A new multilingual video has been released to honor Kim Hyang-hwa, a Korean independence activist who led a group of gisaeng entertainers in protests against Japanese colonial rule during the historic March 1st Movement of 1919. The four-minute commemorative film was created as part of an ongoing project spearheaded by renowned actress Song Hye-kyo and liberal arts professor Seo Kyoung-duk from Sungshin Women's University.
According to information shared on Professor Seo's Facebook page, the video has been produced with both Korean and English narration, with financial sponsorship provided by Song Hye-kyo. The English version, titled "Defying the Barriers of Her Time, Crying Out for Independence – Gisaeng Kim Hyang-hwa," is now available on YouTube for international audiences.
The video details how Kim Hyang-hwa mobilized approximately 30 gisaeng colleagues to participate in the independence movement. Gisaengs were female entertainers during the Joseon Dynasty who performed at banquets and worked in high-profile establishments. On March 29, 1919, during the height of the nationwide independence movement that continued throughout March and April of that year, Kim successfully persuaded her fellow gisaengs to join the protest against Japanese rule.
Kim's leadership role in organizing the demonstration led to her arrest by Japanese authorities. She endured severe torture and was subsequently sentenced to six months of imprisonment at the notorious Seodaemun Prison. This facility also housed other prominent Korean independence activists, including Yu Gwan-sun, who was a student leader in the March 1st Movement. Historical records indicate that very little is known about Kim's life following her release from prison later that year.
In recognition of her courageous contributions to Korea's struggle for independence, Kim Hyang-hwa was posthumously awarded the Presidential Commendation in 2009. This honor officially acknowledged her significant role in the independence movement and her sacrifice for the cause of Korean freedom.
This latest video represents the fifth installment in the collaborative series aimed at promoting lesser-known female independence activists who fought against Japan's colonial occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945. Previous editions of the series have featured other brave women freedom fighters, including Jeong Jeong-hwa, Yun Hui-sun, Kim Maria, and Park Cha-jung.
Professor Seo Kyoung-duk, who teaches at Sungshin Women's University, is widely recognized as an outspoken activist dedicated to promoting Korean culture and history to international audiences. His partnership with Song Hye-kyo, who gained international recognition through various films and television dramas including the 2022-23 Netflix hit series "The Glory," has proven effective in bringing attention to forgotten heroes of Korean history.
The collaborative team has announced plans to continue producing additional videos that will highlight the lives and sacrifices of more female independence activists. These future productions will focus on women who fought both within Korea and abroad for their country's freedom from Japanese colonial rule, ensuring that their stories and contributions are preserved and shared with future generations.
