Where the original Story of Chunhyang (and earlier film adaptations of the folk tale) tells the story of the beautiful courtesan's daughter and the handsome nobleman who falls for her, in this retelling this classic love story takes on a new dimension.
Bang-ja has worked in servitude to Mongryong for many years. He's satisfied with his existence until one day he encounters a woman who changes his life forever. Both master and servant fall for the beautiful Chunhyang at first sight. However, due to his lack of status, Bang-ja is convinced he doesn't stand a chance against the aristocrat, Mongryong.
I have to say this retelling of the original folk tale was quite moving to watch.
Where Chunhyang (2000) is an upbeat, pure love story with likable characters all around, The Servant is a poignant story of long-suffering and sacrifice. It puts a more mature spin on the original story, and solicits a deeper emotional investment from the viewer.
Both films are great for different reasons. In Chunhyang I loved the feel good story of young lovers discovering each other for the first time as well as the skillful direction of the film by Im Kwon-Taek. In The Servant the hero's strait journey to be with the love of his life is what touched my heart.
He was a very sympathetic, worthy, if tragic, hero, portrayed superbly by actor Kim Ju Hyuk. Though powerless & trapped by his low class Bang-ja revealed himself to be the true noble, a man of honour, wisdom & sound character who, for the sake of love, suffered through much humiliation and hardship. A number of the supporting cast put in notable performances as well, in particular Oh Dal Su's In No, Bang-ja's compatriot & mentor. The Servant was also surprisingly modern in tone and mood. It took on a somewhat tongue-in-cheek approach towards its handling of sexuality. It may seem a bit contradictory to the period in which the film is set, but it worked somehow with the overall arc of the story.
In closing, I'd say both films are well worth a watch, though it's not mandatory to see one in order to understand the other. I'm giving The Servant a 10 (as I did Chunhyang) for its story & Kim Ju Hyuk's performance. The ending was beautiful and bittersweet. Just an overall enjoyable watch that I'd recommend to everyone.
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First, many are saying that this movie is a twist to the original "Story of Chunhyang," but personally, I have not watched that. You do not have to watch that movie to enjoy this one(trust me), but if you are planning to watch both, it's probably your best bet to watch the original one and then this one(twist) to fully enjoy BOTH movies.
My favorite character was of course the main lead, the tragic hero, Bang Ja. He is a servant who goes through much for his love for Chun Hyang, who his Master also falls for at first sight. See where things get complicated? Wait till you watch the end...
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While Chunhyang glorifies (for lack of better word) the female lead (her virtue, and you get an insight into cultural traditions and beautiful poetry), it is the lead male who is the hero in this story, and the full depth of that does not become evident until the very end.
The movie is easy to watch, LOVED the humor and liberal (western-like) scenes, but underneath is a superb moral story, and a worthy hero. While the female lead is not as 'pure' in this story (as in Chunhyang), she is more real, more realistic, and though flawed, still worth the love and admiration she receives (maybe even more so).
I thought Ryu Seung Beom's role was 'ehh...' until the turning point in the story - when his character still manages to surprise you; the waterfall scene replays in my mind from time to time and I'm still (2 weeks later) trying to figure him completely out.
The ending, to me, amazing (maybe because I didn't see it coming). Not because of what happens (ok, interesting, but not amazing), but how the main character explains himself and his true motivations. The light-hearted story becomes a tale of true character and wisdom. That was my personal experience, and I hope others experience it as well as it truly was a beautiful and touching story that I will certainly want to re-watch from time to time.
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thought i knew what i was getting into and it would be a love story where (as written in the description) the servant falls for the masters girl. so though the master would be ugly and the girl would be a new bride who is seduced by the servants good look and kind manner, as opposed to a oppressive, insensitive husband. not the case. there is a promissory note but no actual marriage. want to write there is love, but it's complex and not cut and dry.
the plot is - a story tellers angle, where the servant Bang-ja is telling his story, about how he meet and fell in love with Choon-hyang to a writer, but his objective isn't autobiographical, but a rewrite and glorification of his love Choon-hyang - who in the story will get her happily ever after with nobility, as opposed to reality. so in a sense this is the ultimate love story.
btw i tried to watch the movie CHUNHYANGDYUN (2000) that is the folktale that came out of this movie and after a few sec opted out as it was too slow paced and i was bored out of my mind. but after seeing this movie kind curious how the "story" came out. may give it another try...
side note - yeah there r nude scenes so if ur sensitive - skip this. as u can see that ain't the main factor, this really is well written and acted. otherwise the nude comment, wouldn't make just a side note in my POV.
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This review may contain spoilers
This movie has a lot of potential but wasn't executed very well. The comedy was good and was the acting as too but there's something that just feels incomplete when it ends. The biggest draw back or me personally is the chemisrty. Throughout the movie i kept asking myself does she really love him? Sometimes i would think she was just using him which is not very good thing to think in a romance. The acting from the ML is very good. SPOILER
i like sad endings but the only real thing i though when it ended was "is this it"? i think the fact that she was playing happily with the other man right before the incident is another strange thing to put in the movie. I still don't understand why he pushed her anyway.
overall it leaves you with a incomplete feeling when its over but its worth the watch.
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