The Korean Film Archive runs a YouTube channel devoted to classic Korean movies.(www.youtube.com/@KoreanFilm)

The YouTube channel “Korean Classic Film” offers cinephiles and casual viewers the chance to explore the rich history of Korean cinema. Operated by the Korean Film Archive’s Korean Classic Film Theater, it was launched in 2012 with Kim Soo-yong’s film “Bloodline” (1963). Since then, the channel has showcased some 200 classic films that are largely unavailable on most streaming platforms. This initiative preserves Korea’s cinematic heritage while catering to a growing international audience of K-culture fans.

With the rise of K-culture has come increased interest in Korean classic films, and the Korean Classic Film Theater aims to serve this niche. The world’s first such comprehensive film archive on YouTube, it applies modern movie-viewing technology to traditional cinema. The channel provides English subtitles, ensuring that international viewers can appreciate these cinematic gems. Some films are also subtitled in Japanese, French and Italian.

The YouTube channel features a playlist of seven Korean films recommended by Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho. These have subtitles in multiple languages.

To enhance the viewing experience, the channel curates playlists of significant works from different eras of Korean cinema. These include the top 100 Korean films, commentary from film critic and director Jung Sung-il, and recommendations from Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho. Other playlists focus on themes like martial arts in classic films, for example, impressive taekwondo performances. Short clips, or “shorts,” offer viewers quick glimpses of these films, facilitating discovery and engagement.

Efforts have also been made to restore and enhance the channel’s classic Korean films, bringing them up to standard for modern viewers. Recent initiatives include enhancing seven masterpieces from the 1950s to 4K quality. These films were later screened in Italy. All this underscores the importance of preserving cultural heritage for future generations.

A recent addition to the YouTube channel is an HD version of “Aje Aje Bara Aje” (Come, Come, Come Upwards; 1989), based on a novel by Han Seung-won, father of Nobel Prize-winning author Han Kang.

The Korean Classic Film Theater serves as a vital resource for film enthusiasts around the world. Its educational content, accessible viewing options and commitment to preservation make it essential for anyone interested in the artistic and historical significance of Korean cinema, honoring the past and inspiring future generations of filmmakers and viewers alike.