The Netflix documentary I Am a Survivor has continued to receive strong reactions even five days after its release.
As of the 19th, the work, which had ranked first in the Korean Netflix series institutional sector as of the 17th, is now in second place. Although it has fallen one rank since it held the top spot for several days right after its release, interest and buzz about the piece have not waned.
In fact, on online communities, there have been viewer comments such as "I had nightmares after watching it," "I feel a surge of anger," and "It's so hard to watch until the end," as well as reactions empathizing with the gravity of the survivors' testimonies.
I Am a Survivor is a sequel to I Am God, which caused a social stir last year, recording four shocking incidents in South Korea—the JMS (Christian Gospel Mission), the Brothers Home, the Jongno Cult, and the collapse of the Sampoong Department Store—through the voices of the survivors. It is not just a simple listing of events but focuses on the fact that the victims themselves come forward as witnesses, warning of ongoing pain and the possibility of recurrence.
However, even before its release, the work became embroiled in legal and external controversies. First, there were allegations of internal spying during the production process. At a press conference on the 13th, director Cho Sung-hyun said, "During the last season, believers infiltrated the team to the extent that even the edited version was leaked," and added, "Ultimately, those who had their brainwashing lifted came forward to testify in front of the camera and greatly assisted in the production of Season 2. This time, there were almost no leaks, which indicates that security was maintained."
Additionally, the JMS side filed for a broadcasting ban, claiming "defamation of character through false facts." MBC and Netflix countered this by stating that it was produced based on facts for public interest. Subsequently, on the 14th, the Seoul Western District Court dismissed the broadcasting ban request for the Netflix documentary I Am a Survivor filed by the Christian Gospel Mission (JMS) and former believers.
After many twists and turns, I Am a Survivor was released to over 190 countries worldwide on the 15th, proving once again that documentaries can open up a space for social discussion. The viewers' anger and empathy, which are even stronger than the rankings, are validating the impact of the work.
[Photo] Provided by Netflix
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