“We Have a Beating Heart for 10 Million Dollars, Too.” : Considerations on Realities, Problems, and Policy Proposals of Korean Disability Sports Reproduced in the Films 〈Mal-aton〉 and 〈Glove〉

Abstract

PURPOSE This study aimed to examine the difficult realities, unresolved problems, and policy proposals of disability sports in Korea through the disability sports movies <Mal-aton> and <Glove>.METHODS We conducted a textual analysis from the perspective of critical theory.RESULTS The problems of Korean disabled sports revealed in the films <Mal-aton> and <Glove> could be cattegorized into three major issues: 'incorrect prejudice and indifference' of non-disabled people that disabled people will not be able to enjoy sports; 'sports facilities' where non-disabled people are prioritized and disabled people are marginalized, and the 'absence of sports facilities' specialized for disabled people; and the 'lack of leaders' who correctly understand the characteristics of the disabled. These have been pointed out as causes that keep them away from the natural right to enjoy sports.CONCLUSIONS The films <Mal-aton> (2005) and <Glove> (2011) were made based on true stories, and despite the fact that more than 10 years have passed since they were made, it remains a sad reality that the problems of Korean disabled sports shown in the films remain unresolved. Improvement measures in various aspects are required to promote sports for the disabled from the perspective of lifelong and adapted sports, such as media education and publicity that can eliminate misunderstanding and prejudice against people with disabilities, building sports facilities tailored to the disabled, and improving the treatment of sports instructors for the disabled.