Park Jin-hai primarily focuses on K-dramas, entertainment shows and actor interviews. Beyond that, she also pens articles covering the broader arts scene, with a particular emphasis on classical music, dance and various aspects of lifestyle. Since joining The Korea Times in 2013, she has made significant contributions in the realms of hallyu (Korean wave), industry news and international affairs.
Shin Seong-il retrospective: forever young
By Park Jin-hai
The last actor Shin Seong-il / Yonhap
By Park Jin-hai
The late actor Shin Seong-il is an integral part of Korean cinema history.
Recalling Shin, director Park Chan-wook said, “Without understanding Shin, people cannot talk about the history of Korean cinema or modern Korean culture.”
The Korea Film Archive is holding a retrospective for the great actor, titled “The Legend of Korean Cinema, Shin Seong-il,” which started last Thursday and will continue through June 30, to shine a light on his life. Shin died of lung cancer in November last year. He was 81.
Since his debut in 1960 with “Romance Papa,” directed by prominent director Shin Sang-ok, he instantly emerged as the icon of young people in the 1960s.
Throughout his life, he starred in 514 films.
Although his roles changed from the young rebellious adult of the 1960s to a helpless middle-aged man in the 1970s and an aging man afterwards, for many movie fans Shin is remembered as a “young icon.”
The exhibition focuses on his “new generation image” and why he became the icon of youth.
Shin and actress Um Aeng-ran later became an established cinematic couple ― they appeared in 27 films in 1946 alone, and co-starred in 58 films in total. They married in 1964 and their marriage attracted national attention.
The exhibition will show Shin's movie posters, stills, clips and belongings.
It has replicated Doo-soo's room which appeared in the duo's 1964 film “Barefooted Youth,” which catapulted Shin to superstar status. Shin played the role of a gangster Doo-soo, who falls in love with a diplomat's daughter played by actress Um. When their romance meets opposition from her mother, they commit suicide together. The film kicked off the boom of “youth films.”
Shin's white leather jacket and jeans and Um's coat that they wore in the film are on display.
“What a husband he was,” Um said, recalling her husband during a recent press event.
“It seems like quite a long time has passed since my husband's death. Every evening when I look at the sunset, I feel like crying… thinking about what he would be doing now (in heaven) and I would too follow him soon. I swallow my tears,” the 83-year-old said.
She also recalled the moment she fell in love with Shin at first sight.
While she was shooting a war movie, she was hurt after being hit with shrapnel from an explosion. The actor stopped the shooting and carried her on his back to hospital. After she received treatment, she found Shin too had been hurt.
“Without knowing of his own injuries, he took care of me. I fell in love with his dependable and manly side.”
She said Shin's best film was “Barefooted Youth.”
“Then although actors enjoyed great popularity, their social status was regarded as ttanttara (a derogatory term referring to people involved in low culture). I hope many students studying film and art will come visit this exhibition,” she said.