Comparative Study on Aesthetic Features of Black-and-White Images in Chinese and Korean Films — Centered on Films Shadow and The Book of Fish

Abstract

Since the birth of cinema, film has undergone transitions from silent to sound, from black-and-white to color. From the Lumière Brothers’ monochrome films to the first color film Becky Sharp, black-and-white and color imagery have each developed uniquely in cinematic art. Today, although black-and-white imagery is no longer mainstream, it continues to captivate audiences with its unique artistic charm and value. This paper compares the visual styles and aesthetic contexts of black-and-white imagery in Chinese and Korean films, focusing on Chinese director Zhang Yimou’s Shadow and Korean director Lee Joon-ik’s The Book of Fish. Integrating theories from narratology and psychology, this research explores the contemporary application and artistic value of black-and-white imagery.