Bible Sellers: Korea, Late 19th Century
Korea | Film 90min, TV 45min x2 | 4K | Color+B&W
Logline
Bible translator 'H' discovers the story of the Korean-language Bible, translated and sold by merchants from Uiju 140 years ago, and sets out to trace its history.
Synopsis
H, who is translating the Bible in Nepal, falls into a deep slump. By chance, however, H begins tracing the footsteps of the merchants from Uiju, Korea, who translated and sold the Korean Bible 140 years ago. Along the way, H realizes that the Korean Bible played a significant role in the development of Korea's writing system and in reducing illiteracy. H discovers that the Bible translations into German and English had a similar impact on the development of their own languages and literacy. Renewed with a strong sense of purpose, H sets out for Nepal again.
Director's Statement
By tracing the story of the merchants from Uiju, Korea, who translated and distributed the Bible 140 years ago, the film explores how Bible translation and distribution helped spread literacy and reduce illiteracy.
Director JUNG Jinmi
Director Jung Jin-mi produced and worked as a producer on the feature films The Traveler from the North and A Boy's Sister, as well as the documentaries A Stranger in Koriyama, Song of Korean Factory Girls, and Ikaino. She made her feature documentary directorial debut with The Kinomoto Incident and also directed the short films It's Fine and Soje.
Producer JUN Mijin
Producer JEON Mijin worked as a producer and assistant director on the documentaries Underground Bunker and The Kinomoto Incident, among others.