The movie ‘Namtaeryeong’ successfully wrapped up its press and distribution premiere and press conference, shedding light on the meaning of solidarity and records. [Director: Kim Hyun-ji, Production: MBC Gyeongnam, Distribution: Cinema Dal]
Opening on May 20, the digital archive movie ‘Namtaeryeong’ captures the process of a new solidarity created by “Twitterians” moving between the actual sites and X (formerly Twitter). The premiere and press conference took place on May 14 at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall.
Director Kim Hyun-ji, former Secretary General of the National Peasants Federation Kwon Hyuk-joo, Ham Seo-jin (Aru), and Yong-ju attended the event to share various stories about the film.
During the press conference, Director Kim Hyun-ji discussed her creative direction following her previous work, ‘Adult Kim Jang-ha’. She explained, “When I released ‘Adult Kim Jang-ha’, I was often asked how such a work was possible in a regional area. I said then that new stories are always on the periphery, and this project started from that same awareness.”
Regarding her experience working with regional broadcaster MBC Gyeongnam, she shared, “I believed ‘Namtaeryeong’ was also a story of the region. I felt heavy-hearted hearing that the Dong-gun of the Jeon Bong-jun struggle group started in Jinju but could not enter further at Namtaeryeong, the entrance to Seoul.” She added, “I began to focus on the question: ‘Can farmers not go to Seoul?'”
Former Secretary General Kwon Hyuk-joo, who appears in the film, highlighted the meaning of the change left by Namtaeryeong. He stated, “Farmers brought their tractors because they had stories they desperately wanted to tell, but society did not easily listen to their voices.”
He continued, “Through the two days and one night at Namtaeryeong, farmers went beyond simply asking for their stories to be heard and began listening to the stories of other generations and others. The younger generation also learned about agricultural issues, such as the Grain Management Act, on-site and experienced the sense of solidarity while singing together.”
Ham Seo-jin (Aru), who shared the situation on X at the time, explained why they appeared in the film. “Since I live alone, I posted tweets because I felt I should let people around me know where I was,” they said. “The director suggested including those records in the movie, which is how I ended up appearing.”
They added, “Although time has passed since Namtaeryeong, I continue to meet familiar faces at other sites. I hope more people will join us in the future.”
Yong-ju, who gained attention for the phrase “I see, I’ll keep that in mind,” said, “I hope Namtaeryeong remains a continuing process rather than a completed destination.” They added, “I hope this feeling becomes a default setting for society. I plan to recommend the movie to more people and try to reveal more of myself.”
Director Kim Hyun-ji emphasized that she does not want the work to be preserved like a myth. She stated, “Rather than ‘Namtaeryeong’ being consumed only as a beautiful and completed story, I hope it becomes an attitude that is continuously repeated in reality.”
She added, “Change doesn’t happen overnight, but the new generation is clearly demanding that change. I hope that Namtaeryeong-style conversations continue throughout society.”
Meanwhile, ‘Namtaeryeong’ is already garnering interest from critics and audiences and will meet viewers in theaters nationwide on May 20.
