'Mother and the Guest' (1961) by Shin Films. Choi Eun-hee (left) holds her in-film daughter, played by Jeon Young-sun, in her arms. (image: Korea Post)

The second series of Korean film stamps by Korea Post features a collection of films running from just after independence through to the 1960s: "Mother and the Guest," "The Seaside Village," "The Coachman" and "The Wedding Day."

'Mother and the Guest'

The movie "Mother and the Guest," made in 1961, was produced by Shin Sang-ok and based on a story from the original novel by Ju Yo-sup with the same title. Seen from the eyes of an innocent six-year-old girl, Ok-hee, she follows an exchange between her single mother and a house guest. Choi Eun-hee, Jeon Young-sun and Kim Jin-kyu all star in this movie.

Ok-hee is the bearer of letters between her mother and the guest. Her longing for a father leads her to say, "I wish the guest were my father." She even misleadingly boosts her mother's feelings by giving her flowers, saying they were from the guest. Unfortunately, her mother gives up on love due to the unacceptable social stigma of the time and the guest leaves for Seoul.

By Paik Hyun
Korea.net Staff Writer
cathy@korea.kr

2nd edition of the Korean Film Series (2008) by the Korea Post.

The full movie made available by the Korean Film Archive.