A Shoeshine Boy (1961)
Following the death of his parents, Yeong-cheol shines shoes in the streets, struggling to care for his sick younger sister Yeong-hui and make ends meet. Despite the persuasive efforts of low-life criminal boss Wang-cho, pickpocket Jjang-gu, and prostitute Mi-hwa, Yeong-cheol vows to lead an honest life by looking after Yeong-hui with cigarette salesgirl Myeong-sun and helping newly arrived shoeshine boy Dong-seok settle in. However, a tragic accident forces Yeong-cheol to make an important decision that may change his life. ※ Sharing the same Korean title with Vittorio De Sica’s classic Shoeshine (1946), this film was noted at the time of release for its strong neorealistic approach. All of the picture elements have been lost and only 4 original sound negative reels (around 40 minutes) survive today. The plot summary and scene descriptions have been added in the form of title cards as well as a selection of production stills to aid the viewing experience.
Director:
Hyeon Sang-yeol
Writer:
Suk Lee
![]() |
Park Gwang-su as Yeongcheol |
![]() |
Park Geum-hui as Younghee |
![]() |
Kim Yeong-ok as Myung Soon |
![]() |
Nam Chun-yeok as Mr. Lee |
![]() |
Chu Seok-yang as Padrone |
![]() |
Lee Jongha as |
![]() |
Park Jeong-eun as |
![]() |
Jo Mi-ryeong as |
![]() |
Kim Hee-kap as |
![]() |
Jeong Ae-ran as Myung Soon-mo |
![]() |
Lee Kyeong-hui as Soonyoung Mo |
![]() |
Han Mi-na as Anna |
![]() |
Lee Gil-eok as |
![]() |
Jeon Se-gwon as Gilman |
![]() |
Yoon Wang-gook as |
![]() |
Choi Sam as Sergeant |
![]() |
Lee Yong as |
![]() |
Lee Nak-hoon as Oh Seok |
| Production | Lee Yeol | Producer |
| Production | Jeong Hwa-se | Producer |
| Editing | Hui-yeong Park | Editor |
| Lighting | Yang Jeong-chun | Lighting Director |
| Camera | Tae Kil-seong | Director of Photography |
| Sound | Sohn In-ho | Sound Recordist |
| Sound | Park Chun-suk | Music |
| Art | Seong-chil Hong | Art Direction |
| Directing | Hyeon Sang-yeol | Director |
| Writing | Suk Lee | Screenplay |