Festival Program 본문
Festival Program / Talking in Nature
40 Years of Antarctic Exploration: Past and Present of South Korea’s Antarctic Exploration
Schedule
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09.27 Sat 19:00
Alps Cinema 2
PROGRAM
40 Years of Footprints on the Ice
Antarctica: a continent of white darkness and endless snowfields, a land of extremes that tests the limits of human endurance. To mark the 40th anniversary of South Korean Antarctic exploration, two explorers, representing the 'past' that forged a grand history and the 'present' that is writing a new one, come together in one place.
In 1985, the first South Korean expedition planted its flag on the unfamiliar and distant continent of Antarctica. At the heart of this endeavor was Captain Heo Wook, who became the sixth person in the world to summit Vinson Massif, Antarctica's highest peak. Nearly 40 years later, Captain Kim Young-mi has opened a new horizon in exploration by becoming the first Asian to complete a solo, unsupported ski traverse of the Antarctic continent, covering 1,786 km.
This special program begins with a screening of the film After Antarctica, which deeply resonates with the stories of these two explorers. The film, which follows the legendary explorer Will Steger's three decades of polar expeditions, was the Grand Prize winner at the 7th Ulsan Ulju Mountain Film Festival (UMFF 2022), leaving a profound impression on its audience.
Following the film, a talk session will be held with Captain Heo Wook and Captain Kim Young-mi, moderated by mountaineer Kwak Jeong-hye. This will be a precious opportunity to hear firsthand about the experiences and defiant spirit of two explorers spanning 40 years, the life wisdom Antarctica has taught them, and their message for future generations.
■ Date & Time: September 27, 2025 (Sat) 19:00 - 21:16 (A 30-minute talk will follow the film screening)
■ Venue: Alps Cinema 2
■ Participants: Talk: Captain Heo Wook, Captain Kim Young-mi Moderator: Mountaineer Kwak Jeong-hye
*Please note that this talk will not be provided with English interpretation.
After Antarctica
USA | 2021 | 106 min | Color | Documentary
A journey across the Arctic and Antarctic, After Antarctica follows the life-long journey of legendary polar explorer Will Steger, who has witnessed the changes in the polar regions. Thirty years after his historic feat of traversing the coldest continent on Earth, Steger once again ventures onto the ice. He is known as the first and last person to have accomplished such a historic achievement.
GUEST
Kim Young-mi
She loves the trembling moments faced in the wild, far from the world, and the profound stillness felt where the sounds of nature are most vivid. She began climbing the Himalayas in 2003 and achieved her dream of summiting the highest peaks on all seven continents in her 20s. In January 2025, relying solely on her two feet, she completed a solo crossing of Antarctica - 1,786 km in 70 days. She is currently preparing to share this journey through a book and a documentary.
Heo Wook
A graduate of the Posung High School Alpine Club, Heo Wook mastered the routes of Insubong and Seoninbong during his high school years and led the pioneering of new routes on Ulsanbawi Rock and Janggunbong in Seoraksan Mountain. From 1979 to 1980, he became the first Korean to complete the three great north faces of the Alps (Eiger, Matterhorn, and Grandes Jorasses). He also left a significant mark on the great walls of the Himalayas with his ascent of Baintha Brakk II in 1981 and Makalu in 1982. In 1985, as the climbing leader of Korea's first Antarctic expedition, he successfully summited Vinson Massif, which paved the way for South Korea to join the Antarctic Treaty. A member of the Ahgoo Alpine Club, he has served as the principal of the Seoul Climbing School and the director of the Corean Alpine Club's training center.
Kwak Jeong-hye
Climbed a number of peaks in the Alps and Nepal Himalayas, and summited Everest in 2006. Worked as an editor of the MOUNTAIN journal, at once edited and published monthly reports, annual report, and English newsletters of the Korean Alpine Federation(KAF). Currently serving as an academic and cultural director of KAF & a member of Korea Mountaineering Lab. Wrote an essay Choice, my Youth’s Everest and translated&published Stephen Venables’ Himalayan Alpine Style to Korean. Won the ‘Go Sang-don’ special prize for Korean Mountain Awards, and the ‘Lee Eun-sang’ prize for Corea Alpine Club Awards.
