Yu Hyun-mok facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yu Hyun-mok
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| 유현목 | |
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| Born | July 2, 1925 Sariwon, Hwanghae, Japanese Korea
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| Died | June 28, 2009 (aged 83) |
| Occupation | Director |
| Years active | 1948–2007 |
| Awards | _ribbon.PNG){kind=small} Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit (2009) |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Yu Hyeon-mok |
| McCune–Reischauer | Yu Hyŏnmok |
Yu Hyun-mok (born July 2, 1925 – died June 28, 2009) was a famous South Korean film director. He was born in Sariwon, a city in what is now North Korea. Yu Hyun-mok started making movies in 1956 with his film Gyocharo, which means Crossroads.
His 1961 film, Obaltan (also known as The Aimless Bullet), is considered one of the best Korean films ever made. Many film critics have voted it the top Korean movie of all time. When Obaltan was shown at the San Francisco International Film Festival in 1963, a magazine called Variety praised it as a "remarkable film." They also noted Yu's "brilliantly detailed camera" work and the movie's deep understanding of its characters.
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What Was Yu Hyun-mok's Film Style?
Yu Hyun-mok loved to use films to explore important social and political topics. He was very dedicated to the deeper, intellectual side of filmmaking. This sometimes made things difficult for him. Movie producers often wanted films that would just make money at the box office. Also, the military government in Korea during the 1960s and 1970s sometimes disagreed with the ideas in his films.
Film experts have said that Yu's directing style was similar to "Italian Neorealism." This was a film movement that focused on showing real life, often with ordinary people and everyday problems. However, his films also had "modernist" or "expressionistic" qualities. This means he sometimes used unique camera angles or lighting to show strong feelings or ideas.
Beyond Directing: Teaching and Animation
Besides directing many movies, Yu Hyun-mok also taught film to students. He helped many young filmmakers learn their craft. He also made a big impact on Korean animation. In 1976, he produced the animated film Robot Taekwon V, which was directed by Kim Cheong-gi. This movie became a very popular cartoon for kids in Korea.
In 1999, a special event was held at the 4th Pusan International Film Festival. This event looked back at all the amazing films Yu Hyun-mok had made throughout his career.
Yu Hyun-mok passed away on June 28, 2009, after having a stroke.
Yu Hyun-mok's Films
Here is a list of some of the films Yu Hyun-mok directed:
| Title | Original Title | Transliteration | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Crossroad | 교차로 | Gyocharo | 1956 |
| The Lost Youth | 잃어버린 청춘 | Irobeorin Cheongchun | 1957 |
| The Life Seized | 인생차압 | Insaeng Chaab | 1958 |
| Forever With You | 그대와 영원히 | Geudae-wa Yeongwon-hi | 1958 |
| Beautiful Woman | 아름다운 여인 | Areumda-un Yeo-in | 1959 |
| Even the Clouds Are Drifting | 구름은 흘러가도 | Gureum-un Heulleogado | 1959 |
| The Aimless Bullet | 오발탄 | Obaltan | 1961 |
| To Give Freely | 아낌 없이 주련다 | Akkim Eobsi Juryeonda | 1962 |
| Great hero, Yi Sun-Sin | 성웅 이순신 | Seong-ung Yi Sun-sin | 1962 |
| Daughters of Pharmacist Kim | 김약국집 딸들 | Kim Yakkuk Jip Ttaldeul | 1963 |
| The Blue Dream shall Shine | 푸른 꿈은 빛나리 | Pureun Ggum-eun Bitnari | 1963 |
| Extra Human Being | 잉여인간 | Ingyeo Ingan | 1964 |
| Wife's Confession | 아내는 고백한다 | Anae-neun Gobaekhanda | 1964 |
| Sleep Under The Blue Star | 푸른 별아래 잠들게 하라 | Pureun Byeolarae Jamdeul-ge Hara | 1965 |
| An Empty Dream | 춘몽 | Chunmong | 1965 |
| Martyr | 순교자 | Sungyoja | 1965 |
| Secret Marriage Operation | 특급 결혼작전 | Teukgeup Gyeolhon Jakjeon | 1966 |
| Sun will rise again | 태양은 다시 뜬다 | Taeyang-eun Dasi Ddeunda | 1966 |
| Guests Who Arrived on the Last Train | 막차로 온 손님들 | Makcharo On Son-nim-deul | 1967 |
| Three Henpeck Generations | 공처가 삼대 | Gongcheoga Samdae | 1967 |
| Han | 한 | Han | 1967 |
| Arirang | 아리랑 | Arirang | 1968 |
| Han 2 | 한 2 | Han | 1968 |
| Descendants of Cain | 카인의 후예 | Kain-ui Huye | 1968 |
| I'll Give You Everything | 몽땅 드릴까요 | Mongddang Deuril Kkayo | 1968 |
| Yeo | 여 | A Woman | 1968 |
| Nightmare | 악몽 | Akmong | 1968 |
| School Excursion | 수학여행 | Suhak Yeohaeng | 1969 |
| I Would Like to Become a Human | 나도 인간이 되련다 | Nado Ingan-i Doe-Ryeonda | 1969 |
| Two husbands | 두여보 | Du Yeobo | 1970 |
| Bun-Rye's Story | 분례기 | Bunlyegi | 1971 |
| Flame | 불꽃 | Bulkkot | 1975 |
| The Gate | 문 | Mun | 1977 |
| Once upon a time, Hweo-oi Hweo-i | 옛날 옛적에 훠어이 훠이 | Yetnal Yetjeok-e, Hweo-oi Hweo-i | 1978 |
| Rainy Days | 장마 | Jangma | 1979 |
| A Song Everyone Wants to Sing Together | 다함께 부르고 싶은 노래 | Dahamggye Bureugo Sipeun Norae | 1979 |
| Son of Man | 사람의 아들 | Saram-ui Adul | 1980 |
| Ruinded Reeds | 상한 갈대 | Sanghan Galdae | 1984 |
| Mommy, Star, and Sea Anemone | 말미잘 | Malmijal | 1995 |
Awards and Recognition
Yu Hyun-mok received many important awards for his work in film:
- Blue Dragon Film Awards
- Best Picture and Best Director for Descendant of Cain (1968)
- Grand Bell Awards (one of Korea's most important film awards)
- Best Director for To Give Freely (1962)
- Best Director for Martyr (1965)
- Best Director for Bun-Rye's Story (1971)
- Best Picture for Flame (1975)
- Honorary Director Award (1995)
- Korean Film Critics Awards
- Best Director for Son of Man (1980)
- Order of Cultural Merit, from the Korean government (1988)
- Pusan International Film Festival
- Award for Artistic Contribution (2003)
