KBS

Korean Variety Hour, produced by KBS in 1976, captures how Koreans of that era wished to present themselves to a foreign audience. Nearly 50 years later, KBS produced the documentary series Modern Korea, which, with the advantage of a half-century of hindsight, presents images of Korea's past without any additional commentary. By juxtaposing these two programs, the film invites viewers to reflect on how much, or how little, Koreans' perspectives and self-representation have changed over time.

This film creates a "video mixtape" by assembling fragments from over 50 films produced by the now-defunct Korean film company Nama-jinheung between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Through these carefully curated scenes, it captures the inner landscape of Koreans during the Cold War and the era of rapid economic growth, offering a unique reflection of a nation in transformation.

"Have the right number of children and raise them well." This slogan epitomized an era dominated by fears that rapid population growth would impede economic progress. In 1961, with the launch of the First Five-Year Economic Development Plan, Korea initiated its family planning program as a measure to curb the population explosion. Intertwined with various social ambitions and desires, this initiative was deemed "successful" in reshaping society. Today, as we live with the outcomes of this all-out effort for growth, this film revisits the process of "planning" families to reflect on South Korea's future.​

In 1983, thirty years after the cessation of the Korean War, the world remains in the grip of Cold War tensions. Over the divided Korean Peninsula, two unexpected arrivals suddenly appear in the skies: a North Korean defector and a civilian aircraft from a communist country. These unforeseen events, akin to alien landings on Earth, are broadcast live across the nation, captivating the imagination of a people caught in the crossfire of the Cold War. But what became of these individuals who abandoned their reality to venture into an unknown world? Did they indeed find their happily ever after?

A squad of soldiers fight in the Korean War's crucial Battle of Incheon.

Koreans have long sought their identity through food. Despite rapid economic growth and modernization, there has been a persistent yearning for what is considered truly "Korean." This film reflects on the desires and aspirations of the Korean people, as mirrored in their tastes, from the era of chronic post-war hunger to the global rise of K-food.

Aimless after failing in several public tenders, a young man ends up meeting the best chef in the region and falls in love with the world of cuisine that he shows him.

Ae-ran, a mother who is proud with her son hears a shocking news that her son, Dohoon, who left the military has developed schizophrenia. Afraid of losing her perfect daily life, Ae-ran decided to hide his son's illness. But her secret life that seemed to be smooth started to change when Kyeong-hwa, the only person who knows her secret appeared, gradually turning her anxiety into madness.

Bo Young moves into the mansion of the previously wealthy grandmother, Wang, as a caregiver with a dangerous intention. Mother Kim, the only blood relative of Wang who hired Bo Young, sets conditions such as 'Do not bring anyone, especially children,' and 'Do not go near the reservoir'. Ominous and bizarre signs continue in grandmother Wang's huge mansion located next to a reservoir called 'Gwimot', where people are dying, and Bo Young finds out that foreigners who have visited the place have suffered a mysterious death...

Jongbun is sick of poverty and she admires Young-ae, a smart and pretty friend. Taking place at the end of Japanese colonialism, a sad but beautiful story about two girls begins.

We covered the reclusive monk Beopjeong for three years, from our first meeting on April 30, 2001 until 2003! Monk Beopjeong of ‘no possessions’. KBS reporters met him, who had long avoided TV appearances and contact with the media. One day, about 6 months later, after lingering around the camera without even turning it on, the monk said his first words. ‘Let’s support the cows’. The meeting that took place after that and the monk's words were captured on screen. The clear and fragrant words of a monk heard among the bamboo forest along with the beautiful four seasons of Bulilam Hermitage! An anti-war message delivered by a monk at Ground Zero in the United States. 'Hate only blinds the eyes.' The footage of him accompanying Monk Beopjeong for three years will be revealed on a KBS Sunday special.

'Nirvana' is a special drama on Buddha's Birthday that aired on KBS 1TV on May 15, 1986. It is a drama that tells the story of a seeker's life of perseverance and the nobility of his spirit.

This film seeks to discover the essence of the spirit of seeking salvation through the story of the desperate and lonely pain of a monk wandering for enlightenment and fundamental human problems in his wandering life.

Joon Ho is a third year high school student who just finished taking his university exam. His main interest is to sleep with Seo Yeong, his girlfriend, but, so far, she has turned him down.

Karma refers to the retribution of suffering in the present due to evil deeds committed in the past. A child who grew up in Baraam, where there was a firearm called 'Jeomrye', had two or three affairs with Mr. Jang, a boatman from Gwiraecheon, at the time of the signing of the pre-war agreement at the end of the Korean War. , Unable to control his burning passion, he suddenly leaves for a foreign country, and as if he had done the double-take of selling his body to American soldiers, he gave the brown-haired mixed-race boy to Buddhist monk Baraam Beopdam and left, leaving behind a message that he would definitely come back to find him.

A story of love and friendship who want to express their sincerity against the taboos of the times. It features a gay storyline set in the Joseon Dynasty and explores the complexities of love, friendship, and social conventions. Yoon Ho, Jae Woon, and Seol were childhood friends who hung out together before their coming-of-age ceremony. However, their friendship intertwines through love, as one day, Yoon Ho realizes that his heart is pounding for someone, leading him to develop his first love that he can't tell anyone about. The youthful romance set in Joseon begins.

Song Jin-Woo (Kim Dae-Gun) has worked as a non-permanent contract employee for the past 4 years at Moojin Girls' High School. He is a good teacher and dreams of a school where no one is left out. New contract teacher, Yoo Sung-Pil (Moon Yoo-Kang), comes to Moojin Girls' High School. When Song Jin-Woo was a high school student, he was bullied by Yoo Sung-Pil and other students.

A crime thriller about a man who spent a night with a strange woman who doesn't even know his name before getting married.

“Master Wonhyo” is an 8-part special drama commemorating the 1986 Seoul Asian Games that aired on KBS 1TV from September 23 to October 3, 1986. This is a drama depicting Wonhyo, a monk from the Silla period, from the perspective of a monk, a scholar, and a thinker.

A story about a young man who doesn't believe in sincerity meets Don Quixote, the president of an underwear company, and his right-hand man, Sancho, and becomes sincere both in underwear and in life.