List of Korean films of 1919–1948


This is a chronological list of films produced in Korea while it was part of Japan as well as the united country of Korea before it officially became divided in September 1948. The first domestic Korean film was shown in 1919. The lists of Korean films are divided by period for political reasons. For later films of divided Korea see the List of South Korean films and List of North Korean films. For an A-Z list of Korean language films, see List of Korean language films.

1910s

All films are silent film.
English TitleKorean TitleDirectorCastGenreNotes
1919-----
A Detective's Great Pain형사의 고심Kim Do-sanAction
Great Scenic Spots of Mt. Geumgang금강산대활동Documentary
Fight for Justice의리적 구토Kim Do-sanAction
The Real Scenes of the National Funeral of Gojong고종인산실경Documentary
The Suburban Sceneries of Kyongsung경성교외전경Documentary
This Friendship시우정Kim Do-sanDocumentary

1920s

All films are silent film.
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English TitleKorean TitleDirectorCastGenreNotes
1920-----
A Truly Good Friend지기Lee Ki-seMelodrama
Eternal Love of Su-il and Sun-ae장한몽Lee Ki-seMelodrama
The Chivalrous Robber의적Kim Do-sanAction
The Cholera호열자Educational
The Fidelity to A Student's Principle학생절의Im Seong-guCrime
The State of Affairs in Joseon조선사정Propaganda
1923-----
Hongyeopmun홍엽문An Gwang-ik
The Border국경Kim Do-sanMelodrama
The Story of Chun-hyang춘향전Koshu Hayakawa Melodrama
The Vow Made below the Moon월하의 맹서Yun Baek-namDrama
1924-----
Janghwa Hongryeon jeon장화홍련전Kim Yeong-hwanDrama
The Sorrowful Song비련의 곡Koshu Hayakawa Melorama
The Sorrowful Song of the Sea해의 비곡Kanjo Takasa Melorama
1925-----
A Hero in a Small Village촌의 영웅Yun Baek-namDrama
Amgwang암광Kanjo Takasa Historical
Nolbu and Heungbu놀부흥부Kim Choon-gwangDrama
The Great Flood of Han River한강대홍수Lee Phil-wooDocumentary
The Pioneer개척자Lee Gyeong-sonEducational
The Story of Sim-cheong심청전Lee Gyeong-sonDrama
The Story of Woon-yeong운영전Yun Baek-namMelodrama
The Twin Jade Pavilion쌍옥루Lee Gu-yeongDrama
1926-----
Arirang아리랑Na Woon-gyuDrama
Eternal Love of Su-il and Sun-ae장한몽Lee Gyeong-sonMelodrama
Fool멍텅구리Lee Phil-wooComedy
Nongjungjo농중조Lee Gyu-seolMelodrama
Soldier of Fortune풍운아Na Woon-gyuMelodrama
The Captain of Bandits산채왕Lee Gyeong-sonMelodrama
The Royal Crown of a Phoenix봉황의 면류관Lee Gyeong-sonMelodrama
1927-----
Black and white흑과 백Kim Taek-yunMelodrama
Destiny운명Jeon Hae-unDrama
Deuljwi들쥐Na Woon-gyuMelodrama
Fallen Blossoms On A Stream낙화유수Lee Gu-yeongMelodrama
Farewell잘 있거라Na Woon-gyuDrama
Ppulppajin Hwangso뿔빠진 황소Namgung UnMelodrama
Road to the Twilight Light낙양의 길Cheon Han-suMelodrama
Seekers of Paradise낙원을 찾는 무리들Hwang UnDrama
The Golden Fish금붕어Na Woon-gyuDrama
The Natural Shape of a Mystery Man괴인의 정체Kim Su-roMystery
The Red Lotus Flower and Blighted Love홍련비련Lee Phil-wooDrama
The Unforgettable Song불망곡Lee Gyu-seolDrama
When the Sun Rises먼동이 틀 때Shim HoonMelodrama
1928-----
Chunhui춘희Lee Gyeong-sonMelodrama
Hyeolma혈마Hong Gae-myeongDrama
Looking for Love사랑을 찾아서Na Woon-gyuDrama
My Dear Friend나의 친구여Yu Jang-anDrama
Ok-nyeo옥녀Na Woon-gyuMelodrama
Pure Heart is the Same as God순정은 신과 같다Lee Gyu-seolMelodrama
Sanai사나이Hong Gae-myeongAction
The Secret of Jina Street지나가의 비밀, 일명 흑진주Yu Jang-anMelodrama
The Story of Lady Suk-yeong숙영낭자전Lee Gyeong-sonHistorical
Three Beggars삼걸인Kim Yeong-hwanHorror
Vagabond유랑Kim Yu-yeongDrama
1929-----
Deaf Sam-ryong벙어리 삼룡Na Woon-gyuDrama
A House혼가Kim Yu-yeongDrama
The Engagement약혼Kim Yeong-hwanDrama
The Dark Road암로Gang HoHistorical
The Ringing of A Bell종소리Kim Sang-jinMelodrama

1930s

Films between 1931 and October 1935 are silent film.
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English TitleKorean TitleDirectorCastGenreNotes
1930-----
A Florist꽃장사Ahn Jong-hwaDrama
A Story of the Day after Arirang아리랑 그후 이야기Lee Gu-yeongDrama
Be a winner, Sun-i지지마라 순이야Namgung UnDrama
Cheolindo철인도Na Woon-gyuDrama, Action
People Who Are Fighting against the Sea바다와 싸우는 사람들Yang CheolDrama
Season for Singing노래하는 시절Ahn Jong-hwaMelodrama
Sorrowful Song in the Buddhist Monastery승방비곡Lee Gu-yeongMelodrama
The Consolatory Song회심곡Wang Deok-seongMelodrama
The Justice Wins정의는 이긴다Yun Baek-nam
The Robber도적놈Yun Bong-chunDrama, Family
The Song of a Young Man젊은이의 노래Kim Yeong-hwanDrama, Family
The Story of the Royal Inspector, Park Mun-su어사 박문수전Lee Geum-ryongHistorical drama
Underground Village지하촌Gang HoDrama
1931-----
A Rhapsody of Love연애광상곡Kim Yeong-hwanBiographical drama
Folk Song of the Mill방아타령Kim Sang-jinDrama
Geumganghan금강한Na Woon-gyuDrama, Action
Guilty Woman죄지은 여자Lee Chang-chunDrama
Hwaryun화륜Kim Yu-yeongHistorical Drama
Husband Goes to the Border Garrison남편은 경비대로Do Jeon-jangDrama, Action
Mountain Monster산괴령Lee Chang-chunHorror
Reed Flower갈대꽃Lee Gu-yeong
Su-il and Sun-ae수일과 순애Lee Gu-yeongMelodrama
The Big Grave큰 무덤Yun Bong-chunDrama, Action
1932-----
A Ferry Boat that Has No Owner임자없는 나룻배Lee Gyu-hwanDrama
Gaehwadang imun개화당이문Na Woon-gyuHistorical
The Count of Monte Cristo암굴왕Na Woon-gyuScreen-and-Stage Play
The Pitiful People딱한 사람들Hwang UnDocumentary
1933-----
Beautiful Devotion아름다운 희생Kim Gwang-juDrama
Getting Better Life밝아가는 인생Lee Gyu-hwanEnlightenment
Jongno종로Yang CheolDrama
1934-----
Ex-Convict전과자Tokihiko Yamasaki Drama, Action
Lamentation탄식의 소조Kim Yeong-hwanDrama
Returning Spirit돌아오는 영혼Lee Chang-chunDrama
The Elegy of the City도회의 비가Lee Chang-chunDrama, Action
Turning Point of the Youngsters청춘의 십자로Ahn Jong-hwaDrama
1935-----
Arirang Pass아리랑고개Hong Gae-myeongMelodrama
Challenge대도전Tokihiko Yamasaki Historical, Action
Muhwagwa무화과Na Woon-gyuDrama
Passion in the Universe은하에 흐르는 정열Ahn Jong-hwaDrama
Sea, Talk to Me바다여 말하라Lee Gyu-hwanDrama
Shadow그림자Na Woon-gyuDrama
Spring Wind춘풍Park Gi-chaeMelodrama
The Sprinkler살수차Baek Un-haengDrama
The Story of Chun-hyang춘향전Lee Myeong-uMelodrama, Historical
The Story of Hong Gildong홍길동전Tokihiko Yamasaki Historical
The Town Across the River강건너 마을Na Woon-gyuDrama
1936-----
Arirang 3아리랑3Na Woon-gyuDrama
Counterattack역습Ahn Jong-hwaDrama
Epilogue of Lee Mong-ryong그 후의 이도령Lee Gyu-hwanHistorical
Incident of the 7th Bamboo Flute칠번통소사건Na Woon-gyuDrama, Action
Rainbow무지개Lee Gyu-hwanDrama
Songs of Joseon노래조선Kim Sang-jinMusic
Story of Jang-hwa and Hong-ryeon장화홍련전Hong Gae-myeongHistorical Drama
Sweet Dream 미몽 Yang Ju-namDrama
The Story of Hong Gildong홍길동전 후편Lee Myeong-uHistorical
1937-----
Oh Mong-nyeo오몽녀Na Woon-gyuDrama
Path of Life인생항로Ahn Jong-hwaDrama
Straits of Pure Heart순정해협Shin Kyeong-gyunDrama
The Story of Simcheong심청전An Seok-yeongHistorical Drama
Wanderer나그네Lee Gyu-hwanDrama
1938-----
Corps of Youth청춘부대Hong Gae-myeongDrama, Action
Dosaengrok도생록Yun Bong-chunDrama
Han River한강Baek Un-haengDrama
Military Train군용열차Seo Gwang-jeDrama, Enlightenment
1939-----
Alter for a Tutelary Deity성황당Baek Un-haengDrama
Fisherman's Fire어화An Cheol-yeongDrama
Fooled by Love, Hurt by Money사랑에 속고 돈에 울고Lee Myeong-uDrama
Frontier국경Choi In-kyuDrama
Heartlessness무정Park Gi-chaeDrama
Image of a Wife처의 모습Lee Chang-chunDrama
New Start새출발Lee Gyu-hwanDrama, Family
Return Spot귀착지Lee Yeong-choonDrama, Enlightenment
Song of Compassion애련송Kim Yu-yeongMelodrama
Virgin처녀도Shin Kyeong-gyunDrama, Family

1940s

English TitleKorean TitleDirectorCastGenreNotes
1940-----
Dawn of the Mountain Village산촌의 여명Yutaka Yamanaka Drama, Enlightenment
Garden of Victory승리의 뜰Baek Un-haengDrama, Enlightenment
Light of the Sea바다의 빛Yutaka Yamanaka Drama, Enlightenment
Narcissus수선화Kim Yu-yeongDrama
Pure Heart청명심Yutaka Yamanaka Drama, Enlightenment
Tuition수업료Choi In-kyuDrama, Enlightenment
1941-----
A Wife's Moral아내의 윤리Kim Yeong-hwaDrama, Family
Angeles on the Streets집없는 천사Choi In-kyuDrama, Enlightenment
Miles Away from Happiness복지만리Jeon Chang-keunDrama, Enlightenment
You and Me그대와 나Heo YeongDrama, Enlightenment
Volunteer그대와 나An Seok-yeongDrama, Enlightenment
Spring of Korean Peninsula반도의 봄Lee Byung-ilDrama
Blue Sky창공Lee Gyu-hwanDrama
1942-----
A Song of Year of Abundance풍년가Baek Un-haengDrama, Enlightenment
Frontier신개지Yun Bong-chunDrama
Historic Remains of Silla Dynasty신라의 고적Lee Chang-chunDocumentary
I Will Go나는 간다Park Gi-chaeDrama, Enlightenment
Rural Life흙에 산다An Seok-yeongDrama, Enlightenment
1943-----
Look Up at the Blue Sky우르러라 창공Kim Yeong-hwaDrama, Enlightenment
Portrait of Youth젊은 모습Toyota Shiro Drama, Enlightenment
Straits of Joseon조선해협Park Gi-chaeDrama, Enlightenment
Suicide Squad of the Watchtower망루의 결사대Tadashi Imai Drama, Action
1944-----
Children of the Sun태양의 아이들Choi In-kyuDrama, Enlightenment
Dear Soldier병정님Baek Un-haengDrama, Enlightenment
Story of Big Whales거경전Baek Un-haengDrama, Enlightenment
1945-----
Blood and Dirt혈과 한Shin Kyeong-gyunEnlightenment
Impressive Diary감격의 일기Shin Kyeong-gyunEnlightenment
Our War우리들의 전쟁Shin Kyeong-gyunDrama, Enlightenment
Sons of the Sky신풍의 아들들Choi In-kyuEnlightenment
Vow of Love사랑과 맹서Choi In-kyuDrama, Enlightenment
1946-----
Adventure of Ttolttori똘똘이의 모험Lee Gyu-hwanDrama, Children
The Chronicle of An Jung-Geun안중근 사기Lee Gu-yeongBiography
The Topography of Jeju island제주도 풍토기Lee Yong-minDocumentary
Viva Freedom!자유만세Choi In-kyuMelodrama, Action
1947-----
A New Oath새로운 맹서Shin Kyeong-gyunDrama, Enlightenment
Dawn of Nation민족의 새벽Lee Gyu-hwanDrama
Happiness삼일혁명기Lee Gyu-hwanMelodrama
Mok-Dan Ghost Story목단등기Kim So-dongHorror
My Liberated Country해방된 내고향Jeon Chang-keunEnlightenment
Passion of the Sea바다의 정열Seo Jeong-gyuAction
The Angel Heart천사의 마음Kim Jeong-hwanDrama, Enlightenment
The Capital of a Winner패자의 수도Yu Jang-sanDocumentary
The Immortal Secret Envoy불멸의 밀사Seo Jeong-gyuBiography
The Samil Revolution삼일혁명기Lee Gu-yeongHistorical Drama
The Wall of the Nation민족의 성벽Jeon Chang-keunDocumentary
The Way They Are Going그들이 가는 길Yim Woon-hakHistorical Drama
Yun Bong-Gil the Martyr윤봉길 의사Yun Bong-chunBiography
1948-----
A National Referendum국민투표Choi In-kyuEducational
A Public Prosecutor and A Teacher검사와 여선생Yun Dae-ryongDrama
An Innocent Criminal죄없는 죄인Choi In-kyuDrama
Jiseongtap지성탑Kim Jeong-hwanHistorical
Outcry of the Nation민족의 절규An Gyeong-hoDocumentary
The Face그 얼굴Jeon Chang-keunMelodrama
The Life of Hong Cha-Ki홍차기의 일생Yim Woon-hakHistorical
The Night before Independence Day독립전야Choi In-kyuCrime
The Sun of Night밤의 태양Park Gi-chaeAction
The Woman여인Jeon Chang-keunMelodrama
Yu Gwan-sun유관순Yun Bong-chunBiographical