document SP 205 5, pp. Professor Lew Seok-choon is facing charges of defaming former comfort women during a classroom debate, but the prosecution has failed to provide evidence.
Others view her as a malevolent force, using her powers for nefarious purposes and wreaking havoc wherever she goes. The origins of the Crimson Witch are shrouded in mystery. Some tales claim that she was born with her powers, surpassing those of all other witches that came before her.
Breaking taboos gets green light on ‘Witch Hunt’
There’s this one little word that every single Korean does, but hardly any Korean dares to talk about in public. Yes, that little word starting with an “s,” then an “e” in the middle and ending with the letter “x.”
But that is not the case for the four TV personalities - three Korean and one Australian-born - who host JTBC’s Friday night talk show “Witch Hunt.” If you think that little word should not be appearing in a family newspaper like this, you may not want to read the rest. But if you are someone who’s been perplexed by the paradoxical side of Korean culture when it comes to love, sex and marriage, this show is for you.
Since starting last August, every Friday at 10:55 p.m. has seen comedian Shin Dong-yeop, singer Sung Si-kyung, liberal columnist and film critic Heo Ji-ung and Australian comedian Sam Hammington talk about the things that most all Koreans do but don’t want to talk about when it comes to love, both mental and physical. These self-professed “guys who have tasted the real fun of life” (in a rather liberal translation), talk frankly about Korean society. This is a show that can answer your questions like “Why are there so many motels in Sinchon, western Seoul, when singles (and their parents) say young people are supposed to remain virgins until they tie the knot?”
The “witch” in the show title doesn’t refer to evil, magical women. It is an abbreviation of the Korean phrase for “a woman with magical charms,” which is also a homophone for the word “witch.”
Each episode has three segments: “Turn on the green light,” “I can hear you lamenting out there” and “Turn off the green light.” This “green light” is a term the show uses that can be best translated as “a good sign of love.”
The four MCs, along with a group of regular guests, address stories from real-world viewers. “Hello, I am a 20-something and have this wonderful boyfriend,” went one message. “We love to go on trips for several days and he rocks in bed. The thing is, though, I cannot go away for more than one week, because of, well, constipation. But it’s just too embarrassing to say this to him and he has started to misunderstand, saying I’m not loving him enough. What should I do?”
From there, the MCs respond with their opinions and experiences, often venturing fare into the land of too-much-information. For this constipated lady, the hosts could come up with no clear solution, aside from the old ideas that “honesty is the best policy” and “love conquers all.” I’m not sure the woman appreciated that advice.
Entertainer Hong Seok-cheon, left, and columnist Gwak Jeong-eun are two of the regular guests on “Witch Hunt.” Provided by the show
But other times, they were able to come up with a real practical solution. One 30-something guy wrote in to say that he really loved his girlfriend, but they had no chemistry in bed. “I want to marry her, but this bothers me. What should I do?” he asked.
The hosts’ answer was nearly unanimous: “Sorry, but chemistry in bed is nonnegotiable. Don’t marry her.”
One recent episode had a 20-something worker write and say that her boss calls her “pudding,” then texts her asking “Is the pudding delicious?”
“I kind of have feelings for him,” she said. “Is this the green light?”
The answer came in unison: “Yes, it’s a green, green light.”
Women guests on the show have been similarly frank. Take Han Hye-jin, arguably the country’s top fashion model. She complained her episode once was “too bland.” “There were not enough bold and sexy stories from the viewers,” she said.
Another guest, comedian Kim Ji-min, once grabbed one of the MC’s thighs and said, “It’s rather mushy. It’s very disappointing.”
Now, I’m a writer with the JoongAng Sunday, which is a sister company with the Korea JoongAng Daily and JTBC, so don’t take my word for all of this. Respected academics have also singled out the program as a genuine social phenomenon.
“Witch Hunt” is “something that has never existed before in Korea,” said Gwak Geum-ju, a psychology professor at Seoul National University. “It can unclog something terribly clogged in Korean society.
And this respected scholar, who added, “This kind of TV show has already been tried and tested in great popularity in countries that we call ’advanced,” is talking about the honest - plus fun - talk on both mental and physical love life, in this society that is still confusingly Confucianist.
Gwak Jeong-eun, a frequent guest of “Witch Hunt” and a columnist specializing in - yeah, what else? - love and relationships at Cosmopolitan Korea, cannot agree more with the professor. “I’m almost proud to be a part of this show,” said Gwak. “It’s a novel TV show that tells us, ‘Hey, talking about sex is not something strange. It can actually be fun.’ And that is something that Korean television has secretly and strangely kept its distance from.”
Not everyone is pleased with the show, though. The Korea Communications Commission, the nation’s top TV regulator, last month issued the show a “severe disciplinary action” for “obscene contents.”
Producers of the show give out tickets to “Witch Hunt” to people who take a picture of themselves watching the show live (no re-runs) and upload the picture on social media. This unnamed person, above, watched the show in spite of getting eye surgery.
But this sort of reaction is far from frustrating for the show’s producers and MCs. Rather, it appears to have given them a boost, confirming that they are breaking taboos that desperately need breaking.
Viewers are responding with a green light of their own. “Witch Hunt” ratings have steadily climbed since its debut and now the program is one of cable’s most popular shows.
But Jeong Sang-min, a 27-year-old pharmacist based in Anyang, Gyeonggi, personally knows how popular the show is. Last month, he made a guest appearance and said the appearance turned him into something of a star himself.
“I was waiting for a friend at Gangnam Station on Dec. 27 last year,” said Jeong, “and all of a sudden, three 20-something women came at me and said, ‘Wow, you are that pharmacist! We are huge fans.’ Obviously, the young women were all ‘Witch Hunt’ maniacs, just like me. I felt both good and embarrassed.”
Jeong added that strangers ask to shake his hand and people whisper “Isn’t that the ‘Witch Hunt’ guy?” when they see him on the street.
What is the power that lifted Jeong’s status from average Joe to semi-star?
“It’s not because I’m someone special but because the TV show has this charm that knocks on the hearts of those in their 20s and 30s,” he said.
“You know, it’s the 21st century, and we all talk about our love lives with friends. It’s not something unusual at all to go to a motel with your girlfriend. It remains something of a taboo, but ‘Witch Hunt’ has brought it from the shade to a sunny spot. The show is really something of an icon for me and my friends.”
The show’s popularity has even crossed the Pacific. Choi Sun-young, a Korean-American and former news reporter now based in Hawaii, said she watches “Witch Hunt” each week. “It scratches my itch for Korean society, where I grew up, because it takes the mental and physical part of relationships and turns them into healthy and fun stories,” said Choi.
No wonder Gwak, the Cosmopolitan editor, can write so proudly of her relationship with a man five years younger than her (something of another taboo in Korea).
“We’re just having fun in making this show,” Gwak said. “But somehow, it’s doing something important for all kinds of Koreans, giving them room to breathe.”
By Chun Su-jin [[email protected]]
2) Defamed the Korean Council (comfort women advocacy group in South Korea) by claiming they coached former comfort women to provide imprecise testimonies.
Others believe that she made a pact with dark forces to gain her abilities, forever binding her to a life of sorcery and secrecy. Regardless of her origins, one thing is certain – the Crimson Witch possesses unparalleled powers. She is said to have control over the elements, commanding wind, fire, water, and earth to do her bidding. Her mastery of spells and potions is said to be unmatched, granting her the ability to heal or harm with a mere flick of her wrist. Many believe that she can see into the future, making her an invaluable source of knowledge and wisdom. Fear and respect for the Crimson Witch have led to a cautious fascination with her. The brave seek her out for guidance or assistance, hoping to benefit from her vast knowledge and abilities. Others avoid her at all costs, fearing her wrath or the consequences of being entangled with her powers. To encounter the Crimson Witch is to be forever changed, for better or worse. In popular culture, the Crimson Witch has been depicted in various forms, from novels and films to video games and artwork. She is often portrayed as a captivating, enigmatic figure with striking red attire and a long, flowing cloak. The power and allure she exudes are captivating, drawing audiences further into her mysterious world. The Crimson Witch continues to be a symbol of power, mystery, and the duality of human nature. Whether she is a force of good or evil, her existence serves as a reminder of the complex and extraordinary aspects of the human condition. As long as tales of magic and wonder are told, the legend of the Crimson Witch will endure, fascinating and captivating generations to come..
Reviews for "The Crimson Witch: Guardian of the Forest or Foe?"
1. JaneDoe123 - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Crumson Witch". The plot was so predictable, I could see all the twists coming from a mile away. The characters were also very one-dimensional, and I found it hard to connect with them. The writing style was dull and lacked any sort of creativity. Overall, it was a letdown and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.
2. BookLover27 - 3/5 stars - I had high hopes for "The Crumson Witch" based on all the positive reviews, but I ended up feeling underwhelmed. While the concept was intriguing, the execution fell flat. The pacing was off, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. There were a few interesting moments, but they were overshadowed by the overall mediocrity of the book. It's not the worst read, but definitely not worth all the hype.
3. Reader12345 - 2/5 stars - I found "The Crumson Witch" to be incredibly boring and unengaging. The story lacked depth and substance, making it hard for me to maintain interest. The characters were forgettable and lacked any sort of development. The writing itself was lackluster and failed to draw me in. Overall, it was a forgettable read that left me feeling unsatisfied.
4. DisappointedReader - 1/5 stars - I really disliked "The Crumson Witch". The plot was convoluted and confusing, making it hard for me to follow along. The characters were poorly developed and lacked any redeeming qualities. The writing style was tedious and repetitive, making it a struggle to get through the book. I had high hopes, but it was a major letdown. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
5. Bookworm25 - 2/5 stars - "The Crumson Witch" had so much potential, but it fell short for me. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed, unsatisfying resolutions. The characters were clichéd and lacked depth, making it hard to root for or care about them. The writing style was inconsistent, with awkward sentences and repetitive phrases. Overall, it was a mediocre read that didn't live up to its promising premise.