The images in Yunbogi′s Diary were shot by Oshima himself on his first visit to Korea in 1964. He was inspired to turn them into a film by the publication of a Japanese translation of the book which gives the film its title, the diary of a Korean street-boy. On the soundtrack, Oshima juxtaposes readings from the book with his own commentary, addressed to the boy himself - and, by extension, to all ′Yunbogis′ everywhere. Oshima sets out to make connections between Yunbogi′s work (selling papers and gum on the street to support his family) with both the liberation from Japanese colonial oppression and the overthrow of Rhee Seungman in 1960. Oshima: "At that time there were many children selling chewing gum to passing motorists, charging perhaps five won. They had doubtless bought the gum for three won. In a way they were begging, because they were charging two won more than the regular price. But they didn′t want to be seen as beggars. They wanted to do something, for pride. I was very impressed by them." (Tony Rayns)