Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Film on justice’s mentor gains attention post-impeachment
Kim Jang-ha, a civic activist and entrepreneur, appears in a scene from the documentary film "A Man Who Heals the City.” Courtesy of Cinema Dal
By Baek Byung-yeul
In the wake of the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, a 2023 documentary titled "A Man Who Heals the City" is set to return to screens this month. The film chronicles the philanthropic endeavors of entrepreneur Kim Jang-ha, including his influence on the Constitutional Court’s acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae, who delivered the decisive impeachment ruling.
The film's distributor Cinema Dal said Thursday that the documentary about Kim, who dedicated over 60 years to helping the less fortunate, will be screened in CGV movie theaters and independent cinemas nationwide this month.
While the specific release date is yet to be confirmed, the decision comes amid overwhelming public demand for the film to return to theaters. The surge in interest followed the Constitutional Court's unanimous ruling on April 4 to impeach Yoon, who abruptly declared martial law in December, plunging the nation into political turmoil.
Kim developed a bond with Moon when he was a struggling high school student from a poor farming family, and supported him with scholarships until he graduated from university. Kim's charity activities extend beyond Moon, helping over 1,000 students to complete their education.
The connection between the two first came to light during Moon's 2019 Constitutional Court justice confirmation hearing. Upon passing the bar exam, the justice visited Kim to express his gratitude. Kim told him, "I gave you what I received from society, so repay it to society."
The justice expressed his deep respect for Kim, saying, "Kim Jang-ha personally showed me that Korea is a place where one can build wealth based on freedom, pursue equality to eliminate unreasonable discrimination and strengthen the community through philanthropy."
Following the impeachment ruling last week, video clips featuring Moon's remarks quickly spread across social media and the public took great interest in Kim, the man who helped shape the justice, renewing interest in the documentary.
The documentary, which drew 31,065 viewers in 2023, is an adaptation of a two-part TV documentary produced by MBC Gyeongnam in 2022.
Its promotional tagline, "Meeting you made me want to become a better person," became a symbolic phrase associated with the film.
"It is highly unusual for a Korean independent film to return to theaters for a rerelease just a year and a half after its initial release," the distributor said. "This is a result of the enthusiastic public response, driven by a desire for a wave of change."