50 Years of the Korean Film Archive 1974~1990
Cradle of Korean Cinema: Birth of the Korean Film Archive
Korean Film Archive
Cho Jun-hyoung (Senior Researcher, Research & Curation Team, Korean Film Archive)
Article of Dong-a Ilbo: Proposal for Establishing a Film Library (1960)Korean Film Archive
Passion for archiving: The need for film preservation
Korean Film Archive (KOFA) collects and preserves Korean films. Talks for a film library began in the late 1950s to promote international exchange and preserve film history. Established in 1974, KOFA worked to protect Korea's film heritage despite early challenges.
Initial Naeja-dong Office of KOFA (1976)Korean Film Archive
The birth of the Korean Film Archive
KOFA was founded on January 18, 1974. Amid North-South rivalry, it quickly joined the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF) after North Korea. It began as an affiliate of the Korean Motion Picture Promotion Corporation (KMPPC), located in Naeja-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.
Namsan-dong Office of KOFA (1990)Korean Film Archive
The Namsan-dong era: 1976-1990
In December 1976, the KMPPC moved to Namsan-dong, starting the Namsan-dong era for KOFA. It stayed there until 1990, then moved to the Seoul Arts Center. During this time, KOFA set up a basic preservation facility and began extensive film collection activities.
Wooden Film Storage Room (1979)Korean Film Archive
Establishing the foundation for preservation facilities
With the move to new premises in 1976 and FIAF observer membership, KOFA expanded its facilities. On February 28, 1979, two film storage rooms were opened, covering 159m2 and holding about 2,000 films. Though limited, these provided a basic foundation for film preservation.
KOFA Expansion News in KMPPC's magazine, Film (1979)Korean Film Archive
An article from the March/April 1979 issue of the monthly magazine Film about the wooden storage room, completed in 1979. It provides a brief history and significance of KOFA and an overview of the installation.
FIAF Executive Committee On-Site Inspection (1984)Korean Film Archive
Membership for the International Federation of Film Archives
KOFA sought FIAF membership to collect Korean films and organize screenings, partly driven by competition with North Korea. It became an observer in 1976. In 1984, during the process of becoming a full member, the FIAF Executive Committee conducted an on-site visit.
41st FIAF New York Congress Logo (1985)Korean Film Archive
Full FIAF membership
KOFA's full FIAF membership was approved in 1985 at the 41st NY Congress, 10 years after becoming an observer in 1976.
KOFA FIAF Full Member Announcement in KMPPC's magazine, Film (1985)Korean Film Archive
The delay was due to its lack of independence from KMPPC in organization, personnel, and budget. Independence efforts in the 1980s led to full membership.
35mm Release Print of Seashore VillageKorean Film Archive
Gathering films
KOFA began collecting films from Korean studios in the mid-1970s. Starting with The Seashore Village (Kim Soo-yong, 1965), films were acquired through donations, consignments, and purchases from about 20 film studios at the time.
Collection and Inspection Report of Korean Films in Japan Collection and Inspection Report of Korean Films in Japan (1989)Korean Film Archive
Achievements in overseas film search
KOFA's search for Korean films overseas began in the mid-1980s, focusing on Japanese studios and archives. The first success came in the late 1980s, acquiring four films from major Japanese studios, including Gyeongseong (1940) and Suicide Squad of the Watchtower (1934).
Gyeongseong (1940)Korean Film Archive
KOFA acquired Shimizu Hiroshi's Gyeongseong, a City Symphony genre film sponsored by the Government-General of Joseon's Railway Bureau, in 1986 from Shochiku Film, Japan. This is believed to be the first film KOFA acquired from overseas.
Pamphlet of 'Photo Exhibition for the 20th Anniversary of the Daejong Film Awards' (1982)Korean Film Archive
Starting to utilize collected materials
The growing collection of films and non-films led to KOFA's first public event: a photo exhibition for the 20th anniversary of the Daejong Film Awards, held in 1982 at KMPPC.
1988 Seoul Olympics Commemorative Korean Film Photo Exhibition (1988)Korean Film Archive
Showcasing Korean films at the Seoul olympics
In 1988, the Seoul Olympics, a global sports festival that promoted Korea, was held. Various events were also held to promote Korean culture and art in time for the Olympics.
Pamphlet of 'Korean Film Photo Exhibition' for the 1988 Cultural Arts Festival Pamphlet of 'Korean Film Photo Exhibition' for the 1988 Cultural Arts Festival (1988)Korean Film Archive
To showcase Korean cinema during the Seoul Olympic Cultural Arts Festival, KOFA held the Photo Exhibition of Korean Cinema from the Japanese colonial era to 1988 at the Chungmuro Station on the Seoul Subway, demonstrating its efforts to promote Korean film heritage.
Organized and produced by Korean Film Archive
Curated by Cho Jun-hyoung (Senior Researcher, Research & Curation Team, Korean Film Archive)
Production arranged by Lee Ji-youn, Song Eun-ji
Translated by Double D
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