# Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet

Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet (Korean: 동주; RR: Dongju) is a 2016 South Korean black-and-white biographical period drama film directed by Lee Joon-ik and written by Shin Yeon-shick, starring Kang Ha-neul as the titular character, and Park Jeong-min. It was released in South Korea on February 17, 2016.

## Plot

During the Japanese colonial period, when names, language, and dreams were forbidden, Dong-ju and Mong-gyu, cousins of the same age, were born and raised together. Dong-ju, a young man who dreams of becoming a poet, sees Mong-gyu, who acts fearlessly for his beliefs, as both his closest friend and a figure difficult to surpass.
The two leave their chaotic homeland to pursue studies in Japan, which forces them to adopt Japanese names. There, Mong-gyu becomes even more devoted to the independence movement, while Dong-ju continues to write poetry, mourning the tragedy of their times. This deepens the conflict between them, as Mong-gyu is driven by action, while Dong-ju expresses his despair through words.

## Cast

* Kang Ha-neul as Yun Dong-ju
* Park Jeong-min as Song Mong-gyu [ko]
* Kim In-woo [ko] as Detective
* Choi Hee-seo as Kumi
* Shin Yoon-jo as Lee Yeo-jin
* Min Jin-woong as Kang Cheo-Joong
* Choi Hong-Il [ko] as Dong-Ju's father
* Lee Bit-na as Yun Dong-Ju's younger sister
* Moon Sung-keun as Jeong Ji-yong

## Reception

The film was fifth placed on its opening weekend in South Korea, grossing US$1.14 million.

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
| 2016 | 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards | Grand Prize (Film) | Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet | Won |
| 2016 | 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Film | Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet | Nominated |
| 2016 | 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Director (Film) | Lee Joon-ik | Nominated |
| 2016 | 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards | Best New Actor (Film) | Park Jeong-min | Won |
| 2016 | 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Screenplay (Film) | Shin Yeon-shick | Nominated |
| 2016 | 16th Director's Cut Awards | Best New Actor | Park Jeong-min | Won |
| 2016 | 16th Director's Cut Awards | Best Production of the Year | Shin Yeon-shick | Won |
| 2016 | 25th Buil Film Awards | Best Director | Lee Joon-ik | Won |
| 2016 | 25th Buil Film Awards | Best Actor | Kang Ha-neul | Nominated |
| 2016 | 25th Buil Film Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Park Jeong-min | Nominated |
| 2016 | 25th Buil Film Awards | Best New Actor | Park Jeong-min | Nominated |
| 2016 | 25th Buil Film Awards | Best Screenplay | Shin Yeon-shick | Won |
| 2016 | 25th Buil Film Awards | Best Music | Mowg | Won |
| 2016 | 36th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards | Best Screenplay | Shin Yeon-shick | Won |
| 2016 | 17th Busan Film Critics Awards | Best Screenplay | Shin Yeon-shick | Won |
| 2016 | 37th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Film | Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet | Nominated |
| 2016 | 37th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Director | Lee Joon-ik | Nominated |
| 2016 | 37th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best New Actor | Park Jeong-min | Won |
| 2016 | 37th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Screenplay | Shin Yeon-shick | Won |
| 2017 | 22nd Chunsa Film Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Park Jeong-min | Won |