Salangeul chajaseo
Encyclopedia
Salangeul chajaseo (In Search of Love) is a 1929
Korea
n film written, directed, produced, edited by and starring Na Woon-gyu
(1902-1937). The film premiered at the Choseon Theater in April, 1929. More than one thousand extras from Na's hometown Hoeryong
were employed in the filming of Salangeul chajaseo, making the film into a symbolic epic national exodus as a protest against the Japanese occupation of Korea
. Originally entitled Crossing the Duman River (두만강을 건너서), the film was banned and censored by the Japanese occupying authorities after its first showing. Popular demand caused it to be re-released, though in a heavily edited form, and renamed In Search of Love. As with the vast majority of Korea
n films of this era, Salangeul chajaseo is a lost film
.
. Seeking a better life in Manchuria
, the three are attacked by bandits and the Japanese while attempting to cross the ice-covered Duman River
which borders Korea and Manchuria. With his last breath, Kokosu blows the army bugle
he had carried with him all his life. Dong-min takes the bugle and continues playing it.
1929 in film
-Events:The days of the silent film are numbered. A mad scramble to provide synchronized sound is on.*January 20 - The movie In Old Arizona is released. The film is the first full-length talking film to be filmed outdoors....
Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n film written, directed, produced, edited by and starring Na Woon-gyu
Na Woon-gyu
Na Woon-gyu was a Korean actor, screenwriter and director. He is widely considered the most important filmmaker in early Korean cinema, and possibly Korea's first true movie star...
(1902-1937). The film premiered at the Choseon Theater in April, 1929. More than one thousand extras from Na's hometown Hoeryong
Hoeryong
Hoeryŏng is a city in North Hamgyŏng Province, North Korea. It is opposite Jilin Province, China, with the Tumen River in between. Sanhe , in Longjing prefecture, is the closest Chinese town across the river. Hoeryŏng is said to be the birthplace of Kim Il Sung's first wife and Kim Jong Il's...
were employed in the filming of Salangeul chajaseo, making the film into a symbolic epic national exodus as a protest against the Japanese occupation of Korea
Korea under Japanese rule
Korea was under Japanese rule as part of Japan's 35-year imperialist expansion . Japanese rule ended in 1945 shortly after the Japanese defeat in World War II....
. Originally entitled Crossing the Duman River (두만강을 건너서), the film was banned and censored by the Japanese occupying authorities after its first showing. Popular demand caused it to be re-released, though in a heavily edited form, and renamed In Search of Love. As with the vast majority of Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n films of this era, Salangeul chajaseo is a lost film
Lost film
A lost film is a feature film or short film that is no longer known to exist in studio archives, private collections or public archives such as the Library of Congress, where at least one copy of all American films are deposited and catalogued for copyright reasons...
.
Plot summary
The plot concerns three characters who have lost hope in continuing their lives in Korea—Kokosu (Lee Geum-ryong), an old man who has lost his farmland; Dong-min (Na Woon-gyu); and Jong-hui (Jeong Ok), who had been betrayed by her boyfriend. Kokosu had been a bugler in the Korean military during the last days of the Joseon DynastyJoseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
. Seeking a better life in Manchuria
Manchuria
Manchuria is a historical name given to a large geographic region in northeast Asia. Depending on the definition of its extent, Manchuria usually falls entirely within the People's Republic of China, or is sometimes divided between China and Russia. The region is commonly referred to as Northeast...
, the three are attacked by bandits and the Japanese while attempting to cross the ice-covered Duman River
Tumen River
The Tumen River is a 521 km-long river that serves as part of the boundary between China, North Korea, and Russia, rising in Mount Baekdu and flowing into the Sea of Japan....
which borders Korea and Manchuria. With his last breath, Kokosu blows the army bugle
Bugle (instrument)
The bugle is one of the simplest brass instruments, having no valves or other pitch-altering devices. All pitch control is done by varying the player's embouchure, since the bugle has no other mechanism for controlling pitch. Consequently, the bugle is limited to notes within the harmonic series...
he had carried with him all his life. Dong-min takes the bugle and continues playing it.
External links
See also
- List of Korean language films
- Cinema of KoreaCinema of KoreaKorean cinema encompasses the motion picture industries of North and South Korea. As with all aspects of Korean life during the past century, the film industry has often been at the mercy of political events, from the late Joseon dynasty to the Korean War to domestic governmental interference...
- List of Korea-related topics