KBS Popular Drama 'Kkotpineun Paldogangsan' PD Kim Su-dong Passes Away

Kim Su-dong PD, who transitioned from a film director to a KBS PD and hit dramas such as 'Kkotpineun Paldo Gangsan' and 'Yetnal-ui Geumjandi,' has passed away at the age of 89.

PD Kim Su-dong. [Photo by Korean Film Archive]

According to his family on the 9th, Kim PD passed away on the 7th due to old age.

He was born in Seoul as the son of Kim Eul-han, who served as a reporter for Chosun Ilbo and executive director of Seoul Shinmun. After emigrating to Japan, he graduated from the Department of Literature and Arts at Seijo University. He then joined Daiei Film Company as an assistant director, participating as staff in works by renowned directors such as Ozu Yasujir?, Masumura Yasuzo, and Yoshimura Kozaburo, beginning his directing career.

After forming a connection with director Shin Sang-ok, who had come to Japan for filming, he returned to Korea in 1964 and debuted as a director in Korea with the film 'Manga' (1965). He directed seven feature films including 'Danbalmeori' (1967) and 'Ddal' (1968), then transitioned to broadcasting, joining KBS in 1972 and working as a TV director.

His representative work after joining KBS, 'Kkotpineun Paldo Gangsan,' is a drama that begins with an elderly couple calling all their children and family to Seoul, closing their store, and declaring they will travel around the eight provinces, visiting their children's homes alternately. Top stars of the time such as Kim Hee-gap, Hwang Jeong-sun, Jang Min-ho, Choi Eun-hee, Do Geum-bong, Park No-sik, and Tae Hyun-sil all appeared. Although four films were previously produced as part of the 'Paldo Gangsan' series, Kim was praised for presenting a highly complete work with sophisticated visuals and depictions of human psychology.

Photo of Blossoming Paldo Gangsan.

At a time when outdoor filming was not a concept in broadcasting stations, as a former film director, he traveled around Paldo Gangsan in a relay car to conduct filming, and this drama later brought changes to the Korean drama production method.

He also directed works such as 'Malhui' (1977), which portrayed male-female relationships beyond the typical patriarchal couple, 'Dalmaji-kkot' (1986), depicting various people visiting their hometowns for Chuseok, 'Yetnal Na Eoril Jeoge' (1993), about parents planning their own retirement, and 'Kkeun' (1995), which illustrated the true meaning of life gained by donating all one's assets back to society.

His major feature works include 'Gil' (1981), portraying a woman who steadfastly protects herself amid painful history, the family drama 'Yetnal-ui Geumjandi' (1991) that warmly depicted human affection, as well as 'Rainy Day Afternoon' (1992) and 'Yuhok' (1996).

He served as production manager and director of the entertainment bureau, which included the drama production department at KBS at the time, and after retiring in 1992, he worked as director and head of production at Samhwa Production. He received the Baeksang Arts Award and the Seoul City Cultural Award.

His survivors include his wife Hwang Seung-ri, who played the female lead in his debut work 'Manga.'

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.