A Woman Who Draws Cranes

Headmaster Yoon at Neungkol has four sons. The eldest son named Dong-Cheol dies at the war. Yoon adopts Yuriko, a Japanese orphan, as his daughter at 1945 Liberation. The second son named Dong-Min devotes himself to the communist ideology to quarrel with his father with the help of Won-Kyu. One day Yoon is killed with rifles by Won-Kyu, and Yun's wife adopts Keun-Shik, Won-Kyu's son, as her son. At the occurrence of 1950 Korean War, the third son named Dong-Seok becomes a policeman. The youngest son named Dong-Kuk and Keun-Shik escape to Pusan. Dong-Kuk becomes a South Korea Army's soldier, while Keun-Shik becomes a smuggler. Dong-Min is killed on the charge of a communist, while Keun-Shik becomes a millionaire. Dong-Seok kills himself at 1961 students revolution, while Keun-Shik is put in jail in 1962 military revolution.

Directed by —, A Woman Who Draws Cranes leans on a strong ensemble — Min Ji-hwan — 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 screen titles of 1979.