Mannamui Gwangjang (2007 Film)

Mannamui Gwangjang (Korean: 만남의 광장), released internationally as Underground Rendezvous, is a 2007 South Korean comedy film directed by Kim Jong-Jin. Set in the 1980s, the film explores themes of division and community through a narrative involving a remote village with a clandestine link to North Korea.

Film poster for Mannamui Gwangjang — Promotional poster for Mannamui Gwangjang.

Plot

The story follows the eldest son of a struggling family who travels to Seoul with the ambition of becoming a teacher. Upon his arrival, he faces misfortune when his money is stolen and his belongings are lost. He eventually arrives at a remote, isolated town that is actively seeking a new teacher for its children. He accepts the position and develops a romantic interest in a local woman, though her background remains mysterious to him; the villagers only mention that she originates from the North. The central conflict and comedic premise revolve around the discovery that the townspeople have been maintaining a secret tunnel that connects their village to a bordering town in North Korea.

Cast

The film features an ensemble cast, including:

Im Chang-Jung as Kong Young-Tan
Park Jin-Hee as Sun-Mi
Lim Hyeon-Shik as the Town Chief
Lee Han-Wi as Jong-Suk
Shim Won-Cheol as Duk-Yong
Ryoo Seung-Bum as Jang-Geun
Kim Soo-Mi as an elderly woman
Baek Il-Seob as Young-Tan's father
Kim Hyeong-Ja as Young-Tan's mother
Choi Sung-Guk as a great man

Actor Im Chang-Jung — Im Chang-Jung, who portrays the lead character Kong Young-Tan.

Actress Park Jin-Hee — Park Jin-Hee, who plays the character Sun-Mi.

Actor Lim Hyeon-Shik — Lim Hyeon-Shik, cast as the Town Chief.

Actor Lee Han-Wi — Lee Han-Wi, who portrays Jong-Suk.

Actor Shim Won-Cheol — Shim Won-Cheol, cast as Duk-Yong.

Actor Lee Sang-Hoon — Lee Sang-Hoon, who plays Dong-Yub.

Actor Ryoo Seung-Bum — Ryoo Seung-Bum, who portrays Jang-Geun.

Actress Kim Soo-Mi — Kim Soo-Mi, appearing as an elderly woman.

Actress Kim Hyeong-Ja — Kim Hyeong-Ja, who plays Young-Tan's mother.

Actor Baek Il-Seob — Baek Il-Seob, who portrays Young-Tan's father.

Actor Choi Sung-Guk — Choi Sung-Guk, who plays a great man.

Film scene — A scene from the production.

Production

The film was produced by Jung Phil-Su and Song Chang-Yong, with cinematography by Moon Yong-Sik. It was distributed by Showbox and released in South Korea on August 15, 2007. The total runtime of the film is 107 minutes.