[A Look Back on Korea's 'Cheonman Movie' #9] 'Gwanghae, The Man Who Became King'

by Ra Hwak Jin / Cha Min Kyung

[Episode 9] 'Gwanghae, The Man Who Became King' (2012 Directed by Choo Chang-min)

▲ This photo, provided by the Korean Film Council, shows the movie poster for "Gwanghae, The Man Who Became King." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

"Gwanghae, The Man Who Became King" (hereinafter referred to as 'Gwanghae') released in September 2012 was directed by Choo Chang-min and attracted 12.31 million viewers, making it the ninth highest-grossing film or the so-called 'Cheonman' movie in Korean film history.

The premise behind this historical genre film comes from a line written in the "Veritabel Records of the Joseon Dynasty," which are annals comprised of books on the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. The specific line which reads, "One must not publish records that he wishes to hide" is said to have prompted the writer's imagination for "Gwanghae." The movie, which is set during the ruling of the 15th Joseon king, Gwanghae, tells the story of Ha-sun, a peasant who looks exactly like Gwanghae, switching places with the king when he faces the threat of being poisoned. 

 

 

▲ The stars of the new movie "Gwanghae, The man who became King" -- Lee Byung-hun, Ryu Seung-ryong, Han Hyo-joo and Kim In-kwon (L to R) -- attend a publicity event in Seoul on Aug. 13, 2012. The movie, which depicts the story of a peasant who identically resembles the king, and comes to switch places with the king who is in danger of an assassination plot, will appear on South Korean screens in September. (Yonhap)

Top actor Lee Byung-hun plays dual roles as King Gwanghae and Ha-sun while Ryu Seung-ryong plays the role of chief secretary Heo Gyun, who leads Ha-sun to become the king.

Actress Han Hyo-joo, who had risen in stardom after starring in popular historical drama "Dong Yi," acts as Queen Consort Yoo who becomes conflicted between the real and fake king's secret. Actor Kim Myung-gon, who also served as Korea's Minister of Culture and Tourism, returned to the screens after 10 years for the role Park Chung-seo, an interior minister who is at odds with the king and tries to find out his secret.

In addition, actress Shim Eun-kyung, who was recognized for her performance as the main character in the comedy movie "Sunny," plays the role of Sa-wol, who is a court lady of King Gwanghae.

◇ Lee Byung Hun successfully pulls off two roles in his first historical drama film

▲ South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun, who stars in the new movie "Gwanghae, The Man Who Became King," poses for a photo in Seoul on Sept. 4, 2012. The movie, which depicts the story of a peasant who looks like the king switches places with the regent who is in danger from an assassination plot, will appear on South Korean screens on Sept. 19. (Yonhap)

Lee, who recently starred in popular Netflix drama "Squid Game," challenged his first historical fiction film in 20 years since his debut with "Gwanghae." The actor, who was involved in Hollywood blockbusters like "G.I. Joe," said in an interview that director Choo asked him not to build a muscular body for the film, which made Lee turn his six-pack into a one-pack.

At the time of the film's release, there were mixed opinions about Lee's acting. Some commented that Ha-sun's comic acting did not suit Lee who typically takes on charismatic roles, as well as others who said that the actor did not look like someone in the lowest class of society.

However, it is inevitable to talk about this movie without mentioning Lee who alternately plays both Gwanghae and Ha-sun.

When Ha-sun takes over Gwanghae's position as king, Lee cleverly pulls off the transition between his two characters. Lee doesn't act exactly like Ha-sun's original frivolous personality as it would be too obvious that his character is the fake king, but also doesn't become too serious all of a sudden just because Ha-sun becomes king overnight which makes the actor's acting seem more realistic.

While projecting his natural noble, king-like image, Lee also shows his playful and silliness that should come out of a normal low-class acrobat at the time.

The 51-year-old actor recently appeared on SNL Korea and showed off his playful side as well.

 

 

▲ Choo Chang-min, the director of the movie "Gwanghae, The Man Who Became King," poses for a photo in Seoul on Oct. 14, 2012. The movie, which depicts the story of a peasant who looks like the king and switches places with him, was released in South Korea on Sept. 19. (Yonhap)

However, Lee was not cast as the main character from the beginning of the movie. Previously, director Kang Woo-suk was mentioned to direct the film while actor Jung Jae-young was chosen for the lead role at the time. After director Choo became in charge, the current cast members were confirmed to star in the movie.

 

◇ "Gwanghae" released ahead of the presidential election 
 

It is hard to deny that the movie was part of a political trend as it was released three months before the presidential election in Korea.

There were also comments that certain scenes from the movie were reminiscent of former liberal President Roh Moo-hyun such as when Ha-sun is angered by the government officials rejecting his attempts to reform and make the nation prosperous or when he protects his wife after his courtiers request to dethrone the Queen.
 

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who previously served as senior secretary to Roh Moo-hyun and then-candidate for the Democratic United Party in the 2012 presidential election, was seen wiping tears with a handkerchief for four to five minutes after watching the movie with current first lady Kim Jung-sook, the director, and production team.

 

▲ This photo shows President Moon Jae-in wiping tears after watching "Gwanghae, The Man Who Became King" on Oct. 12, 2012. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

The next day, when asked about the reasons behind his tears, Moon said, "There were many scenes and lines that reminded me of former President Roh Moo-hyun and the days when I worked with him."

 

 

It is hard to deny that the movie was part of a political trend as it was released three months before the presidential election in Korea.

There were also comments that certain scenes from the movie were reminiscent of former liberal President Roh Moo-hyun such as when Ha-sun is angered by the government officials rejecting his attempts to reform and make the nation prosperous as well as protects his wife when his courtiers' request to dethrone the Queen.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who previously served as senior secretary to Roh Moo-hyun and then-candidate for the Democratic United Party in the 2012 presidential election, was seen wiping tears with a handkerchief for four to five minutes after watching the movie with current first lady Kim Jung-sook, the director, and production team.

The next day, when asked about the reasons behind his tears, Moon said, "There were many scenes and lines that reminded me of former President Roh Moo-hyun and the days when I worked with him."

At that time, South Korean politician Ahn Cheol-soo, who ran as an independent candidate for the presidential elections, also watched the movie.

Film critic Jeon Chan-il said, "The movie was released at a great time," adding, "What the people want from the next selected presidential candidate and the path we want to move forward to is exemplified in this film," while explaining the reason for the movie's success.

However, as Moon lost narrowly to former President Park Geun-hye from that year's presidential elections, CJ E&M which produced the film had reportedly suffered politically.

It was later found out during an investigation process that Park had met with chairman Sohn Kyung-shik of CJ Group in 2014 to complain that CJ Group's broadcasting and film business to be heavily left-leaning.

Meanwhile, TV channel tvN, run by CJ E&M, has remade the film into a drama in 2019, since the start of the current government.

 

 

(END)

 

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