"Updating a Korean Folktale"
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| Nudity |
What You Need To Know:
CHUNHYANG has many wonderful moments in it. Despite the traditional, uplifting arc of the story, however, the director chooses to include a depicted sex scene between a naked Lee and Chunhyang on their marriage bed. Also, Chunhyang’s mother receives an answer to her prayer to the Korean gods, which gives the movie a strong pagan worldview, something that the Bible condemns. Those who take the Bible seriously will find such content very disturbing. Finally, CHUNHYANG is slow going at first because the movie includes a traditional sing-song presentation of the story by performer Cho Sang Hyun.
Content:
(PaPa, B, L, VV, SS, NN, A, M) Pagan worldview (including prayer to pagan deities) mitigated by some moral elements; several mild obscenities; some violence & brutality, such as evil governor has woman’s legs beaten with sticks to force her to renounce her husband & troops arrest & club corrupt officials; implied & depicted sex between married couple; upper & rear nudity; alcohol use; and, governmental tyranny, class system separates married couple & gambling.
More Detail:
CHUNHYANG updates a traditional Korean folktale by including a dash of sex, nudity and quirky humor.
In the story, Lee, the young son of a provincial governor, falls in love and secretly marries Chunhyang, the daughter of a courtesan or prostitute who serves the wealthy upper classes. At the same time, Lee is studying for the state exam that can propel him into the highest reaches of Korea’s feudal bureaucracy. When the emperor summons Lee’s father to Seoul to become a minister, Lee’s mother implores him to leave Chunhyang behind, lest he spoil his chances for taking the exam.
When the new governor finally arrives in Chunhyang’s province, however, he orders her to appear with the rest of the young courtesans, even though she lives as a free, married woman. When she refuses to become his courtesan because she is married, the new governor has her beaten severely. With each strike of the thin club upon her legs, Chunhyang’s defiance grows. A wife cannot serve two men, she says, nor a governor two kings, nor a servant two masters. Some time later, the new governor decides that he will execute Chunhyang after his birthday feast. Will Lee, who has by now passed the exam, remember his sacred vow in time to stop her execution?
CHUNHYANG is slow going at first because the movie includes a traditional sing-song presentation of the story by performer Cho Sang Hyun, who appears onstage in front of a live audience. Cho’s musical presentation is called pansori. At times, it adds a unique flavor to the movie, but at other times it becomes intrusive, especially when the subtitles include descriptive lyrics of things that the camera is already showing to viewers up there on the screen. This is a violation of Filmmaking 101. The movie has a huge emotional impact, however, when Chunhyang refuses to renounce her marriage, despite her beating. In the end, justice triumphs and goodness prevails. Also, it was fun to watch the little bits of humor that the director uses to enliven the story.
It’s hard to give this movie a negative rating. It has so many wonderful moments in it. Despite the traditional, uplifting arc of the story, however, the director chooses to include a depicted sex scene between a naked Lee and Chunhyang on their marriage bed. Also in the story, Chunhyang’s mother receives an answer to her prayer to the Korean gods, which gives the movie a strong pagan worldview, something that the Bible thoroughly condemns. Those who take the Bible seriously will find such content very disturbing, for good reason.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
