Korean Film Series (1st) - October 26, 2007



Korea’s movie industry got its start in 1919 when movie scenes were inserted into the Kinodrama titled . So far, the Korean movies have succeeded by realizing a great deal of growth and development, influencing our lives in the form of art, culture and industry. Blockbuster movies with more than 10 million viewers are being released one after another, with Korean movies being selected as award-winning works at leading international film festivals. At this time when Korean people’s interest in Korean movies is at a peak, new stamps representing Korean movies will be introduced, over 5 different series.

Arirang
Expressing the pent-up rage and sorrows of the people who lost their fatherland, the landmark movie gave compelling inspiration to early Korean movies. It also served as a stepping stone to making Chunsa “Na Woon-Kyu” (1902-1937) into a star of that time. Called the pioneer of Korean movies, he carried out voracious activities in various areas as an actor, director, script writer and moviemaker. Having acted in his youth as a leader of the national independence movement against Japan, he worked tirelessly to lead the era of silent films ever since his entrance into the movie world until his death at the age of 36. was produced in 1926 by Chosun Kinema Production.

Looking for Love
Cited as one of the representative works of the era of silent films, portrayed the sorrow of the Korean people, who suffered greatly under Japanese colonial rule, leave their fatherland for Manchuria. This movie, for which Na Woon-Kyu was both the director and main actor, was filmed in Manchuria. Originally titled , this movie went through lots of anguish: after inspection by the Japanese governor-general of Korea, the movie was forced to modify its title to and once again to , with several of its original scenes cut out. was produced in 1928 by Na Woon-Kyu Production.

The Ownerless Ferryboat
Regarded as one of the representative realism films of Korea, together with Arirang, during the Japanese colonial rule of Korea, symbolically described the dismal reality of that time through the tragic incidents a boatman and his daughter came to experience. In this movie, Lee Kyu-Hwan was the director and Na Woon-Kyu was the main actor. The inspection by the Japanese governor-general of Korea led to several of its scenes being cut out. This movie is assessed as a film about Korean people’s resistance. was produced in 1932 by Yushin Kinema

Chunhyangjeon (The story of Chunhyang)
As Korea’s first film with sound, ended the era of silent films, taking Korea’s movies a step forward technologically. Planning for this movie was done by Lee Phil-Woo, Korea’s first film photographer, and Lee Myeong-Woo, his younger brother, who also directed it. The movie was an adaptation of the widely known classic story “Chunhyangjeon”. was produced in 1935 by Kyeongseong Movie Studio.

Protection of Wild Animals and Plants - March 21, 1998

Celebrated Mountains of Korea Series (4th)
- October 18, 2007



Featured in the fourth series of the “Celebrated Mountains of Korea” is Mt. Baekdusan (Mt. Paekdu), the mountain that symbolizes the heart and soul of the Korean people. This new stamp, a joint work by South and North Koreas, features the picturesque scenery of Mt. Baekdusan, shown in a photo taken by Lee Jeong-Soo and Kim Yong-Nam -- photographers from South and North Korea.

Covering the Hamgyeongnam-do Province and Hamgyeongbuk-do Province in North Korea, as well as the northeastern region of China, Mt. Baekdusan rises 2,750 meters above sea level making it the highest mountain on the Korean peninsula. As indicated by its name, the top of the Mt. Baekdusan is covered with snow almost throughout the year on white flat stones. The mountain serves as habitat to a wide variety of fauna and flora that vary by the climate which in turn vary significantly depending on the sea level. The mountain was designated in 1989 as a “biosphere reserve” by UNESCO.

Lake Samjiyeon (Lake Samji)
As indicated by its name, Lake Samjiyeon comprises three lakes which are often cited as the most superb view among those in Mt. Baekdusan. These three lakes, a byproduct of volcanic activity blocking the course of the river, are 4.5 km in circumference, with the largest lake being 1.8m deep on average. Well matched with the whinstones that are spread out nearby, the lakes present a truly grand spectacle.

Lake Chonji (Lake Chon)
A crater lake at the top of Mt. Baekdusan, Lake Chonji has a circumference of 14.4㎞, a total area of 9.16㎢, and an average depth of 213.3m, with the deepest point extending 384m deep. Surrounded by dozens of peaks that stretch like a wall, such as Janggunbong ?- the highest peak on Mt. Baekdusan -- Hyangdobong, Baekunbong, etc., Lake Chonji is a crater lake located at one of the highest locations in the world. As a habitat to rare alpine flora, the Lake is also very important in academic terms.

Hyeongje Falls (Hyongje Falls)
As indicated by its name, Hyeongje Falls are two waterfalls that come splash down side by side on a rock cliff. They are located about 1 km from Baekdu Waterfall. Falling perpendicularly over the rock cliff, the waterfalls create water fog, presenting a truly wondrous sight of nature. Around the falls live such alpine flora as a kind of rhododendron, blueberries, etc.

Rimyeongsu Falls (Rimyongsu Falls)
Unlike typical waterfalls that descend from the upper stream, Rimyeongsu Falls is very unique: from the breast of a cliff, underground water gushes out to descend in several streams. Comprised of underground water and with a height of 6 meters, the falls don’t freeze even in the midst of the coldest winter, presenting a mystical view, together with pure white frost all around.

The Year of People's Exchange between ROK and PRC
- November 20, 2002
The 10th anniversary of the Korea-Vietnam Diplomatic Relationship
- December 21, 2002
The 30th Anniversary of Korea-India Diplomatic Relations
- December 10, 2003

Train Series (3rd) - February 4, 2002
Train Series (4th) - February 4, 2003
Train Series (5th) - February 4, 2004