Um Hong Gil is a South Korean mountaineer. He has led many South Korean summer expeditions to Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, where he has successfully climbed South America's highest mountain many times. He has reached the summit of all 14 eight-thousand meters peaks in the world, and is the first person in climbing the 16 highest points on Earth. He was awarded the Himalayan Crown when he completed the 14 highest peaks in 2001. He is the first South Korean and the eleventh climber in the world to hold this distinction. He led successful expeditions up Everest in 1988, 2002 and 2003.

The movie 'The Himalayas' (2015) was directed by Lee Seok Hoon and starred Hwang Jung Min in the role of Um. It is based on Um's real life, primarily focusing on his mentorship of two other climbers who later died during an ascent.

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