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The Concubine

Original title: Hoo-goong: Je-wang-eui cheob
  • 2012
  • Unrated
  • 2h 2m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
2.8K
YOUR RATING
Cho Yeo-jeong in The Concubine (2012)
A tragic love triangle story between Hwa-Yeon, a daughter of a nobleman, her true love Kwon-Yoo, a servant and the man who will be King, Prince Sungwon.
Play trailer1:26
1 Video
64 Photos
Period DramaTragic RomanceDramaHistoryRomance

A tragic love triangle story between Hwa-Yeon, a daughter of a nobleman, her true love Kwon-Yoo, a servant and the man who will be King, Prince Sungwon.A tragic love triangle story between Hwa-Yeon, a daughter of a nobleman, her true love Kwon-Yoo, a servant and the man who will be King, Prince Sungwon.A tragic love triangle story between Hwa-Yeon, a daughter of a nobleman, her true love Kwon-Yoo, a servant and the man who will be King, Prince Sungwon.

  • Director
    • Kim Dae-seung
  • Writers
    • Kim Dae-seung
    • Yoon-Jung Hwang
    • Mi-jung Kim
  • Stars
    • Cho Yeo-jeong
    • Kim Dong-wook
    • Kim Min-joon
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    2.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Kim Dae-seung
    • Writers
      • Kim Dae-seung
      • Yoon-Jung Hwang
      • Mi-jung Kim
    • Stars
      • Cho Yeo-jeong
      • Kim Dong-wook
      • Kim Min-joon
    • 11User reviews
    • 17Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 3 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:26
    Official Trailer

    Photos64

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    Top cast16

    Edit
    Cho Yeo-jeong
    Cho Yeo-jeong
    • Shin Hwa-yeon
    Kim Dong-wook
    Kim Dong-wook
    • Prince…
    Kim Min-joon
    Kim Min-joon
    • Kwon-Yoo
    Park Ji-young
    Park Ji-young
    • Queen Mother
    Jung Chan
    • Former King
    Park Choong-seon
    Park Choong-seon
    • Seung Jun Saek
    Park Chul-min
    Park Chul-min
    • Pil-Woon - Pharmacy Eunuch
    Jo Eun-ji
    Jo Eun-ji
    • Geum-ok
    Oh Hyun-kyung
    Oh Hyun-kyung
    • Yoon Gi-hun
    Oh Ji-hye
    Oh Ji-hye
    • Lady Park
    Jo Ki-wang
    • Yoon Jong-ho
    • (as Ki-Wang Jo)
    Hong Kyeong-Yeon
    • Court Lady Kim
    Lee Kyoung-young
    Lee Kyoung-young
    • Chief Eunuch Kim Gye-Joo
    Ahn Suk-hwan
    Ahn Suk-hwan
    • Officer Shin Ik-Chul - Hwa-Yeon's Father
    Jo Wan-gi
    • Vice-Premier Yoon Jong-Ho
    • (as Wan-gi Jo)
    Hong Yeo-jin
    • Court Lady in Suragan
    • Director
      • Kim Dae-seung
    • Writers
      • Kim Dae-seung
      • Yoon-Jung Hwang
      • Mi-jung Kim
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews11

    6.02.8K
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    Featured reviews

    samsblood

    This is not an erotic film

    The previous reviewer dwelled on the penis thing and the erotic aspect of this film, but I think he, along with many others, missed the point. It's partly the fault of the advertising campaign, which I understand emphasized Jo YeoJung's (as well as other actors') nude scenes -- but I don't know how anyone can still retain the impression that this movie is an erotic bodice-ripper after actually watching it. This is a dark, perilous journey through the obsessions and grudges of people who cannot stop running lest they fall behind, and the sweat is all of the cold kind.

    The said scenes involving nudity and sexuality are not in the least erotic, nor did I find Kim DongWook's reaction to the coitus-by-the-book(literally) as the hapless young king at all comedic, intentionally or otherwise; rather he did a fine job of assaying a pathetic and desperate character trapped in an intolerable situation, and his mental near-collapse was almost palpable. And the supporting characters' stories did not interfere with the unfolding of the main plot for me -- they were not subplots so much as back stories for the characters' motivations, and served to flesh out, not complicate, the plot.

    Aside from the mostly fine direction and the acting -- which latter ranged from decent (in a few cases) to very good (mostly) -- for me the art direction and cinematography were particular standouts. While most historical epics tend to emphasize sumptuous costumes and the splendor of the architecture and ornamentation, this movie did the opposite; while it is visually rich in its own, gloom-laden way, everything in it is in dark, muted colors as if it were dyed with tea, the ladies wear little jewelry and the sets are kept very lean, to sometimes very striking, almost expressionistic, effect, as when HwaYeon's maid is assigned new, better quarters of her own after catching the King's eye, but the room is entirely empty, and the woman is shown laughing in semi-hysterical self-congratulation on a tiny mat on an otherwise bare floor.

    There are many, many scenes shot at very close range, often lit by simulated candlelight at night, creating an overall claustrophobic feel that visually replicates the suffocating atmosphere of the intrigue-riddled court these people endured. Fittingly, the scenes of violence are presented suddenly and starkly, with minimal cues in the soundtrack, which makes them all the more shocking yet realistic.

    While not exactly a masterpiece, this movie is a well-thought out and well-executed production, much superior to the kind of titillating fluff it is made out to be by some. It definitely deserves a thoughtful watch.
    8kosmasp

    Intriguing ...

    One might say there is a pun in my summary line ... maybe even two. That aside, the movie is really tight when it comes on the story. It is quite fast paced all things considering and especially if you think about how much it does pack in.

    Concubine may suggest some erotic encounters - and if that is what you think and expect you will not be dissapointed entirely. Just do not expect this to be focused on that. The scenes of sexual nature have a meaning to the story and to the characters. They also move along the story or plot lines.

    Having said that, I guess this was discovered in the West because of the main actress being a part of Parasite. This goes to show you, there is much to find in Korean cinema that we haven't yet had a chance to view yet.

    You may not like how characters act and what they decide to do. The questions if we couldn't just love each other instead of being so suspicious towards each other ... well you wouldn't have this tension filled movie otherwise now would you?
    8Uriah43

    Murder and Deceit in the Choson Dynasty

    Set during the Choson Dynasty this film involves a young prince by the name of "Sungwon" (Dong-wook Kim) falling in love with a nobleman's daughter named "Hwa-Yeon" (Heo-heong Jo). Unfortunately, although she knows of Prince Sunwon's attraction for her, she has fallen in love with another young man by the name of "Kwon-Yoo" (Min-Joon Kim) instead. So one night, overcome by their devotion to each other, both Hwa-Yeon and Kwon-Yoo make the fateful decision to run away together rather than abide by custom or family tradition. Unfortunately, after sleeping together that night, they are caught the next morning and in a desperate effort to spare Kwon-Yoo's life, Hwa-Yeon tells her father that she will now consent to become Prince Sungwon's concubine. What she doesn't know is that, although her father agrees to spare his life, as a penalty for shaming the family Kwon-Yoo is castrated that very night. To make things even worse, when she arrives at the palace the "Queen Mother" (played by Ji-Young Park) takes an immediate dislike to her and does everything in her power to reduce Hwa-Yeon's status there from that point on. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that I was very impressed at the overall depth of this movie as the plot was extremely intricate and the acting was first-rate as well. Be advised, however, that there are a couple of very graphic sex scenes which definitely precludes this picture from being seen by a younger audience. Be that as it may, I thoroughly enjoyed this film and have rated it accordingly.
    9billcr12

    Korean Mama Sutra

    Yeo Jeong Cho displays her body in a few surprisingly graphic sex scenes in Kama Sutra like positions. The story is a Borgia type one with an evil queen who rules with ruthlessness to further her control. Her son has no power and his queen, played by Cho, makes attempts to save her father and keep her son safe from the scheeming queen. The scenery is gorgeous and the film a great one.
    3phd_travel

    Hard to follow the story got lost fast

    Things jump quickly from one thing to another and it was hard to follow what was going on. Felt like a series on fast forward. Just couldn't keep up with the different characters. Why they did what they did isn't explained well.

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    Storyline

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    • Trivia
      "The Concubine" was the 11th most watched Korean film of 2012.

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    FAQ17

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 6, 2012 (South Korea)
    • Country of origin
      • South Korea
    • Official sites
      • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Language
      • Korean
    • Also known as
      • Hậu Cung
    • Filming locations
      • South Korea
    • Production companies
      • HwangKiSung Films
      • Lotte Entertainment
      • My Way Film Company Limited
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross worldwide
      • $16,465,764
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      2 hours 2 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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