Dae-jin Kim
An unsung gem of South Korean cinema, Dae-jin Kim was born in 1925 in Pyongyang, which is now part of North Korea. He was most active as a director during the 1960s to the 1980s, carving a niche for himself in the genres of drama and action, with his most notable works being 'The Barefooted Young' and 'Marine Battleground'. Though he never clinched an award at any major international film festivals, his contributions to the Korean film industry were recognized domestically, with several of his films winning awards for their thought-provoking narratives and evocative performances. Dae-jin Kim was a passionate storyteller who, despite the tumultuous political climate of his time, persevered in his craft and left an indelible mark on Korea's cinematic landscape.