Put Korean skills together with gorgeous costumes, settings, and actors--then add a great director and three skillful actors in the leads--especially the talent of Jo In-Sung who can say more with his eyes and the gentle play of emotion across his face than most actors ever approach, and you have a great movie. It is sexy, thrilling, part love story part sword and martial arts and all intrigue. I disagree that the film is homophobic: the king's mistake plays out clearly. The theme is more about obsession on the king's part and resultant outcomes of jealousy, rage, and revenge. There is no question he is at fault: not for 'turning' the chief gay--but for setting up the entire tragedy himself and misunderstanding the power of love. If you want to keep your lover, find someone else to 'do the deed.'
Plot summary
The period is the late 14th century, and the last waning gasp of the centuries-old Goryeo Dynasty. As that regime comes to a bitter end thanks to the machinations of the Yuan Dynasty, The Goryeo king responds by organizing a military force known as Kunryongwe, led by the daunting commander Hong Lim. The leader captivates the king to an alarming degree - to such an extent, in fact, that he almost completely diverts the regent's attention away from his queen, leaving her with tremendous feelings of reluctance and hesitancy about this relationship. Meanwhile, the manipulativeness of the Yuan doubles: they unsuccessfully attempt to subvert the king by placing a threatening ruler in a high position, but the king - sensing this Machiavellian scheme - adamantly refuses, much to the consternation of the top-tiered Goryeo officials. The ruler also devises a complex and wickedly clever scheme to protect the Goryeo line for future generations by appointing Hong Lim to impregnate the queen and father a new ruler with her.
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Gorgeous and Tragic
Who with who?
I don't know if you can or rather are allowed to use the word screw other than in the context of using it with a screwdriver. So while foul language is not allowed here, I don't know to what extend that goes. And I say that because this movie dares to break borders and to openly show certain things. Not just nudity, but love between individuals that many would consider the devils work! Not to mention intercourse outside of marriage - even if one has a "higher" or even "noble" purpose.
Having said that and while this is more of a love story, there is also quite some action in this. It is more a character piece and drama (with hot steamy scenes thrown in between, forbidden love and all that),but it also delivers in the stunt and fight scenes! Not for everyone obviously, but more than well done, especially if you are into the period pieces and don't mind nudity
It's alright but nothing all that new even with the taboo elements
This movie is nothing all that new and the taboo part of this movie is what drives it. Although it has some sword fighting sequence than and there. And the fight sequences although isn't the major part of this movie is well done. The other elements in the movie besides the taboo aspect of the movie is interesting enough to be passable. So the king of Goryeo Dynasty has palace guards and is being suppressed by the Yuan Dynasty and is pressured to make a heir from the Yuan princess. And things go wrong from there on. This movie also features Ju Jin-mo and Jo In Sung, two of the popular actors in Korea. This movie has few disturbing parts but if it had a bit more originality it would have been better cause it has been done before. Maybe a bit of a different direction with some shock factor, cause overall it's actually quite predictable. This is a watchable movie but doesn't really stand out as much as it should have.
6.0/10