Korean film via stamps -- 'The Coachman'

The second sheet of Korean film stamps issued by Korea Post in 2008 contains four representative films from after liberation, from 1945 through to the 1960s. This single sheet of stamps includes "Mother and the Guest" (1961), "The Seaside Village" (1965), "The Coachman" (1961) and "The Wedding Day" (1961). Continuing with this series of articles, please find below an introduction to the movie, "The Coachman".

The Coachman (1961), Director Kang Dae-jin, Produced by Hwa Seong Films Co., Ltd. (image courtesy of the Korea Post)

The Coachman (1961), Director Kang Dae-jin

"The Coachman" tells the story of a thriving family living in Seoul during the devastation of the Korean War (1950-1953). Each family member reflects the joys and struggles of the people during those times.

The protagonist, Chunsam, makes a living to support his two sons and two daughters, and he is dependent on a single horse to pull his cargo. As the main breadwinner of the family, he tries hard to keep the family going, but misfortune finds its way too often.

The eldest son, Sueop, repeatedly fails the bar exam. The married deaf mute daughter, Oknyeo, suffers from domestic violence. The younger son, Changsu, is involved in numerous fights, and the immature youngest daughter, Okhee, daydreams of marrying a rich prince charming on the way to becoming part of higher society.

The fate of this household is at jeopardy when Chunsam is injured by his employers' car. As the owner attempts to sell off the foundation of the family's economic wellbeing -- the horse -- the eldest son puts himself forth, saying that he'll pull the animal. Suwondaek, a neighbor of the family who has deep affection for the widower Chunsam, buys the horse back, allowing hope to linger on. Finally, Sueop ends the losing streak, passes the bar exam and acknowledges Suwondaek as the maternal figure of the family. The marriage of Chunsam and Suwondaek closes the movie with a happy ending.

Kim Seung-ho's acting as the paternal coachman shines throughout the movie, and the movie won the Silver Bear Extraordinary Jury prize at the 11th Berlin International Film Festival. Directed by Kang Dae-jin, it starsKim Seung-ho, Shin Young-gyun and Hwang Jeong-soon, among others.

In 2008, Korea Post came out with its second series of Korean film stamps. It features 'Mother and the Guest', 'The Seaside Village', 'The Coachman' and 'The Wedding Day'. (image courtesy of the Korea Post)

For a video introduction to the Korean film stamp series, please clickhere.

To watch "The Coachman", please visit theYouTube channel of the Korean Film Archive.

By Paik Hyun

Korea.net Staff Writer
cathy@korea.kr