Biopic On Korea’s First Priest, Martyr Premieres Sept 20 On EWTN

‘A Birth’ is a film centered around the life and mission of Korea’s first Catholic priest and martyr, St Andrew Kim Taegon, which will premiere on EWTN Channel, on September 20.

It was first screened three years ago to an exclusive audience of Vatican authorities, Korean priests, and religious leaders, including Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik.

This public premiere of the film coincides with the Catholic Television’s (founded by Mother Mary Angelica) 40th anniversary celebration.

Directed by Park Heung-sik, the film tells the story of Fr Andrew Kim Taegon’s (1821-1846) difficult journeys from Korea, Macau, the Philippines and China to study for the priesthood while evading persecution, and his return to Korea to bring to birth Korea’s Catholic Church.
He was eventually killed for his faith at age 24 in 1824, a year after being ordained a priest, outside the now capital city of Seoul.

Actor Yoon Shi-Yoon, who plays the protagonist, said the movie, made to commemorate the saint’s 200th birth anniversary, helps keep his spirit alive in his heart.

“200 years ago, St Andrew Kim wanted to cross the ocean and follow the spirit of the missionaries sent by the Vatican. In the end, he could not come to Vatican because of the situation at the time, but now I feel like he has come here (Vatican) with me,” he said.

Canonised a saint by Pope John Paul II in 1984, the Vatican installed a 12-foot sculpture of the saint on the exterior wall of St Peter’s Basilica in September 2023.