Sunsu-ui sidae

I honestly watched this film because of Jang Hyuk. He played a supporting roll in this dark film, but it was still worth the watch for me. This vengeance film was both dark and hyper- sexual. Despite that, there was a sad love story intertwined with a war story that some viewers might find interesting.

I'm huge fan of Ha-kyun Shin since I saw him in Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance. I've seen most of his work and this wouldn't be the best part of it. Especially that usually Koreans know how to make an exciting historical drama. Although I'm not a big fan of this genre quite a few times I was really impressed with the way they approach history. Ha-kyun Shin is a sold actor but he doesn't seem to get much support from anyone else. Overall it is still worth seeing as at times it get pretty interesting when you realize how difficult it was to survive at the court with everyone around you playing their own games.

Probably more graphic than I usually care for, but not a deal breaker. Because there is definitely a beautiful love story, and the ending is quite moving.

Apart from the grand looking production this unpleasant movie is full of unlikeable characters. The taking of the throne by a bypassed son could have been interesting but what they chose to show wasn't interesting. Throwing in some rape and unattractive love scenes didn't help. Didn't feel for the lead characters.

Watching this movie is like watching a play, not a amazing Shakespeare type of play but a decent one. That involves greed, jealousy, betrayal, vengeance and lust. To be honest I would have been bored watching this in theaters, but if I saw it while flipping through the channels it would have been a alright watch. The story isn't very coherent and it doesn't flow very well when it comes to the context of the plot. It's basically like watching one of those historical Korean dramas except with nudity and a lot of blood. It's just not a very stand out movie and can be easily forgotten. This would have been a television movie if it was made in the U.S. The acting was mediocre at best with performances that works for the most part but nothing groundbreaking. Even Jang Hyuk who is a actor I actually like just chuckled all the way through it (when you see this film you will know what I mean). The love and lust aspect of this movie is the main thing going on in the story but the political parts of this film just felt like it was thrown in there and made the whole thing drag on. Despite it playing a somewhat pivotal part near the end, but it's just really boring to sit through. Because there is almost nothing interesting about that banter and it's just doesn't come off as something important when it comes to the story. Overall, this is a alright TV watch but that is about it.

5/10