Title: Chunhyang (aka: The Story of Chun-Hyang) (2000)
Director: Im Kwon-Taek

Studio: New Yorker Video
Rating: R
Genre: Drama

Synopsis:
Chunhyang is about 300 years ago in Namwon in Chosun Dynasty. Now guess what happens to a young couple who had just met? Right! Romance! Director Im Gweon-Taek, in his movie Sopyonje, has pursued the traditional sound, music and soul of Korea.

Actually, this film's theme is based on a traditional Korean narrative song called "Chunhyang-ga" by Jo Sang-Hyeon, also nown as National Intangible Asset #5. The full length of Chunhyang-ga is five hours. The movie features the entire Jo Sang-Hyeon song, the mature directing of Im Gweon-Taek, and the comfortable direction of Jeong Il-Seong, director of photography. The movie may seem rather boring to some in the audience since the plot develops quite traditionally. Therefore, to many, the narrative song might sound like some vivid rhythm while others might have some difficulty sitting through it.

Based on the original script "Cho Sang-hyeon's Chang version Choon-hyang-ga "/First nominee in Competitive Section of the Canne International Film Festival

The 53rd Canne International Film Festival, nominated in Competitive Section/ The 37th Daejong Film Festival, Painting (Min Eon-ok), Judges' Special Award/Awards at the 5th Pusan Film Festival:Asian Movie Promotion Organization Award(Im Kweon-taek)

The times of King Suk-jong in Chosun dynasty.

Three months have passed since Mong-ryong moved to Namwon along his father who was appointed a mayor. He tired of his long-lasted study in his small room takes a walk to a tall building, Kwanhan-ru with his personal manservant, Bang-ja. In the Tano festival (on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month) the farmer's folk band plays under cheerful rhythms. Korean wrestling match by strong young men and swinging by beautiful girls are held here and there.

Among those pretty girls he finds out an exquisite lady and falls in love with her at the first sight. He urges Bang-ja to send for her and Bang-ja goes to her with his word, hinting she is a daughter of a retired Kisaeng (ancient intellectual barmaid) Wol-mae, Choon-hyang. When Choon-hyang listens to Bang-ja, she leaves behind her response of "the bird follows sea, the bee follows flower and the crab follows oyster" to him.

That means Mong-ryong should visit her in person. He, accordingly, goes to see her at night. Then he bares his hearts toward Choon-hyang to her mother, Wol-mae, and asks her to allow their union in the future.

Starring: Lee Hyo-Jeong, Cho Seung-Wu, Lee Jeong-Heon, Kim Seong Nyeo

taken from: http://www.dvdasian.com/cgi-bin/dvdasian/12029.html?id=vjn4QBA6

IMO:
thank goodness they never make the show to become 5 hours, otherwise really can die watching it man... the movie is okay, but i cannot stand that whiny guy's voice throughout... imagine he has to continue singing like that for 5 hours... pengz!

Rating:
3 out of 5 snoopys