Kim Taeil began his career at PURN Production, a documentary production circle. Starting with Special Song of Wonjin Factory (1993), a documentary addressing the occupational disease incident at Wonjin Rayon, he has consistently explored Korea's painful history and the lives of those at the margins of society in works such as 9th April (2000) and Annyong, Sayonara (2005). He later founded Sanggu-ne, a family-run production house, where he works with director Ju Romi to complete the People's World History project, spanning No Name Stars (2010), Wellang Trei (2012), All Live, Olive (2016), and Again the Wind Blows (2022). By excavating the lives of individuals whose records were erased amid the massive currents of history, his work continues through Raining Dust (2025), a documentary about the last coal miners. Kim has received the Woonpa Award at the Busan International Film Festival for Annyong, Sayonara, and the BIFF Mecenat Award for Raining Dust.
