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Chunhyang (2000 film)
Encyclopedia
Chunhyang is a 2000 Korea
n film
, directed by Im Kwon-taek
and starring Lee Hyo-jeong and Jo Seung-woo
. It was entered into the 2000 Cannes Film Festival
.
, a traditional Korean form of storytelling that seeks to narrate through song. An earlier film by Im Kwon-taek, Sopyonje
, also used pansori as a narrative tool.
The film is based on Chunhyangga
, a traditional Korean legend and is set in 18th century Korea.
Two lovers, Mongryong and Chunhyang, the son of a nobleman governor and the daughter of a former courtesan, marry in secret. Ordered to Seoul to finish his education as a public servant, Mongryong leaves his bride behind but promises he will return. A new governor is appointed to the province and soon becomes attracted to Chunyang, making advances. Upholding her love for Mongryong, Chunhyang suffers imprisonment and torture in her commitment to her husband. Her only hope to be saved from death is the promise Mongryong made to return.
In addition to the Romeo-and-Juliet-esque tale, Chunhyang sheds light on the realities of premodern Korea. Chunyang explores the harsh differences in living between the yangban (nobles by birthright) and non-yangban, and the realities of morally corrupt officials and yes-men functionaries.
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, directed by Im Kwon-taek
Im Kwon-taek
Im Kwon-taek is one of South Korea's most renowned film directors. In an active and prolific career, his films have won many domestic and international film festival awards as well as considerable box-office success, and helped bring international attention to the Korean film industry.- Early life...
and starring Lee Hyo-jeong and Jo Seung-woo
Jo Seung-woo
Jo Seung-woo is a South Korean actor and musical star best known for his roles in Marathon and Tazza: The High Rollers.- Career :...
. It was entered into the 2000 Cannes Film Festival
2000 Cannes Film Festival
The 2000 Cannes Film Festival started on May 14 and ran until May 25. The Palme d'Or went to the Danish film Dancer in the Dark by Lars von Trier.-Jury:* Luc Besson, President * Jonathan Demme * Nicole Garcia...
.
Plot
The film is told through pansoriPansori
Pansori is a genre of Korean traditional music. It is a vocal and percussional music performed by one sorikkun and one gosu . The term pansori is derived from pan , and sori .- Overview :...
, a traditional Korean form of storytelling that seeks to narrate through song. An earlier film by Im Kwon-taek, Sopyonje
Sopyonje
Sopyonje is a South Korean film directed by Im Kwon-taek in 1993. Its story tells of a family of traditional Korean pansori singers trying to make a living in the modern world. The film was originally expected to only draw limited interest, and was released on only one screen in Seoul...
, also used pansori as a narrative tool.
The film is based on Chunhyangga
Chunhyangga
The Chunhyangga is the most famous Pansori in Korea. The Chunhyangga has delighted all Korean for a century. The Chunhyangga is the best Pansori as musically, literary, and a well-made play....
, a traditional Korean legend and is set in 18th century Korea.
Two lovers, Mongryong and Chunhyang, the son of a nobleman governor and the daughter of a former courtesan, marry in secret. Ordered to Seoul to finish his education as a public servant, Mongryong leaves his bride behind but promises he will return. A new governor is appointed to the province and soon becomes attracted to Chunyang, making advances. Upholding her love for Mongryong, Chunhyang suffers imprisonment and torture in her commitment to her husband. Her only hope to be saved from death is the promise Mongryong made to return.
In addition to the Romeo-and-Juliet-esque tale, Chunhyang sheds light on the realities of premodern Korea. Chunyang explores the harsh differences in living between the yangban (nobles by birthright) and non-yangban, and the realities of morally corrupt officials and yes-men functionaries.
See also
- List of Korea-related topics
- Korean mythologyKorean mythologyKorean mythology consists of national legends and folk-tales which come from all over the Korean Peninsula. Even within the same ethnic group, myths tend to have slightly different variations...
- List of Korean language films
- Korean cinema
External links
- Chunhyang website
- The Ch'unhyang Story - from the award-winning website Instrok.org, created by East Rock InstituteEast Rock InstituteEast Rock Institute is a nonprofit research and educational organization dedicated to "the enhancement and deepening of cultural understanding between Eastern and Western societies." Founded originally by Dr. Kwang Lim Koh and his wife Dr...