Experiencing Interruptions?

into the World of Ssireum

16 athletes are selected from the light-weight class of Korean Ssireum championships, Taebaek at 80kg and Geumgang at 90kg. A journey of excitement and touching emotions to select one Taegeuk Jangsa, who is the best at technical Ssireum in disregards to their weight-class.

16 strongest active Ssireum athletes were selected based on their achievements in Korean Ssireum championships from January to September 2019. After 4 preliminary rounds with different themes, only the final 8 will get a chance to advance to the final round of Taegeuk Jangsa Contest with $100,000 cash prize.
A fierce battle on the sand with the athletes’ honor and pride on the line.
And the sweat and tears of the athletes who have been forgotten by the public.
A finale after the big run of 6 months, a live final match of Taegeuk Jangsa Contest.
8 athletes will go on the sand to pour out all their strength and techniques with the very first Taeguek Jangsa title on the line. Who will be the glorious Taegeuk Jangsa?

  • SeokHyoung Park
    Director
  • YoonJeong Kang
    Writer
  • Manki Lee
    Key Cast
    "Presenter"
  • Seongju Kim
    Key Cast
    "Presenter"
  • Boom
    Key Cast
    "Presenter"
  • Jiwon Sohn
    Producer
  • HiCC
    Co-production
  • Jae-hyung Jeong
    OST Music
  • Youngseon Kim
    Camera
  • Jangho Kim
    Camera
  • Hyewon Jung
    Editing
  • Sul-nyeo Park (Park Sul-nyeo Hanbok)
    Costume Design
  • Si-yu Lee
    Costume Design
  • Nam-Hui Kim (KBS Art Vision)
    Set Decorator
  • Ji-ye Hong
    Production Designer
  • Chang-gil Kim
    Gaffer/Lighting Designer
  • Sang-mi Lee
    Subtitle Desinger
  • Jung-yoon Ha
    Subtitle Desinger
  • Myungjin Jeon
    Photographer
  • Young-jun Jo (Oz Studio)
    Sound Recording
  • Jun-hyuk Seok (Apple Box)
    Special Effects
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    nel mondo di Sserium
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Feature, Short, Television, Other
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 51 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 6, 2020
  • Country of Origin:
    Korea, Republic of
  • Country of Filming:
    Korea, Republic of
  • Language:
    Korean
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Monthly PD Awards by Korean Producers and Directors Association
    Seoul
    Korea, Republic of
    March 18, 2020
    GranPrix
  • SPORT MOVIES & TV 2021 – 39 MILANO INTERNATIONAL FICTS FEST
    Milano
    Italy
    November 7, 2020
    International Premiere
    Awards of Excellence at Television - Program / Series
  • Accolade Global Film Competition
    La Jolla
    United States
    March 2, 2021
    US Premiere
  • PALADINO D'ORO Sport Film Festival
    Palermo
    Italy
    November 20, 2021
    Official Selection & Nomination at Shortfilms
  • ABU Prize 2020
    Kuala Lumpur
    Malaysia
    November 20, 2020
    Nominaton at Sports
Distribution Information
  • KBS Media
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - SeokHyoung Park

He Joined KBS in 2004 (directing entertainment programs)

Prior Credits
2009 Men's Qualification (Entertainment)
2012 One Night 2 Days (Entertainment)
2015 Youth FC Hungry Eleven (Sports Reality)
2019 Ssireum From Taebaek to Geumgang (Sports Reality)

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Ssireum is a traditional sport that began around the 4th century. It is one of Korean’s favorite sports. Ssireum match that’re held every holiday or big event was a big attraction for people of all ages and gender. It was loved as a daily sport and game of competing each other’s strength and techniques.
Even after TV became a common household item, people were still enthusiastic about the power and techniques shown on the sand by “Jangsa,” the athletes. During its prime in the 80s, Ssireum contests had the viewer’s ratings up to 68%.
But now, Ssireum has become an old sport of the past. We don’t pay attention to the story and the reason why it became so.
However, we are trying to regain the value and meaning of Ssireum that once excited us as we gathered in front of the TV and sand by making it into a new cultural content to suit the present.
To achieve this, we used various filming equipment such as high-speed camera, CR camera, wired camera, etc. On top of this, we tried to appeal to viewers by implementing sensuous images by sophisticated editing techniques.
In addition, through a documentary-like component, away from simple sports commentation, this sports reality program includes the reality of the alienated Ssireum world and the honest stories of the athletes to convey a more humane emotions.