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World & Nation

Old partner

South Korean farmer Choi Won-kyun and wife Lee Sam-sun became overnight celebrities in South Korea after their appearance in a documentary that broke box-office records there. The animal shown here replaced their now-famous ox.

South Korean farmer Choi Won-kyun and wife Lee Sam-sun became overnight celebrities in South Korea after their appearance in a documentary that broke box-office records there. The animal shown here replaced their now-famous ox.  (John M. Glionna / Los Angeles Times)

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Elderly farmer Choi Won-kyun and his loving but nagging wife, Lee Sam-sun, are South Korea’s most reluctant celebrities.

Choi Won-kyun

An official from the tourist board in Bonghwa, South Korea, takes a picture to promote Choi and the farm.  (John M. Glionna / Los Angeles Times)

Couple

Choi and Lee with their new animal. The couple have grown weary of the hordes of visitors.  (John M. Glionna / Los Angeles Times)

Choi Won-kyun

Choi works on his homestead. The documentary “Old Partner” chronicles two years in the lives of Choi and his wife as they await the death of their aging ox.  (John M. Glionna / Los Angeles Times)

Lee Chung-ryul

First-time director Lee Chung-ryul in front of a poster for his documentary, “Old Partner.”  (John M. Glionna / Los Angeles Times)

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