Director: Youn-hyun Chang
Writer: Hyeon-jeong Kim
Stars: Young-doo Oh, Ryu Seung-Ryong, Hye-kyo Song
Language: Korean (w/ English subtitles)
I watched this movie without knowing the historical back-story or the Korean folk tales. As a period movie, the production is excellent. I liked the way the movie introduced the two main characters to the audience. Hye-Kyo Song playing Hwang Jin Yi is absolutely beautiful and mesmerizing. The period costumes and sets are quite stunning. The historical Hwang Jin Yi is said to be very good at dancing and singing, two things the movie could have made more use of. Yet, the movie did portray her as an intellectual, a poet and an equal of period aristocratic men; and an independent strong woman in a male dominated society. The love story between the two main characters could have been a bit stronger. As it is, her agonizing over her original love after having chosen the life of a gisaeng is somewhat perplexing. Nevertheless, a very good storytelling; a nicely done period drama. My Rating: 7.5
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