More than one thousand extras from Na's hometown Hoeryong were employed in the filming of Sarangeul chajaseo, making the film into a symbolic epic national exodus as a protest against the Japanese occupation of Korea.

Originally entitled Crossing the Duman River (두만강을 건너서), the film was banned and censored by the Japanese occupying authorities after its first showing.

Popular demand caused it to be re-released, though in a heavily edited form, and renamed In Search of Love.

[1] The plot concerns three characters who have lost hope in continuing their lives in Korea—Kokosu (Lee Geum-ryong), an old man who has lost his farmland; Dong-min (Na Woon-gyu); and Jong-hui (Jeong Ok), who had been betrayed by her boyfriend.

Seeking a better life in northeast China, the three are attacked by Chinese "majeok" bandits and the Japanese while attempting the ice-covered Tumen River crossing of the China–North Korea border .