Catholicism (Western learning) took root in China through the devotion of Matteo Ricci, an Italian priest. While serving as a missionary in China from 1583 to 1610, he played a significant role in introducing both the Catholic faith and European culture to China.
Actor Yoon Si-yoon, who portrays Korea s first priest, St. Andrew Kim Dae-geon, in “A Birth,” said he focused on depicting Kim as a young adventurer rather than a religious figure in the upcoming biographical film. “I thought it would be impossible to sympathize with Catholic priest Kim Dae-geon. I asked myself, How dare I say that I understand him? So I tried to approach him as a bold adventurer who was eager to explore the unforeseen world and accept Western culture through religion, languages and education,” he said during a press conference for the film, Wednesday.
A biopic centering on the life of Korea s first Catholic priest, Andrew Kim Dae-geon (1821-46), is set for theatrical release next month. Produced in celebration of the bicentenary of Kim s birth and UNESCO s recognition of him last year, “A Birth” charts the pilgrimage taken by the country s iconic religious leader in the early 19th-century Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).