Abstract

A Study on Adaptation in <A drifting story (Pyolyudo)>Lee, GilsungT h i s e s a y e x a m i n e s t h e a d a p t a t i o n o f < A D r i f t i n g S t o r y > ( K w o n Young-soon, 1960) and the significant points which bring about the changes in the proces of its adaptation. It is sugested that there are two very different points in this film as compared with its original novel. First, a courtrom scene is put in the introductory part. And it is transformed into the long flashback unfolding how the heroine ends up with murder. Second, she is maried to SangHyun but dies of her ilnes in the end. These changes in the proces of adaptation come from adoption of the melodramatic convention at that time. The introduction of the courtroom scene and the following flashback scene are popular in the dramatic composition of the so-caled crime melodrama in the late 50’s. The change of its ending, too, follows the melodramatic convention. Its commercial interests are also considered as the director and adaptor admitted. The film ends with heroin’s death just as love relations between protagonists fall apart in most melodramas concerning with widows. The point of the change shows the adapted characteristics emerging from the melodramatic aspects in those days accompanied with commercial interests. H o w e v e r , o w i n g t o i t s p r e s u r e o f t h e o r i g i n a l n o v e la n d expectation of receiving a prizeat the film festival, the filmis unable to