Japanese Colonial Era Movie Data Series
Joseon Films in Newspaper Articles in 1928
The 9th series of "A Series of Film Materials during Japanese Colonial Era: Korean Films Viewed by News Articles" that contains news articles and advertisements on films and entertainments in major daily newspapers in Korea during the Japanese colonial era in chronological order. All-inclusive related news articles in Dong-a Ilbo, Maeil Sinbo, Chosun Ilbo, and Jungeo Ilbo in 1928.
The Korean film industry, which had a remarkable achievement by producing 14 films in 1927, started to have self-reflection and argument on the entire Korean films after slowing down a bit in 1928. Starting with "The Present and the Future of Korean Films" by Shim Hoon on January 1, many criticizing articles about the existing Korean film industry by writers of KAPF (Korean Artists Proletariat Federation) camp were published from April, and refutation against them and their re-refutation made the hottest issue in the Korean film industry in 1928. In particular, Man Nyeonseol's "My Humble Personal Views on Film Art" published in 9 series and Yim Hwa's "Liquidation of Korean Film's Reactionary Petit Bourgeois" published in 8 series in Jungeo Ilbo show the writers' passion and concern about Korean society and films in those days. From heated discussions to the specialization and subdivision progress of film critic in many aspects beyond its usual introduction of film stories, news articles in 1928 will show many interesting stories.
While cineastes were arguing, film fever was spreading to the countryside and audiences. This also was attributed to the active foreign film distribution resulting in various films introduction from the United States as well as Europe including Russia since the foundation of Gisin Corp. in 1927. Theaters were newly established in the countryside including Gongnak-Gwan (Cheongjin), Wonsan-Gwan (Wonsan), Gwangnam-Gwan (Gwangju), Ganggyeong Theater (Ganggyeong), Mangyeong-Gwan (Daegu), Iri Theater (Iri), and Ae-Gwan (Incheon), and starring in the provinces such as Im Suho Motion Pictures Group were also noticeable. Furthermore, in 1928, a movie fan club was first established in Korea. In fact, instead of a voluntarily-organized society, it was a part of a project to improve audiences stably. However, about 300 members attended in the opening ceremony of "Joseon Theater Fan Club" on October 16, and almost over a thousand members including about a hundred people who joined on that day attended the foundation anniversary of "DanSung Film Club" on December 24, proving the passion of film-lovers back in the days.
Since the enforcement of Motion Pictures Censorship Rules in 1926, the Korean film industry had burdens of not only film censorship but also censorship charge. Therefore, the entire Korean cineastes centering filmmakers gathered together in a massive movement of reducing censorship charge three times, and as a result, on September 19 in 1928, the Japanese Government-General of Korea finally amended the Rules and lowered censorship charge. Film censorship charge was reduced from 5 Jeon (0.05 KRW) per 3 meters to 1 Jeon per 1 meter, a re-censorship charge was reduced from 2 Jeon per 3 meters to 0.5 Jeon per 1 meter by above 50% reduction. Newspapers in those days described the Korean entertainment world having a big smile after achieving the long-cherished wish.
The Korean film industry, which had a remarkable achievement by producing 14 films in 1927, started to have self-reflection and argument on the entire Korean films after slowing down a bit in 1928. Starting with "The Present and the Future of Korean Films" by Shim Hoon on January 1, many criticizing articles about the existing Korean film industry by writers of KAPF (Korean Artists Proletariat Federation) camp were published from April, and refutation against them and their re-refutation made the hottest issue in the Korean film industry in 1928. In particular, Man Nyeonseol's "My Humble Personal Views on Film Art" published in 9 series and Yim Hwa's "Liquidation of Korean Film's Reactionary Petit Bourgeois" published in 8 series in Jungeo Ilbo show the writers' passion and concern about Korean society and films in those days. From heated discussions to the specialization and subdivision progress of film critic in many aspects beyond its usual introduction of film stories, news articles in 1928 will show many interesting stories.
While cineastes were arguing, film fever was spreading to the countryside and audiences. This also was attributed to the active foreign film distribution resulting in various films introduction from the United States as well as Europe including Russia since the foundation of Gisin Corp. in 1927. Theaters were newly established in the countryside including Gongnak-Gwan (Cheongjin), Wonsan-Gwan (Wonsan), Gwangnam-Gwan (Gwangju), Ganggyeong Theater (Ganggyeong), Mangyeong-Gwan (Daegu), Iri Theater (Iri), and Ae-Gwan (Incheon), and starring in the provinces such as Im Suho Motion Pictures Group were also noticeable. Furthermore, in 1928, a movie fan club was first established in Korea. In fact, instead of a voluntarily-organized society, it was a part of a project to improve audiences stably. However, about 300 members attended in the opening ceremony of "Joseon Theater Fan Club" on October 16, and almost over a thousand members including about a hundred people who joined on that day attended the foundation anniversary of "DanSung Film Club" on December 24, proving the passion of film-lovers back in the days.
Since the enforcement of Motion Pictures Censorship Rules in 1926, the Korean film industry had burdens of not only film censorship but also censorship charge. Therefore, the entire Korean cineastes centering filmmakers gathered together in a massive movement of reducing censorship charge three times, and as a result, on September 19 in 1928, the Japanese Government-General of Korea finally amended the Rules and lowered censorship charge. Film censorship charge was reduced from 5 Jeon (0.05 KRW) per 3 meters to 1 Jeon per 1 meter, a re-censorship charge was reduced from 2 Jeon per 3 meters to 0.5 Jeon per 1 meter by above 50% reduction. Newspapers in those days described the Korean entertainment world having a big smile after achieving the long-cherished wish.
Planning and Research: Lee Yu-mi (Korean Film Archive)
Co-researchers: Choe Eun-sook, Jo Oesuk, Lee Gwanguk
Co-researchers: Choe Eun-sook, Jo Oesuk, Lee Gwanguk
Contents
Preface
Remarks
News article in 1928
List (articles, theaters, film studios, organizations, names of people)
Preface
Remarks
News article in 1928
List (articles, theaters, film studios, organizations, names of people)