Fisherman's Fire (1939)
A rare surviving Korean drama from 1939, tracing one family's tragedy against a backdrop of debt, loss, and exploitation in colonial-era Korea.
Fisherman's Fire - Movie Information
- Original Title: 어화
- Release Year: 1939
- Directed by: Chul-yeong Ahn
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 52m
- Original Language: Korean
- Spoken Languages: Korean
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 1, 1939 (KP)
- Alternative Titles: Eohwa (KR)
- Production Companies: Keuk Kwang Film Co.
- Production Countries: South Korea, Japan
Fisherman's Fire - Plot
Fisherman Choon-sam (Yoon Buk-yang) is suffering financially because of a prolonged scarcity of fish. Pestered by miserly Mr. Jang to pay back his debt, Choon-sam goes out to sea in hopes of a catch but meets a watery end instead. As payment for the debt, Mr. Jang tries to take Choon-sam's daughter In-soon as his second wife. Meanwhile, In-soon (Park Noh-kyung) is mutually in love with Chun-suk (Park Hak), but torn about the suggestion of Ok-bun (Chun Hyo-bong), who lives in Seoul, to join her in the city. In order to get a job and pay back her father's debt, In-soon follows Mr. Jang's son Chul-soo to Seoul, not knowing that he harbors illicit intentions toward her.
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Fisherman's Fire - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Chul-yeong Ahn
Main Cast
- Bug-yang Yun
- Seong-ae Gye
- No-gyeong Park
- Ung Na
- Hak Pak
- Hyo-bong Jeon
- Wol-ho Jang
- No-mook Kim
- Bong-ig Kim
- Hyun Lee
Writers
- Byeong-ok Suh
Producers
- Chul-yeong Ahn
Fisherman's Fire - FAQs
What is Fisherman's Fire about?
Fisherman's Fire follows a poor fisherman whose death at sea leaves his daughter In-soon in a desperate situation. Pressured by a moneylender to settle her father's debt, she travels to Seoul, unaware that the man escorting her harbors dangerous intentions toward her.
Who directed Fisherman's Fire?
Fisherman's Fire was directed by Chul-yeong Ahn, who also served as the film's producer. The film was produced under Keuk Kwang Film Co. and stands as a rare surviving example of Korean cinema from the late colonial period.
When was Fisherman's Fire released?
Fisherman's Fire was released on January 1, 1939, in Korea (then under Japanese colonial rule). It is one of the very few Korean films from the 1930s that has survived to the present day, making it a historically significant work.
Who are the main actors in Fisherman's Fire?
The film stars Bug-yang Yun as the fisherman Kim Chun-sam, No-gyeong Park as his daughter In-sun, and Hak Pak as her love interest Choi Chun-suk. The cast also includes Seong-ae Gye, Ung Na, Hyo-bong Jeon, Wol-ho Jang, No-mook Kim, Bong-ig Kim, and Hyun Lee.
How long is Fisherman's Fire?
Fisherman's Fire has a runtime of 52 minutes. As a short-feature production from the late 1930s, its compact length was typical of Korean cinema of that era, when full-length features were less common in the domestic film industry.
Why is Fisherman's Fire historically significant?
Fisherman's Fire is one of the extremely rare surviving Korean films from the Japanese colonial period. Most Korean films made before 1945 were lost or destroyed, making this 1939 drama an invaluable artifact for scholars of early East Asian cinema and Korean cultural history.
What are similar movies to Fisherman's Fire?
Viewers interested in Fisherman's Fire may also enjoy The Last One of the Six (1941) and The Way to the Heart (2024), among other recommended titles. These films share thematic or stylistic connections with this early Korean drama.
What language is Fisherman's Fire in?
Fisherman's Fire is in Korean. It was produced during the Japanese colonial era, a period when Korean-language filmmaking faced increasing pressure from colonial authorities. The film's use of Korean makes it a culturally and linguistically significant document of its time.
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