Hwang Jin-yi

I had always had a soft spot for SHK since first seeing her in Autumn Tale and My Girl and I, after hearing so much about this film while it was in production I had made up my mind to go see it.

unknown to some, there is also a drama that was made and was released a few months prior to this movie. I wanted to get a hold on the storyline and a feel for the character before seeing this movie so i watched the drama. it was absolutely brilliant. the main girl in there, Ha Ji Won, was excellent, she had this proud-ness about her that was either endearing or dis-likable, but to me she was such a likable character,even if she wasn't lovable, and the dancing was so beautiful, especially the sword dance and the calling for justice dance she did to save her lover.

with that feeling i went into the movie, i knew from the forgo that the movie would be different, would have different feel and the character would be different too. but i never expected to not like Hwang Jin Yi, or find her a bore.

But i did, she was so utterly boring and the director tried way to hard for the viewers to feel sorry for Hwang's situation that it really ruined it for me. one of the reason the drama was so good was that Hwang in the drama was never portrayed to be a sympathetic character, the path she tread was the one she had chosen, she had no one to blame but herself, she never asked for our sympathy, and we don't feel the need to give it to her.

the movie's Hwang was the total opposite, we see her as being forced into the situation, taking crap from people and being betrayed by her best friend then abandoned by him. all the makings for a sympathetic character, but although i did feel sorry for her as would anyone with a bit of compassion in them but felt like a cheap shot. and i was left feeling like I'm been forced into the feeling.

what really did me in the most, was the fact that Hwang was suppose to be renowned for her beauty, intelligence and artistic nature in both drawing and dancing, the movie only portrayed her as a beauty with some brains, there was any particular scene that made us go 'wow she's so smart' and the most damming of them all, no dancing.

the worst thing this movie did was being un-memorable, it was such a shame, as i expected it to be much better.

if anyone has the chance, skip this movie and watch the series, but if you want to watch both then watch the movie first, there is no way you can stand this movie if you've already seen the drama. one of the stupidest thing i did was go watch the drama first.

such a beautiful and touching movie! i was amazed how they presented an artist's heart, and an artist's calling. i enjoyed so much watching this movie and i appreciate the tenderness and deep understanding of artist's conditions, not only during that time, but in our times also. i am also a bit sad because not so many people understood the message of the movie. there is some criticism concerning some minor mistakes. anyhow, i would like to express my gratitude and to congratulate the team and the actors who played in this drama. there were no bad people. there were people who were hurt, there were people who sought for healing their souls. and the art, the pure and true art is able to do it. i believe in this message of the movie. thank you!

I decided to watch this movie solely because Hwang Jin-Yi was a famous person of my country's past. Also, I would be lying if I said I didn't watch it to see Song Hae-Gyo as the main role.

Unfortunately I was caught by these traps.

Firstly, if you are watching this movie in order to learn historic facts, don't bother. Almost half of the movie involves senseless fighting and unpleasant sensuality, while trying to immerse viewers into the absent plot line.

**TINY SPOILER** Clichés are existent. It's the same old thing: Two young friends are tragically split up because of an overly dominating father, the girl goes through physical/mental hardships (becoming a kisaeng) while the boy trains to fight enemies and ultimately to meet back with his childhood friend. **SPOILER END**

The first parts of the movie pathetically try to involve viewers emotionally by using children to enhance our pity for their tragic separation, and grab the attentions of fight-scene lovers by including a brutal battle scene. While these kept me interested in the short-term, I can't say the same about the rest of the film.

Some good points: What can I say about korean movie actors? Beautiful, accurate and gets-to-the-point expressions. Although this film was Song Hae-Gyo's first movie, she does an incredible job bringing up clear emotions according to the situation.

The atmosphere was excellent almost throughout the whole film. Dark, brutal and tense lighting keeps audiences suspenseful and wondering what terrible event will happen next. (Very similar to Sympathy for Lady Vengeance) The music is average, as it doesn't include memorable scene-music (like Old Boy did) but suited the situation alright.

Overall, in my opinion, this movie used korean must-know historic facts and famous actors to make people interested and to get them to watch it. This is not excellent, but not a disaster either. You may enjoy it if you're a fan of tragic love stories, but other than that, nothing is special here. 5/10