Korean title: 기방도령

Origin and release year: South Korea (2019)

Starring: 2PM Jun Ho, Jung So Min, Choi Gwi Hwa, Gong Myung, Ye Ji Won, Jeon No Min, Lee Il Hwa, Cho Yi Hyun, Kim Dong Young

Warning: This article contains spoilers!!!

I think this film was quite progressive considering that it was based during the Joseon Dynasty. It is honestly one of the most feminist pieces of film I have seen come out of Korea (definitely in the top 5), that challenges gender roles and the expectations on women in Korean society.

It tells the story of women who struggle between their instincts and the expectation to be virtuous, but also tells the story of a man born to a gisaeng who becomes a gisaeng himself.

By taking on a job that is usually reserved for women, he not only challenged the status quo during a profoundly conservative time but he also became an advocate for women’s voices.

I really loved the scene where 2PM JunHo’s character called out the men in their village for always having multiple concubines and affairs but expecting their wives to stay loyal and virtuous. The desperation in the scene was heartbreaking and his performance throughout the film was brilliant.

Other than that, I really enjoyed the comedic elements and the way that they mixed modern pop culture references into the Joseon script.

The unconventional love story was also very cute. I loved how the story stayed realistic and true to the choices they really would’ve made in that era.

The way that Jung SoMin’s character finally got closure on their relationship in the end though the portrait was also heartrendingly beautiful.

What did you think of Homme Fatale?