Under the Sky of Seoul (1961)

Showcasing an extraordinary ensemble performance by the most prominent acting talents of the day, Under the Sky of Seoul molds the theme of transition from the old to the new sensitive and topical issue at the time into a sophisticated comedy through the strifes and squabbles of the common populace. The opening sequence, which introduces each of the film's characters by moving fluidly through the narrow alleyway, is a particularly polished example of the considerable skill Lee Hyeong-pyo already commanded in his directorial debut.
The introductory narration of Under the Sky of Seoul "A time when the old age and the new stand shoulder to shoulder" encapsulates the film's overall content. In the battle between the doctor of Oriental medicine, who represents the older generation, and the doctor of Western medicine, who speaks for the new generation, the values of the former are considered mere obstinacy or irrationality; the outdated generation must eventually give in to the will of the newer, more rational generation. Kim Hak-gyu's dogged obduracy ends only after he has paid the price by losing all of his wealth. In the end, his need to intervene in every single part of his children's marriage and love life is criticized as unnecessary fuss. Thus, the culture and values of the old generation/Oriental medicine/tradition are replaced by the modern values and rationalistic culture of the new generation/Western medicine/progress.
Another source of fun in Under the Sky of Seoul comes from the outstanding ensemble performance of the finest actors of the day. Kim Seung-ho as the traditional patriarch; Han Eun-jin as the conventional wife, who chides her husband but always follows his will in the end; Choi Eun-hee as the eldest daughter and hair salon owner; and Kim Jin-kyu in the role of her sweetheart are all worthy of note, but the movie's biggest laughs come from the deliciously sly yet ingratiating performances given by Heo Jang-kang and Kim Hee-gap.