'In the Sea of Strange Thoughts': Documentary showcases philosopher Kim Woo-chang's life and legacy

Turning abstract philosophy into cinema has often seemed nearly impossible. Yet, after more than two decades of persistence, the first Korean humanities documentary of its kind, 'In the Sea of Strange Thoughts,' has been completed.

The film, directed by Kim Woo-chang's former student Choi Jung-dan, premiered at the Busan International Film Festival and is currently seeking distribution. The project began in 2004 when Choi followed his mentor, Professor Kim Woo-chang, with a handheld camera, hoping to preserve his lectures. Over time, the documentary shifted to depicting Kim's everyday life-his routines in his Seoul home, his reflections on philosophy, and his relationships.

The production cost, mostly raised by Choi herself, was a personal sacrifice spanning 21 years, comparable in devotion to the loyalty of pop culture fandoms.

The life of Kim Woo-chang on screen

At 89, Kim Woo-chang, Professor Emeritus at Korea University, is regarded as one of South Korea's foremost intellectuals. His recognition includes full membership at the prestigious Accademia Ambrosiana in Italy (2018) and the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit (2022).

His influence spans literature, philosophy, science, and politics, with global intellectuals such as Pierre Bourdieu and Kenzaburō Ōe admiring his works. The documentary captures small, everyday images: Kim clearing snow on a steep staircase, picking up the morning newspaper, or tending to a wild garden that surrounds his Seoul home. His philosophy-summarized by concepts like "aesthetic reason," "concrete universality," and "ecological thought"-is seen not only in his writings but embodied in his lifestyle.

Even his affection for stray cats mirrors his belief that all living beings deserve protection and safety. Though the film portrays him as both a philosopher and a human being, Kim himself shows little interest in watching it. With humor, he insists, "I lived 90 years. What more could a film tell me?"

Philosophy in the age of K-culture

Director Choi sees the documentary as more than a personal tribute-it is a call to introduce "K-philosophy" to a world currently immersed in K-culture.

If K-pop and K-films define the country's cultural exports, she believes Kim Woo-chang's legacy could represent the intellectual foundation. She is also working on translating Kim's influential book 'The Poet in a Destitute Age' into English to bring his writings to global classrooms. Kim, for his part, stresses that the Korean identity lies in its openness to global dialogue. For instance, he has warned that abandoning traditional elements such as classical Chinese characters could weaken cultural roots.

In an age shaped by technology and artificial intelligence, he believes the humanities must remain a framework for asking deeper questions about identity and existence.

Beyond the film

Choi's company, founded in 2014, has never turned a profit. She even chose to forgo co-producing the Korean box office hit 'Extreme Job,' which drew over 1.6 crore (16 million) viewers, in order to devote herself entirely to documenting Kim's life.

Her hope is that the years of footage will eventually be repurposed in books, broadcasts, and digital formats to spread Kim's teachings further. While Kim jokingly describes himself as "not worth filming," Choi insists that his philosophy carries lessons for a society facing uncertainty. In his everyday rituals-picking up a newspaper, tending to his garden, or caring for stray cats-Choi sees a life that quietly embodies wisdom. The film does not attempt to glorify him but to open a space where audiences may reflect on questions of time, memory, and existence. After 21 years, 'In the Sea of Strange Thoughts' stands as not only a cinematic tribute to a single philosopher but also a proposal: that philosophy itself can become part of the cultural wave shaping the country's future.

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