"Following the release of two sequels next year, plans extend to five"
"Anti-Japanese? Exploiting ethnic sentiments" Criticism of grave excavation again
Director Kim Deok-young, who made the documentary film 'Geon-guk Jeonjaeng' (The Founding War) about the life and politics of former President Rhee Syngman, announced plans to produce up to five sequels. He also criticized the film 'Pamyoh' (Exhumation), which was screened alongside it in theaters, saying, "I thought an order had been issued."
At the production presentation for 'Geon-guk Jeonjaeng 2' held on the afternoon of the 29th at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Director Kim said, "There is a lot to talk about," and added, "It seems it will go up to five parts."
'Geon-guk Jeonjaeng,' which was released on the 1st of this month, attracted 500,000 viewers in 16 days and 1 million viewers in 27 days, achieving an unprecedented success for a documentary film. Director Kim said, "I didn't expect it to be a hit when I started, but honestly, I feel dazed," and added, "It's like a miracle that we've come this far." Korean documentary films that have attracted 1 million viewers include 'My Love, Don't Cross That River' (2014, 4.8 million viewers), 'Old Partner' (2009, 2.93 million viewers), and 'I Am No Mu-hyun' (2017, 1.85 million viewers), making this the fourth. Director Kim said, "Personally, I hope to surpass 'I Am No Mu-hyun,'" and added, "Isn't it symbolically fitting that President Rhee Syngman is in the highest position?"
'Geon-guk Jeonjaeng 2' is planned to be produced with the goal of releasing it on March 26 next year, the 150th anniversary of former President Rhee's birth. He said, "The scope of research for the first film was very broad, so there are many edited scenes that couldn't be included in the film." The subtitle is 'The Man Rhee Syngman.' Director Kim said, "I read Rhee Syngman's diary twice," and added, "It will include his personal stories."
The second installment plans to cover former President Rhee's personal life, human relationships, and Christian faith. Director Kim said, "Rhee Syngman was the first person to travel around the world in an era when Joseon was not yet enlightened and did not even know what modernity was. When I connected the records he left around the world in chronological order as points, an enormous picture was created."
The English title of the first film is 'Birth of Korea,' but the second is 'Birth of Korean.' He explained, "If the first film talked about how Korea was made, the second will cover how the Korean people living on that land were formed, and how much of a great gift the first generation of the founding gave us in that process."
'Geon-guk Jeonjaeng' was released in two CGV theaters in Los Angeles, USA, and a screening at the US Congress in Washington DC is scheduled for the 20th of next month. Director Kim said, "We are also promoting a plan to screen it at the United Nations. Rhee Syngman is a politician who has significant implications for underdeveloped countries overseen by the UN."
Earlier, Director Kim targeted the film 'Pamyoh' on his social media, saying, "Anti-Japanese independence? Leftists are flocking to 'Pamyoh,' which again stirs up anti-Japanese sentiment," and added, "Those who feel threatened by 'Geon-guk Jeonjaeng' are taking out their frustrations by covering it up with 'Pamyoh.'" Released on the 22nd, 'Pamyoh' surpassed 3 million viewers in just seven days and is currently a box office hit. The film blends the historical pain of the Japanese colonial period and issues of past settlement with folk beliefs and superstitions in an occult genre. In particular, the 'anti-Japanese' code is evaluated as a factor that attracted the interest of the younger generation.
Regarding this, Director Kim expressed displeasure, saying, "After the release of 'Geon-guk Jeonjaeng,' I monitored various influencers. A certain political group told people not to watch this film. Isn't it right to watch it first and then talk about it even if you don't like it? It felt like an order was issued. About ten YouTubers said the same thing simultaneously."
He continued, "Now, rather than films that exploit ethnic sentiments without grounds for anti-Japanese or anti-Japanese independence, please turn your eyes to truthful films about who saved the Republic of Korea. I'm not saying not to watch 'Pamyoh.' They don't watch our film either, so let's not do strange things like putting 13 million viewers on 'Seoul's Spring' for a film where evil spirits appear. That was the important reason," he said.
He added, "Do-ol Kim Yong-ok suggested 'exhuming' President Rhee Syngman's grave. That reminded me of that incident and made me uncomfortable. It's not about telling people what not to watch, but about saying 'we' shouldn't watch it."
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