A screening and news conference for the film "Birth" on Nov. 23 was held at the multiplex CGV Yongsan in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District. Shown are director Park Heung-sik (first from left), actor Yoon Shi-yoon (second from left) and other cast members posing for photos. (Lee Kyoung Mi)

By Lee Kyoung Mi
Video = Min Film's official YouTube channel

"Birth," a biopic on Korea's first Catholic priest St. Andrew Kim Taegon (1821-46), has been released.

The film on Nov. 23 was shown at a media screening hosted by the multiplex CGV Yongsan in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District, with director Park Heung-sik and cast members Yoon Shi-yoon, Lee Moon-sik and Lee Ho-won attending.

The movie depicts Kim's life from his battles with adversity and process of growth as Korea's first Catholic priest until his martyrdom. The film was made to commemorate the 200th anniversary of his birth and designation as a UNESCO World Monument last year.

Park said, "Through my research, I discovered that St. Andrew Kim Taegon wasn't someone for just Catholics to know but a historically significant person whom everyone should know," adding, "This is why I directed the film." 

"(The film's title) refers to the birth of the nation's first Catholic priest and the start of modernization of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910)."

A scene from the film "Birth" shows St. Andrew Kim Taegon attending Easter Mass upon his return to Joseon.

Not only about religion, the movie focuses on Kim learning about modern Western civilization such as foreign languages and measurement technology to modernize his country. Also shown are historical events such as the Gihae Persecution of 1839, in which three French Catholic priests and about 70 Korean Catholics were killed, and the two Opium Wars of 1839-42 and 1856-60.

Actor Yoon Shi-yoon, who plays Kim in the film, said, "The movie is about a passionate young man who wanted to explore and experience adventure in a new world," adding, "It was exhausting as I had many lines in foreign languages (Latin, French and Chinese) and had to go to many places in all four seasons, but I took on the challenge as a holy mission."

Actor Yoon Shi-yoon (second from left), who plays St. Andrew Kim Taegon in the biopic "Birth," and Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik (third from left) on Nov. 16 show the poster for the movie to Pope Francis at Vatican City. (Vatican City)

Earlier on Nov. 16, "Birth" was shown at a preview screening in Vatican City. The director, cast members Yoon Shi-yoon, Yoon Seong-ho and Lee Moon-sik discussed the movie with Pope Francis. 

The film's production company Min Film quoted the pope as saying, "How impressive for great Korean artists to make a film about the priest Kim Taegon," adding, "I consider it a blessing that all of you researched and studied the life of a beautiful Christian and human being while making the movie."

On the film's positive response in Vatican City, Yoon Shi-yoon said, "I felt that the Western world was waiting with high interest and anticipation over (a film on) Catholicism's rise in a small East Asian country and the miracles that ensued," adding, "This was all possible through trust gained from outstanding Korean movies and love for Korean culture." 

Born on Aug. 21, 1821, in Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do Province, St. Andrew Kim Taegon became the first Korean to be ordained a Catholic priest on Aug. 17, 1845. He dedicated his life to spreading Catholicism in Korea and was martyred at age 25. He was beatified in 1984 by Pope John Paul II during the latter's trip to Korea.

In November 2019, Kim was designated a UNESCO World Monument, with the organization saying his life and accomplishments fit its ideologies. A statue of him will be erected at the outer wall of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

"Birth" is slated for release in Korea on Nov. 30.