Volcano High

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Volcano High

Volcano High promotional movie poster
Directed by Kim Tae-gyun
Written by Kim Tae-gyun
Seo Dong-heon
Starring Jang Hyuk
Shin Min-ah
Kim Su-ro
Kwon Sang-woo
Huh Jun-ho
Distributed by Cinema Service
Release date(s) December 5, 2001 (South Korea)
Running time 120 min. (original version)
Language Korean
IMDb profile
Korean name
Hangul 화산고
Hanja 火山高
Revised Romanization Hwasan'go
McCune-Reischauer Hwasan'go

Volcano High (Korean: 화산고, Hwasango) is a 2001 South Korean film in the same vein as Tenjho Tenge. It revolves around a troublemaking high school student named Kim Kyung-soo (portrayed by Jang Hyuk) who finds himself transferred to the last school that will take him, the prestigious Volcano High, an institution whose students display an incredible talent in martial arts, with a few demonstrating even more mysterious psychic powers; most notably Song Hak-rim (portrayed by Kwon Sang-woo). Kyung-Soo is drawn into fights between different clubs, a Manual that is told to hold great power, and a group of teachers that will do whatever possible to keep the students in line.

Contents

[edit] Cast

  • Jang Hyuk - Kim Kyung-Soo: Main character whose powers caused him to get kicked out of school. Volcano High is the last school that will accept him.
  • Shin Min-a - Yoo Chae-Yi: Nicknamed and described as "Icy Jade". Captain of the Kendo team and love interest of Kyung-Soo.
  • Kim Su-ro - Jang Ryang: Nicknamed "Dark Ox". Leader of the Dark Oxen and captain of the weight-lifting team. One of the most powerful and feared fighters at Volcano High.
  • Kwon Sang-woo - Song Hak-rim: Described as "Elegant Crane in a Pine Forest". The most powerful martial artist in Volcano High. He is imprisoned after being framed by Jang Ryang for trying to steal the Manuscript.
  • Kong Hyo-jin - So Yo-seon: Described as "Single Hearted". Admirer of Song Hak-rim and co-captain of the Kendo team.
  • Kim Hyeong-jong - Shimma: Captain of the rugby union team.
  • Huh Jun-ho - Mr. Ma: Leader of the 5 Teachers who are sent to discipline the students. He has a history with Kyung-Soo.
  • Byeon Hee-bong - Vice Principal Jang Hak-Sa: Enlists the help of the 5 teachers and is angry due to the fact he isn't the principal.

[edit] Prologue

17 years of feuding, sparked by the Great Teacher's Battle, has stripped authorities of their power, as self-indulgence, disguised as self-control, grips the student body. The schools have fallen into disarray. However, there is a legend. The one who acquires the Secret Manuscript will end the chaos. It is a legend that disrupts the Martial Court of Volcano High. Now, in the 108th year of Volcano....

[edit] American Version

The American version of the film was done by MTV featuring popular Hip-Hop Artists such as Snoop Dogg, Method Man, Lil' Jon, Big Boi, and Mýa. This version is considered to be inferior to the original. The cast follows as thus.

This MTV altered version of the film was aired only one time on the network after promptly being decreed by fans as being a blatant attempt to rip off the popular TV series known as "Kung Faux" that was already airing on MTV's rival network music channel known as "FUSE".

Rumors have circulated that a confidential multi-million dollar class action lawsuit was settled between the producers of the "Kung Faux" franchise, MTV, and the people behind the copyright offending MTV production of Volcano High after its immediate banishment from the TV airwaves.

[edit] Differences Between the Korean and American Version

American Korean
Nearly 30 minutes edited out with scenes rearranged to a running time of nearly 80 minutes. The movie is much longer with 122 minutes.
The main plot involves 5 teachers who are sent to discipline the students. While this plot is still in the Korean version, the main plot is actually about a manuscript that is told to hold great power. Many want to know its location while the 5 teacher plot is actually a subplot.
Kyung-Soo is portrayed as a day-dreamer and his recurring dream is about a girl who he meets in the forest. This girl is actually Shimma's fraternal twin sister and she sends him into the forest to seduce him to play rugby.
So Yo-seon is Song Hak-rim's girlfriend. So Yo-seon merely admires Hak-rim from a distance while writing letters he would never get to read.
Jang Ryang and Yoo Chae-Yi used to date, but Chae-Yi then dumped him and Ryang hopes to get back together. The two never were together and Jang Ryang only revealed his feelings for her.
The music featured is popular Hip-Hop music released around the time this version came out. The music is mostly Rock.
Volcano High is said to be located in the mountains of Kim Tae-gyun The location of Volcano High is never revealed and there is no such mountain called Kim Tae-gyun. This is actually the name of the director.
Kyung-Soo willingly gives up his endurance contest with Jang Ryang and accidentally loses his fight with Jang Ryang Kyung-Soo remembers his mother, father, and sister telling him to restrain himself during both of these incidents.

[edit] Manhwa

There is also a manhwa set before the movie called "Volcano High Prelude". It was distributed in the United States by Media Blasters

[edit] External links