Byeon Gi-jong
Biography: Born Byun Chang Gyu on the 29th July 1895, in Seoul, Korea. He began to use the stage name Byun Ki Jong when he began theatre in 1912. In 1913 he met with Yi Gi Se who was a pioneer in the theatrical movement. In 1919, he joined the Chosun Literary Association of Yi Sensei, and starred in the serial play "Jigi". At this time, he was a young man in his mid-twenties, but he worked as a labourer and became a professional actor. He also performed in theatre performances, radio plays, and theatre companies. During the time of the US Military Government, he became chairman of the theatre of the Korea Theatre Association. However, as the US military 's left - wing oppression intensified, the left - wing connections of the theatre system became more and more common, and the free theatre stopped performing. In the Republic of Korea, the actor actively participated in the theatre scene. He made his on screen debut in "A Hometown in Heart" in 1949. In 1956, he was selected as a member of the Korean Academy of Arts. He was a veteran of the theatre industry, holding roles including deputy director of the Korean theatre arts department, advisor to the Korea Theatre Association, and director of the National Theatre Company. In 1973, he received the National Medal Mugunghwa.
Place of Birth: Not available
Birthday: July 29, 1895
Deathday: May 01, 1977
Popularity:
Known For
Iljimae the Chivalrous Robber
1961-05-11
Iljimae the Chivalrous Robber
Overview: Iljimae's parents were killed due to a conspiracy when he was young. Many years later he became a chivalrous robber, robbing corrupt officials and helping the poor. He eventually manages in taking revenge for his parents' deaths. But the police start to chase him, and he hides himself at a gisaeng's house. The gisaeng was his ex-fiancee. She also lost her parents to a conspiracy. She begs Iljimae to stay with her, but he leaves to do what he has to.
Genres: History Drama Action
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1961-05-11
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The Wedding Day
1956-11-27
The Wedding Day
Overview: Master Maeng is very proud that an influential family will soon be his esteemed in-laws when his loving daughter, Mi-yeon, marries their son. A few days before the wedding Maeng hears a rumor that his future son-in-law has a cripple leg. Regretting that he can't give his lovely daughter to a cripple, he decides to marry his maid to him instead. Unexpectedly the future son-in-law shows up at the wedding hall and he is not a cripple, but a healthy and handsome youth. Feeling embarrassed, there is no way but to wed the maid to him. The Wedding Day is a recreation of A Happy Day of Jinsa Maeng, a comical play by Oh Yeong Jin. The first Korean film to win an international film award, the Best Comedy Award at the 1957 edition of the Asian Film Festival (now Asia Pacific Film Festival).
Genres: Comedy Drama History
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1956-11-27
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Nameless Stars
1959-10-30
Nameless Stars
Overview: The son of a freedom fighter, Sang-hun is a member of an anti-Japanese resistance group called "Seongjinhoe," composed of students who share a dedication to the cause of liberation. Their spiritual guide is a teacher named Song Un-in. One day, Yeong-ae, whose brother is a detective in the Japanese police force charged with monitoring independence movements, joins their group. Following a series of sporadic incidents, the students gather one night to resolve on an uprising, but are discovered by the police. Young-ae is wrongfully accused of betraying their plans, but she risks her life in order to allow the group members to escape. The morning after, the students of Gwangju rise up against the Japanese government.
Genres: History
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1959-10-30
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Romance Papa
1960-01-28
Romance Papa
Overview: A middle-aged man is laid off from work but is too proud to tell his family. His children, however, learn of the situation and take jobs of their own to help him save face.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1960-01-28
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King Gojong and Martyr An Jung-Geun
1959-04-10
King Gojong and Martyr An Jung-Geun
Overview: At the end of the Joseon Dynasty, shortly after the Eulsa Treaty has been forced to be concluded by Ito Hirobumi and the pro-Japanese courtiers, Japan pressures King Gojong to step down from the throne. Meanwhile, An Jung-geun, who is cultivating men of ability at Samheung school, is deeply impressed by a speech made by An Chang-ho, and heads for Russia to volunteer the army fighting for independence of the country. As both a lieutenant general of the Korean militia and a commander of the Korean expeditionary force in Manchuria, he carries on the independence movement in defiance of Japanese coercion.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1959-04-10
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Even the Clouds Are Drifting
1959-11-05
Even the Clouds Are Drifting
Overview: A 10-year old girl in a mining town, separated from her family, keeps a diary which becomes a best-seller.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1959-11-05
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Chun Hui
1959-05-01
Chun Hui
Overview: A young man is in love with a waitress, but his father opposes their relationship. The father approaches the waitress telling her that if she truly loved his son, she would abandon him. She submits to the father's wish, though she is dying from tuberculosis.
Genres: Romance Drama
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1959-05-01
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Evergreen Tree
1961-09-20
Evergreen Tree
Overview: Yeong-shin and Dong-hyuk graduate from college with a cause. They plan to bring education and modernization to farmers living in the rural area of their hometown. When they arrive, the pair immediately get to work, Dong-hyuk builds a village hall and starts aiding the farmers while Yeong-shin tries to gather the children to form a school. However, the villagers at first resent and resist the pair. It is not until one child, Ok-bun, takes the initiative and and learns to read under Yeong-shin’s care that the villages trust the pair and allow their children to be taken from the fields and taught reading, writing and math.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1961-09-20
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Tyrant Yeonsan
1962-02-05
Tyrant Yeonsan
Overview: Prince Yeonsan-gun turns into a tyrant out of grief for his mother's death. He orders beheadings of all the officials who displease him or who advised the previous king to depose the queen. He becomes crueler by the day. But in 10th year of his reign, he is kicked out of the throne and dies a tragic death.
Genres: History Thriller Drama
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1962-02-05
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Prince Yeonsan
1961-12-31
Prince Yeonsan
Overview: A historical drama about Prince Yeon-san of Joseon as a prince trying to restore the status of his mother, the deposed and executed Queen Yun.
Genres: Drama History
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1961-12-31
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A Red-and-blue Gauze Lantern
1967-07-01
A Red-and-blue Gauze Lantern
Overview:
Genres: Drama Romance History
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1967-07-01
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A Happy Day of Jinsa Maeng
1962-03-08
A Happy Day of Jinsa Maeng
Overview: Jinsa Maeng's daughter is contracted to marry a nobleman's son, however, Jinsa Maeng is upset when he hears about a rumor that the fiance of his daughter is lame. Finally, he decides to take on the idea of arranging his maid to take his daughter's place in the wedding.
Genres: Comedy Drama History
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1962-03-08
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Fooled by Love, Hurt by Money
1939-03-17
Fooled by Love, Hurt by Money
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1939-03-17
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The Way of Hwarang
1962-09-13
The Way of Hwarang
Overview: His parents captured by the Baekje armies, prince Eo-jin infiltrates the enemy castle alone to seek revenge. His plot is ruined when he falls in love with a princess there and is forced to choose between betraying his parents and nation or the woman he loves.
Genres: History Drama Romance
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1962-09-13
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Full Ship
1967-01-20
Full Ship
Overview: A film picturing the lives and adversities of fishermen who live and die in the sea.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1967-01-20
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Nakdong River
1952-11-15
Nakdong River
Overview: After graduating from university, Il-ryeong goes back to his hometown, a small village beside the Nakdong River. Ok-nam is his lover and a teacher in his hometown. He cooperates with her in order to enlighten the people and to improve the village. Nakdong River is, along with The Street of Sun (1952) and A Bouquet of Thirty Million People (1951), one of the important films made during the Korean War that the Korean Film Archive has rediscovered and made available to the public.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1952-11-15
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Herb of Desire
1968-11-23
Herb of Desire
Overview: Two traditional stories. In the first, a girl marries the bravest man in the village so she can send him into a monster's lair to collect an mystic herb which can save her father's life. In the second story, even death cannot prevent a devoted wife from helping in her husband's success.
Genres: Romance Drama Horror
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1968-11-23
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The Martyrs
1965-06-17
The Martyrs
Overview: Out of fourteen ministers taken away by the communist troop, only two come back alive. The mystery behind their survival is at the issue here. Told through one of the survivor's testimony, depicts images of men troubled between the war and the religion. Although laden with anti-Communist notions from the 60's military regime.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1965-06-17
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A Widow
1960-11-05
A Widow
Overview:
Genres: Romance Drama
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1960-11-05
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Hong Kil-Dong
1958-09-06
Hong Kil-Dong
Overview:
Genres: Adventure History
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1958-09-06
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Princess Ok-ran and Hwalbindang
1960-12-02
Princess Ok-ran and Hwalbindang
Overview:
Genres: Adventure History Romance
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1960-12-02
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When the Night Comes Again
1958-07-22
When the Night Comes Again
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1958-07-22
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A Star
1961-04-05
A Star
Overview:
Genres: Romance History Drama
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1961-04-05
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Prince Ho-Dong and Princess Nak-Rang
1956-06-13
Prince Ho-Dong and Princess Nak-Rang
Overview:
Genres: Romance History War
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1956-06-13
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Great Monk Wonhyo
1962-02-15
Great Monk Wonhyo
Overview:
Genres: History Romance War
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1962-02-15
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Soil
1967-05-18
Soil
Overview:
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1967-05-18
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King Dongmyeong
1962-11-03
King Dongmyeong
Overview:
Genres: History Action Romance
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1962-11-03
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A Sad Story of Danjong
1963-01-25
A Sad Story of Danjong
Overview:
Genres: History Drama
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1963-01-25
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A Water Mill
1966-11-10
A Water Mill
Overview: There is a poor farmer couple. The landowner, an old man, covetous of the tenant's wife, tries to seduce her and sometimes threatens her. The wife spends every night with the old man at the water mill. Her husband, hearing the news, runs to the water mill and witnesses them together. He picks up the sickle that was placed near and kills his wife. The landowner escapes and the farmer gets arrested by a Japanese policeman.
Genres: Horror Fantasy Drama
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1966-11-10
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Palace of Ambition
1957-12-18
Palace of Ambition
Overview: A nobleman bribes a maidservant to gain access to the palace and poison the crown prince. Another noble, loyal to the royal family, learns the of the plot and must learn the identity of the would-be assassin before he can succeed in throwing the country into chaos.
Genres: Drama History Action
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1957-12-18
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A Hometown in Heart
1949-02-09
A Hometown in Heart
Overview: An orphan left in the care of a Buddhist temple becomes attached to a young widow who arrives there to mourn her recently deceased son.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1949-02-09
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The Devil
1957-03-31
The Devil
Overview: Based on a story by Nae-seong Kim.
Genres: Mystery
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1957-03-31
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The Chivalrous Robber
1920-04-05
The Chivalrous Robber
Overview: A bandit group is fighting to help the poor.
Genres: Drama History Action
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1920-04-05
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A Truly Good Friend
1920-04-24
A Truly Good Friend
Overview:
Genres: Romance
Original Language: ko
Release Date: 1920-04-24
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