Independent filmmakers are usually in their 20s or early 30s, while fans are mostly in their 20s. There was a time when independent films were considered as tools of the democratic movement in this country. Films produced in the 1980s were mostly about the problems of the poor, human rights, the military regime and national unification. Since the early 1990s, however, the topics have become diverse partly because of the change in the sociopolitical situations and the changing tastes of the audience. New topics include men's inner struggle, the meaning of life, personal experiences in everyday life, religion, philosophy, arts and love.
Independent films deal with everything.
Easier public access to independent films is another recent feature. In the past, independent films were shown only on college campuses or in secret venues because they had not passed government screening. Recently, some independent feature films released at public cinemas after passing censorship. Some works have also won awards at prestigious international film festivals. In the West, independent films came into being in the early 1960s and have developed in concert with commercial movies.