At various points in South Korea's history, the social influence of film prompted the government to place strict regulations setting out guidelines that films must follow in order to be viewed by the public. There are two major periods where film censorship strongly impacted the growth of the film industry in South Korea: the period of colonial Korea under Japanese rule (Japanese occupation) and the period of military dictatorship in the mid-twentieth century, when the film industry was placed under heavily surveillance. During these two periods, filmmakers were barred from freely expressing their creativity, thoughts, and ideas, and these restrictions led to the decline of the film industry. Film censorship in Colonial Korea under Japanese rule Film was introduced to Korea during the Chosun dynasty (1897–1910) and it quickly became a predominant form of media. The beginning of the Japanese occupation in 1910 saw the commencement of censorship laws categorically meant to protect the image of the Japanese empire. Also, films that dissuaded war-related objective or praised America were forbidden. Laws introduced in this period included the Motion Picture Censorship Regulation and the Chosun Motion Picture Law. The Motion Picture Censorship Regulation includes: All foreign and domestic films need consent before being televised Japanese police must be present for screenings The Chosun Motion Picture Law includes: Precondition to obtain license in the film industry Preliminary restraint of films Punishment for non-observance of the law The major impetus for establishing such laws was to strengthen control of the public since such media were excellent vehicles to influence its viewers. They required filmmakers not to tarnish the image of the Japanese Empire nor praise their enemy in order to prevent any form of doubt on the Japanese paramountcy. They closed down several Korean film production companies and banned some films that were unfavorable to the Japanese Empire. Major films influenced by censorship: Bloody Horse (1928) directed by Hong Kae-myung A Ferry Boat that No One Owns (Imjaeobtneun naleutbae) (1932) directed by Lee Kyu-hwan Film censorship under the new military regime Film censorship had a severe impact on the South Korean film industry during the depression period between 1973 and 1992. During this period, film censorship was strongly enforced under the military regime by Park Chung Hee and Chun Doo Hwan. They both realized that media was the most influential channel used at the time to affect how people viewed the government. Prior