Bae Jung-nam reveals blood-stained 1950s Taegukgi for Liberation Day

Model and actor Bae Jung-nam has revealed a collection of 1950s Taegukgi flags he has cherished for a long time to mark the 81st Liberation Day. The traces of time left on the faded and torn fabric went beyond being mere collectibles, evoking the passage of an era.

On the 15th, Bae posted a video on his account with the caption, "The 81st Liberation Day. Taegukgi from the 1950s that I have diligently collected."

The video showed several Taegukgi flags collected by Bae himself. The faded fabric, damaged spots, and clear signs of long-term use were evident. Because these were not perfectly preserved artifacts, but rather old and worn Taegukgi, the accumulated time within them felt even more powerful.

A Taegukgi is more than just a national flag; it is a symbol that holds the memories of an era. In particular, Taegukgi from the 1950s, which endured the turmoil of the Republic of Korea's modern history through post-liberation chaos and war, holds special significance.

The reason Bae became interested in collecting Taegukgi is also connected to his acting. He previously revealed that he developed a special interest in the flag after playing the role of independence fighter Cho Do-seon in the movie "Hero," following his appearance in the Netflix program "Try? Choo-ry!" released last year.

At the time, Bae explained that the colors had faded due to the long passage of time as he took out and showed his collected flags one by one. The flag he particularly treasures was a torn one.

Expressing his affection for the torn flag, he said, "This is a Taegukgi containing the souls of our ancestors," and added, "It holds time and history."

What drew even more attention was a red stain remaining on the flag. When Lee Chang-ho, who discovered the stain during the broadcast, asked about the trace, Bae replied, "It looks like blood." While it cannot be confirmed if it is actual blood, the Taegukgi he gazed upon seemed to overlap with a historical image beyond simple contamination.

While a national flag symbolizes a nation, an old flag sometimes becomes a 'material of memory' that holds the memories of individuals and communities. In some cases, a single piece of old and crumpled cloth can make one imagine history more concretely than a perfect artifact preserved inside a museum glass case.

The Taegukgi revealed by Bae is special in that sense. The fading colors and torn fabric are traces of damage, but they are also proof of how long it has existed.

The message becomes even clearer as he revealed such a flag on Liberation Day. Liberation is not merely a past event, but a history that has continued to the present through the sacrifice and endurance of many people. The Taegukgi is one of the symbols that allows us to remember that history in its most everyday form.

Through his experience playing an independence activist, Bae has come to view its meaning anew and continues his interest by collecting Taegukgi himself. It is a case where a character he portrayed as an actor has expanded into a personal interest in actual history.

Bae debuted as a fashion model in 2002 and later expanded his career into acting. He has appeared in films such as "Hero," "Berlin," "Master," "Mr. Zoo: The Missing VIP," and "OK Madam," and also appeared in the drama "Mr. Sunshine."

Contrary to his glamorous celebrity image, what he brought out on Liberation Day was an old and faded Taegukgi. This revelation feels even more heavy as he remembered history through an object marked by the wounds of time rather than the beauty of something new.

Time makes objects old, but it does not make memories old. The 1950s Taegukgi revealed by Bae seems to be a small piece of historical evidence that demonstrates exactly that.