Yoon Si-yoon to portray Korea's first catholic priest in upcoming film

Actor Yoon Si-yoon will portray Korea's first catholic priest Saint Andrew Kim Taegon (1821-46) in a film celebrating the 200th anniversary of Kim's birth, according to film production company Raphael Pictures on Tuesday. The film titled "Birth" ..

Actor Yoon Si-yoon [MOA ENTERTAINMENT]

Actor Yoon Si-yoon will portray Korea’s first catholic priest Saint Andrew Kim Taegon (1821-46) in a film celebrating the 200th anniversary of Kim’s birth, according to film production company Raphael Pictures on Tuesday.

The film titled “Birth” (translated) will also star actors Ahn Sung-ki, Lee Moon-sik, Shin Jung-geun and Nam Da-reum.

“Birth” will follow the life and adventures of Kim who was born into a Catholic family during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) which severely persecuted religions other than Confucianism.

Kim went on to study theology in Macau and became a Catholic priest in 1845, but was beheaded the following year due to religious persecution. Kim was canonized in 1984 by Pope John Paul II.

Director Park Heung-sik, best known for the film “Twenty Again” (2016), wrote the script and will direct. Filming will start this November and the movie is set to hit theaters in November 2022.

BY HALEY YANG [yang.hyunjoo@joongang.co.kr]