A lovely tale with an unfortunate soundtrack

Two lovers struggle in 'Chunhyang'

By Paul Tatara
CNN.com Reviewer

(CNN) -- Im Kwon Taek's "Chunhyang" is a sumptuously staged and photographed romance set in 18th century Korea that's visually striking enough to keep you watching, despite a story-telling approach that may leave viewers at the end of their wits.

Taek tells his traditional tale, about a student-writer's desperate love for the daughter of a lowly courtesan, in Korean pansori style, in which a singer chants, groans, moans, and yelps the narrative to an accompanying drumbeat. The vocals (by Cho Sang Hyun, a master of the form) are fascinating for a while, but they're so over-utilized, you may start praying for Hyun to shut up and let the images and dialogue do their own work.

Cho Seung Woo is Mongryong, the privileged son of the governor of Namwon. Mongryong, a brilliant writer, is studying for an important, apparently life-changing exam. One day, he leaves his books behind to view the local sights, a decision that vastly alters the focus of his attentions. Director Taek displays the Korean countryside in bright, flaming colors. Majestic peaks rise through the distant mist; at one point, snowfall takes on an almost mystical aura. The vision that most impresses Mongryong, however, is of the human variety.

Chunhyang (Lee Hyo Jung) is the gorgeous, sharp-witted daughter of a local courtesan. She, too, is a talented writer. Unlike her friends, she's headstrong and isn't looking for a man to take care of her. Mongryong first glimpses her as she stands on a swing, rising above, then dropping below, the tree line. Though his servant (a mugging, ill-advised comic relief character) tells him that Chunhyang will rebuff his advances, Mongryong finds her house and asks for her hand in marriage. After some hesitation, Chunhyang accepts the proposal. The loveliest moment in the story is when Mongryong paints a series of symbols that represent his never-ending devotion on Chunhyang's skirt.

Mongryong keeps the nuptials a secret from his family; his parents would be furious if they found out he married beneath his station. Though Chunhyang is a talented, upstanding woman, the daughter of a courtesan is forever viewed as a courtesan herself. Personal bearing -- and, in Chunhyang's case, writing ability -- has nothing to do with it.

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Like so many stories in Western literature, the plot revolves around a particular society's restrictions against true love. It's not the most complex thing you've ever seen, and the perfunctory dialogue does nothing to alleviate the problem. You're either going accept that you're getting a visual representation of what amounts to a simple folk tale, or you'll be looking for something weightier to keep you emotionally tied to the storyline.

Eventually, Mongryong is forced to leave his love behind when his father is given a new job in a different province. A despicable new governor comes to power during Mongryong's three-year absence, and he's got his eye on Chunhyang.

But honorable Chunhyang says she will not serve "two kings," and that's when things get excessively nasty. Though he's been studying and taking his all-important tests, it seems like Mongryong could have dropped by for a visit at some point during his 36-month absence. It sure would have saved everybody a lot of hassle, but the rousing final act would have also been scuttled.

If you're a sucker for ethereal simplicity, you may very well love this movie. It should be stated again, though, that that pansori singer might drive you up a wall. Many viewers will pretend he isn't intruding, because open disdain will make them seem low-brow.

But not wanting to hear him whoop and growl this tender tale when we can just as easily grasp it on our own is no different than not wanting to hear John Coltrane blow tenor throughout a love story. It doesn't mean you don't grasp the performer's artistry. It's odd that such a simple story is so seldom aided by silence.

"Chunhyang" contains nudity, sex, and a surprisingly violent interlude near the end. Not rated (though an R would certainly be in order). 120 minutes. In Korean with English subtitles.

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