The film "The Odyssey" is drawing crowds at home and abroad. Interest in the film — based on the Greek classic of the same name, widely regarded as a foundation of Western culture — is spilling over into related books, exhibitions and other content. Critics say the phenomenon reflects both the striking visuals achieved through live-action shooting and the power of a classic work of humanities that can still resonate thousands of years later.
Kim Tae-jin, head of the Corporate Talent Research Institute, praised the film in an interview with The Seoul Economic Daily on the 21st. "'The Odyssey' keeps the core themes of the original while appealingly adapting the characteristics and plot of its protagonist, Odysseus, to a modern worldview," Kim said. "Storytelling — creating your own story — is what is driving the film's success." Kim added that "just as with 'The Odyssey,' the competitiveness of individuals and organizations in the AI era also hinges on storytelling." Kim founded the Corporate Talent Research Institute in 2009 and provides training in areas such as job preparation and strengthening the capabilities of organizational members. Kim is also active as a humanities expert, sharing "art humanities" — which combines art and the humanities — through books and a YouTube channel. Kim recently published a book, "The Odyssey: How Should We Read It," introducing everyday lessons that can be drawn from the classic.
Kim pointed to "storytelling that promotes yourself" as the key to competitiveness in the AI era. "Knowledge and information can now be accessed easily anywhere, so their value has fallen," Kim explained. "You have to create your own story and earn the trust and empathy of others." Kim went on to suggest that "your own story can only gain value when it contains a concept — a differentiated message," adding that "this must be underpinned by knowledge of the humanities." On the value of the humanities, Kim explained that "through history, philosophy, literature and appreciating art, you can survey the course human beings have lived, and as your understanding of people deepens, your ability to create content such as messages can improve."
Kim also stressed the need to develop professional capabilities grounded in self-understanding. "These days, if you do not know what kind of person you are and what you are good at, it is hard to find a place to stand," Kim noted. As a way to understand oneself, Kim explained that "you should connect the things you find meaningful in life and find something you can pour your passion into." Kim said, "Choose a field of interest, use AI to acquire knowledge and information, and then create your own story," adding that "you can secure your place in society only if you try without fear."
Kim advised that such efforts are important for young people facing head-on the harsh job market of the AI era. "Instead of building up credentials such as certifications, you need job preparation suited to the AI era," Kim explained. "If you can handle AI skillfully and produce results with an accurate sense in your field of interest, you can land a job even without work experience." Corporate hiring strategies are indeed changing. SK hynix (000660.KS) fully abolished educational requirements in its new-graduate hiring starting in June, and for the new-graduate recruitment it is conducting this month, it plans to comprehensively assess job expertise, use of AI and logical thinking through assignments and interviews.
Kim explained that lessons about how to live can also be drawn from Odysseus's journey. He first cited how Odysseus rejected the immortality offered by Calypso, the goddess he had lived with for seven years, and chose the arduous journey home to Ithaca. "In the past, you could achieve a certain level of results even by following others, but in the AI era you have to be able to stake everything on what you set out to do and take on the challenge," Kim explained. On Odysseus binding himself to the mast so he would not be seduced by the Sirens' song during his voyage, Kim said it "shows the need for a means to control temptations that we cannot overcome by our own will alone in life."
In his recently published book, Kim lays out the major events of Odysseus's journey and introduces the most decisive moment of each event and its background. "In the film, Odysseus is portrayed as a serious, good person, but the original depicts him as a light figure — a not-so-good character who deceives others without hesitation," Kim explained. "The adventures of Odysseus, with his all-too-human side, remind us of ourselves hesitating at each moment of choice."
