Rare Original Stills of 1926 Anti-Japanese Film 'Arirang' Discovered

Original stills from the 1926 silent film 'Arirang', a significant work in early Korean cinema and a prominent anti-Japanese nationalist film, have been uncovered for the first time. The film's footage has been lost since 1952, leaving only ten promotional stills in existence. These stills were originally printed in limited quantities for media distribution during the film's release. Kim Yeon-gap, co-chair of the '100th Anniversary of the Film Arirang' committee, recently revealed the only known original still from the film, obtained from a collector. This particular still was published in the September 19, 1926 edition of the Dong-A Ilbo. Due to the limitations of printing technology at the time, it had previously been known only in low-quality reproductions. The scene depicts the protagonist, Yeong-jin (played by Na Woon-kyu), who returns home after being tortured by the Japanese and has gone mad, receiving care from his sister Yeong-hee (played by Shin Il-sun). Directed, written, and starred in by Na Woon-kyu (1902–1937), 'Arirang' features a theme song that became a nationwide folk song, ending with the line 'You can't go ten miles without falling ill.' The film's plot, which involves the protagonist avenging the actions of a pro-Japanese landlord's henchman, resonated deeply with audiences under Japanese rule. Unfortunately, the film was lost during World War II when it was confiscated for military supplies and later incinerated for silver extraction after liberation. The last known screening occurred in Daegu in 1952. Kim Yeon-gap emphasized the importance of the original stills, stating, 'In a situation where not a single piece of film remains, the original stills of 'Arirang' are a precious legacy.' Additionally, Kim discovered another previously unknown still from 'Arirang' in the June 1941 issue of the magazine 'Samcheolli', depicting a scene where the protagonist is bullied by villagers, with the caption identifying Na Woon-kyu as the director and lead actor. This issue also featured the only known unmasked photograph of Na Woon-kyu among the 16 existing images of him.