[Interview] "'First Lady' Kookhim Protest Causes National Assembly Preview Cancellation... Will Share Untold Stories"

Interview with Kim Huntae, CEO of Production Company Oneul Pictures
Documentary Film Highlighting Allegations Against Kim Geonhee
Possibility of Expansion to Chae Haebyeong Incident and Myeong Taegyun Gate

On the 12th, the day the movie "First Lady," which features First Lady Kim Keon-hee, was released, the CGV in Wangsimni, Seoul, ahead of the second impeachment vote of President Yoon Suk-yeol. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

“'First Lady' is a film that raises suspicions surrounding Kim Geon-hee and Yoon Seok-yeol, and this is the version submitted for review in April 2024. There are stories that could not be included in the refined film based on materials held by Pastor Choi Jae-young. Since then, many events have occurred. If the impeachment motion is passed, I want to include the process after the declaration of martial law through an extended version.”

Kim Hoon-tae, CEO of One Pictures, which produced the documentary film 'First Lady' accusing Mrs. Kim Geon-hee, said this in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the afternoon of the 13th. Kim stated that if the film succeeds, an extended version including suspicions surrounding the death of a Marine soldier and the so-called Myeongtaegyun Gate, investigated by reporter Lee Myung-soo of Seoul Voice, will be released.

Box Office Momentum Amid Impeachment Turmoil... Consecutive Sold-Out Theaters in Seoul

According to the Korea Film Council’s integrated ticketing system, 'First Lady' (directed by Aemong) was screened 74 times on 54 screens nationwide on its opening day, the 12th, attracting 4,822 viewers. Including preview screenings, the cumulative audience reached 7,048. By region, the number of screens was 10 in Seoul, 10 in Gyeonggi Province, 5 in Chungcheongnam-do, 5 in Daegu, 5 in Incheon, 2 in Gwangju, 2 in Jeju Island, and 2 in Jeollabuk-do. Among these, CGV Sinchon Artreon (132 seats) and Wangsimni branch (238 seats) in Seoul were sold out. The number of theaters is expected to expand to around 100 next week.

'First Lady' is a documentary about Mrs. Kim, produced by Seoul Voice and One Pictures. The production company explained that the film deals with stories about Mrs. Kim Geon-hee, including Dior bag bribery, the Yangpyeong Expressway route change, and allegations of civilian interference in state affairs.

The film has drawn attention as it coincides with the impeachment turmoil following the aftermath of the December 3 emergency martial law incident. Kim said, “We produced it over two years starting in 2022. I got to know reporter Lee through Bong Ji-wook (Newstapa), and there was no one who could make this film without him.” He added, “We conducted crowdfunding at the end of September, set the release date for the end of October, and prepared for the November preview screening, but the situation turned out like this.”

Unreleased footage of "First Lady" revealed through "Maebul Show." Provided by Seoul's Voice and Oneul Pictures.

The main content of the film is a recorded conversation between reporter Lee and candidate Yoon’s wife, Kim Geon-hee, lasting seven hours during the presidential election. The footage, which had been kept for several years, was released as a documentary. It includes various interviews about Kim Geon-hee’s forged academic background and career, plagiarism of papers, allegations of stock manipulation of Deutsch Motors, and connections with shamans including Cheongong.

Kim mentioned broadcaster Kim Eo-jun (head of News Factory), who appeared as a witness at the National Assembly audit on the 13th and claimed, “Kim Geon-hee believed, and still believes, that she would become a ‘unification president’ through constitutional amendment after martial law.” He said, “The film also shows a scene where Mrs. Kim says ‘I will make unification happen’ during a meeting at Acrovista. This aligns with the shaman Cheongong’s statement that ‘unification will happen in the second half of 2025.’”

Recording of Mrs. Kim’s Aunt and Maternal Aunt Released on the Day of 'Emergency Martial Law'

On the morning of the 3rd, the day after the first preview screening of 'First Lady' on the 2nd, searches were conducted at the Seoul Voice office, reporter Lee’s residence, and Pastor Choi Jae-young’s home. Kim said, “We were planning to release the recordings of Mrs. Kim’s aunt and maternal aunt on the night of the 3rd. They contained a lot of information. But coincidentally, martial law was declared.” He added, “Although martial law had probably been prepared for a long time, they must have hurried due to fear and caution about Seoul Voice’s tracking activities.”

When asked about the situation immediately after the martial law declaration, Kim said, “I came home after the preview screening, and martial law was declared. It was absurd and hard to believe. I was stunned until I saw the proclamation and it hit me. I wondered if I should pack because of media restrictions and political content, but no matter how much I thought about it, it didn’t make sense, so I ran to the National Assembly.”

He continued, “At the time of martial law, reporter Lee and Pastor Choi were undergoing mobile phone forensic work at the police agency. When Lee heard martial law was declared, he entrusted his phone to a lawyer and instinctively ran to the National Assembly. He filmed the situation while pulling out martial law troops at the main gate. If martial law had not been lifted, Lee and Pastor Choi would have been immediately detained.”

A scene from 'First Lady.' Provided by Seoul Voice and One Pictures

'First Lady' Reporter Lee Myung-su. Provided by Voice of Seoul and One Pictures

National Assembly Preview Screening Denied 3 Days Before: 'Suppression of Freedom of Expression'

The planned preview screening at the National Assembly before the release was canceled. Kim Jun-hyuk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, claimed, “The People Power Party strongly opposed the screening during the venue review process, so it was denied.” Kim said, “We had reserved and prepared for the preview screening a month ago, but three days before the event, the National Assembly Secretariat notified us of the denial. It is said that the People Power Party made many complaints. It was difficult to inform about 4,000 crowdfunding applicants and prepare again.” He added, “Is it acceptable to suppress freedom of expression in the National Assembly? I want to hold the National Assembly preview screening again.”

Finally, Kim asked, “I hope many rational thinkers, including young people in their 20s and 30s and the moderate middle class, watch 'First Lady' and judge the meaning of the film.”