Korean Title: 쌍화점

Origin and release year: South Korea (2008)

Starring: Jo In Sung, Song Ji Hyo, Song Joong Ki, Ju Jin Mo, Cho Jin Woong, Shim Ji Ho, Hong Jong Hyun

Warning: This review contains spoilers!

Firstly, I have to point out that I think that there was an element of grooming in the storyline, which makes it slightly uncomfortable to the modern viewer to think about. However, I don’t know what the norm in Korean history was at the time, so I’ll refrain from commenting more on that.

I was pleasantly surprised by how great the music was. It really made an impression on me. Both Song Ji Hyo and Ju Jin Mo had melodic voices.

Other than that I think the acting was stellar and that the actors proved their versatility through realistic historical characters.

Much like most tragic period pieces that come out of Korea, this one was beautiful and melancholic.

The double-edged love story was gripping and had one morally conflicted on how to feel about it and who to root for. It made you feel something, which all successful films should.

I found it interesting how the king entrusted his lover with impregnating the queen only to push them into an attraction towards each other. He unknowingly pushed his lover into the arms of he wife, but also broke the power and control that he had over both of them.

The rest of the film shows an intriguing power struggle coupled with a theme of loss and betrayal. The power dynamics are extremely well-written. Although, I found the way that the king took back his power extremely vulgar.

There were a few shocking elements in the film but each of them added to the story.

What did you think of A Frozen Flower?