Chunhyangdyun (2000)
83%RT Audience Score: 74%
Awards & Nominations: 6 wins & 5 nominations
Chunhyang is a cinematic masterpiece that transcends time and culture, weaving together a premodern folk tale with postmodern sensibilities. Im’s direction evokes a seething, primitivist beauty that rivals the likes of Makhmalbaf, while also exploring the contrapuntal textual investigations of Resnais. The result is a film that casts its own peculiar spell, drawing the viewer in with its charm and elegance. Part Disney, part Karl Marx, and all Korean, Chunhyang is a must-see for anyone who appreciates mythically resonant storytelling and richly cinematic visuals.
Chunhyang is like a Korean fairy tale that’s been given a modern twist, and it’s definitely worth watching. The movie is beautifully shot and the story is captivating, even if it’s a bit slow at times. It’s like a mix of Disney and Karl Marx, which sounds weird but somehow works. Plus, the protagonist is a total badass, even if she lived centuries ago. Overall, I’d say Chunhyang is a must-see for anyone who loves a good story and stunning visuals.
Production Company(ies)
Hecht-Lancaster Productions, Steven Productions,
Distributor
Lot 47 Films
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
South Korea
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for some sexuality
Year of Release
2000
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 1m
-
Language(s):Korean
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 7, 2000 Original
Genre(s)
Romance
Keyword(s)
starring Lee Hyojeong, Cho Seung-woo, Lee Rogeon, Kim Sung-nyu, Kim Hak-young, Lee Hye-eun, directed by Im Kwon-taek, written by Kim Myung-gon, romance, R rating, Lot 47 Films, $802.9K box office, Dolby Stereo, Dolby SR, Surround sound mix, Flat (1.85:1) aspect ratio, reviewed by Lisa Schwarzbaum, Geoff Pevere, Liam Lacey, Michael Atkinson, Eleanor Ringel Cater, Michael Wilmington, Burl Burlingame, Prairie Miller, Jim Lane, Jeffrey Overstreet, Emanuel Levy, Carol Cling, Korean language, period romance, folktale formula, social class, despotic ruler, love story, elopement, death sentence, sincerity, savory visuals, Im Kwon-taek’s masterpiece, Korean cinema, ancient story, moral teachings, loyalty, obstacles, boundaries, Korean culture, epic piece, Chinese influence, slow-paced, singer, operatic delivery, voice-over, dialogue, cinematography, breathtaking scenery, immersion, Korean folklore
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: $798,220
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,384,445
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,110
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Cho Seung-woo – Lee Mongryong
Lee Rogeon – Byeon Hakdo
Kim Sung-nyu – Wolmae
Kim Hak-young – Bangja
Lee Hye-eun – Hyangdan
Director(s)
Im Kwon-taek
Writer(s)
Kim Myung-gon
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
6 wins & 5 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (42) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (36) | Rotten (6)
September 7, 2011 | Rating: B+
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
A seductively watchable, mythically resonant experience.
November 30, 2001
Geoff Pevere
Toronto Star
TOP CRITIC
A premodern folk tale in a postmodern form that refreshes both the eye and our ideas about storytelling.
November 30, 2001 | Rating: 3/4
Liam Lacey
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
Im’s movie approaches a seething, primitivist beauty that evokes Makhmalbaf and parallels the contrapuntal textual investigations of Resnais.
August 15, 2001
Michael Atkinson
Village Voice
TOP CRITIC
Admiration gives way to something like enthrallment. Be patient and you’ll see that this picture casts its own peculiar spell.
February 26, 2001 | Rating: B+
Eleanor Ringel Cater
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
TOP CRITIC
It’s a movie charmingly traditional and richly cinematic, and I’m not damning with faint praise when I say it’s the best Korean film I’ve seen.
February 26, 2001
Michael Wilmington
Chicago Tribune
TOP CRITIC
Reminded of ‘Ever After,’ a film that took a standard western myth and updated it with wit, verve and relevance. This is in that league, and rather more elegant and adult.
July 5, 2011 | Rating: 3/4
Burl Burlingame
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Part Disney, part Karl Marx, the movie might be characterized as a North Korean post-revolutionary blockbuster. And though the persecuted protagonist is hardly a shrinking violet but not quite a budding feminist, hey, we’re talking centuries ago.
May 16, 2009
Prairie Miller
NewsBlaze
August 7, 2008 | Rating: 4/5
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review
Chunhyang is a gorgeous, elaborate film that feels like a fairy tale with a fresh coat of paint. Unfortunately, the paint is the most interesting part.
September 20, 2007 | Rating: C+
Jeffrey Overstreet
Looking Closer
July 31, 2005 | Rating: 3/5
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
February 20, 2004 | Rating: 5/5
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal…
Plot
Mongryong marries the beautiful Chunhyang without telling his father, the Governor of Namwon. When his father is transferred to Seoul, Mongryong has to leave Chunhyang and finish his exams. Chunhyang, being the daughter of a courtesan, is also legally a courtesan. She is beaten and imprisoned when she refuses to obey the new Governor Byun, as she wishes to be faithful to her husband. After three years, Mongryong passes his exam and becomes an emissary to the King. He returns to Namwon, disguised as a beggar, just before Chunhyang is to be flogged to death at the governor’s birthday celebration.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Nothing to add here about Chunhyang.
Im-Kwon-taek.jpg
