Archive digitizes 15 classic Korean movies

For its 40th anniversary, the Korea Film Archive has digitally restored 15 classic Korean films, which are currently free to view online.

A few noteworthy titles in the collection include Shin Sang-ok’s “Bound By Chastity Rule” (1962), “Prince Yeonsan” (1961) and Kim Ki-young’s masterpiece “The Housemaid,” (1960), which were screened at the Cannes International Film Festival and received a positive response from the global audience there.

The oldest existing Korean movie with sound, Yang Joo-nam’s “Sweet Dream” (1936), will also be available to digital viewers. The movie was ranked as a cultural asset when it was restored in 2006.

The restoration project began in 2006, starting with Shin Sang-ok’s “Bound By Chastity Rule” (1962). But until recently, the process was done in analogue, with the damaged film restored and transferred manually onto new film. So far, 125 of the movies have been recovered this way.

With the upgrade to digital restoration, however, more severely damaged movies or some that used special film are now available with clearer images and sound.

The movies are available at http://www.kmdb.or.kr/VOD/ for no charge through July 30.

By JIN EUN-SOO, CONTRIBUTING WRITER [janna924@joongang.co.kr]