Jurnal Penelitian Humaniora
Vol 31, No 2 (2026)

Do I look good? Dandyism and spiritual figures in Exhuma, the Wailing, and the Divine Fury

Faninda Wahyu Khaerani (Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Mas Said Surakarta)
Syahrul Hidayat (Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Mas Said Surakarta)
Fardh Aulia Hakim (Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Mas Said Surakarta)
Muhammad Syamsul (Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Mas Said Surakarta)
Ihsan Ikhlasul Amal (Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Mas Said Surakarta)



Article Info

Publish Date
03 Oct 2026

Abstract

This study examines the representation of dandyism through shamanic and spiritual figures in the films Exhuma, The Wailing, and The Divine Fury, using Elisabeth Amann’s (2015) framework of the Three Imaginations: paranoid, catastrophic, and anachronic imagination. Employing a qualitative approach, the study analyzes visual and textual data from the films using Spradley’s data analysis technique. The findings reveal that dandyism is represented differently across the three films. In Exhuma, the shaman’s appearance and ritual practices reflect anachronic and catastrophic imagination. In The Wailing, the shaman’s ambiguous identity creates tension and reflects paranoid imagination, particularly through the character’s self-presentation and relationship with the surrounding community. In The Divine Fury, Father Ahn, a Catholic priest and exorcist, embodies all three forms of imagination through his distinctive priestly attire, rejection of materialistic values, and use of traditional religious practices in a contemporary urban setting. These representations demonstrate how dandyism can be expressed through distinctive appearances, personal values, and resistance to conformity. This study contributes to the understanding of dandyism in contemporary South Korean cinema and offers further insights into how spiritual figures are represented through the interplay of tradition, modernity, and individuality.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

humaniora

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Environmental Science Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Social Sciences

Description

Jurnal Penelitian Humaniora is published by Institute of Research and Community Service, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta Jurnal Penelitian Humaniora publishes articles of non educational research and issues related to humanity (culture, language, arts, social ...