South Korea: Comfort women film returning to cinemas in Republic of Korea to honor victims, preserve history.

A decade after its initial release, a poignant film "Spirits' Homecoming," based on the real experiences of "comfort women" victims, is returning to theaters in the Republic of Korea to honor the victims and preserve history. A re-release ceremony of the movie held in Seoul on Friday, which coincides with the International Memorial Day for Comfort Women, a day dedicated to remembering the women victims forced into sexual slavery system by the Japanese armed forces during World War II. The movie depicts the ordeal of girls from the Korean Peninsula who were forcibly recruited by the Japanese army as "comfort women" during World War II, endured brutal abuse, died in a foreign land, and finally had their spirits return to their hometowns. Crowd-funded by 70,000 civilians a decade ago, the movie drew more than 3.5 million viewers to cinemas. This year, the film has been re-adapted for release, incorporating previously unreleased footage. After watching the film, many young viewers said that the film Spirits' Homecoming allowed them to experience that period of history up close. They hoped that more people will watch this film and remember that part of history. Shotlist: Seoul, ROK - Aug 14, 2026: 1. Various of clips of movie Spirits' Homecoming; 2. Various of re-release ceremony in progress; cast members on stage, viewers; 3. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Cho Jung-rae, director of Spirits' Homecoming (partially overlaid with shot 4): "In the Republic of Korea, only five 'comfort women' survivors are still alive today. Those who have already passed away all left with lingering regrets -- taking with them their pain, their bitterness, and their unspoken anger. I hope that while these elderly women are still here -- even if it comes down to the very last one -- the issue will finally be settled, and they will receive a genuine apology from Japan." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]; 4. Movie clip [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]; 5. Various of cast members speaking on stage, viewers; 6. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Moviegoer (name not given) (starting with shot 5): "It's painful to watch the film, and I hope everyone will watch the movie and experience it for themselves."; 7. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Moviegoer (name not given): "The 'comfort women' issue deserves to be known by more people, even if that awareness only begins today. I hope more people will turn their attention to this history."; 8. Movie clip. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]