Director Jeon Soo-ill could be the one who represents directors who are working independently until now from the 1990s when Korean films met its new tide. With a Girl of Black Soil is the first story of his new film series about 3 girls. Set in a small coal town soon to be demolished in the Kangwon province, 9-year-old girl Young-lim lives with her father and brother Tong-gu, who is mentally handicapped. Young-lim’s father has an accident in the mines, loses his job and receives no compensation. And fails again on a new business, and it becomes increasingly difficult to hold onto hope, find another job and to cope with his children. It is not so new to look into a family living in a collapsing coal town, but the deft touch of observing their uncertain life is strikingly contemplating. (LEE Sang-yong)