Who Knows the Pain

Seong Ji-yeon, a female officer of the North Korean army, is discovered by southern forces on a snow covered mountain. She suffers from severe frostbite so she is taken to a military hospital. There she falls in love with a doctor, Captain Lee. However, when he is sent to the front, she is sent to try to survive the hardships of a POW camp.

Directed by Seol Tae-ho, Who Knows the Pain leans on a strong ensemble — Park Keun-hyong, Kim Young-ae, Lee Yeong-ju — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about romance titles of 1979.