Bichunmoo

Bichunmoo is a South Korean martial arts film written and directed by Kim Young-jun featuring Kim Hee-sun and Shin Hyun-june. Originally released in 2000, it was at the time the most expensive film in Korean history (an honour it soon lost to Musa).

In 12th-century China, during Mongol rule, childhood sweethearts Jin-ha and Sullie are separated but vow to reunite. Orphan Jin-ha begins training in the Bichun martial arts and discovers his father was a swordsman murdered by the Mongol army. Meanwhile Sullie's father, a Mongol general, arranges for her to marry a Mongol noble. Believing Jin-ha to be dead, Sullie marries the noble. Recovering from near-death, Jin-ha takes on the persona of bandit Jahalang, and begins an anti-Mongol crusade with the help of his army of warriors. Finally Jin-ha and Sullie are re-united, when Jin-ha's bandit warriors infiltrate Sullie's family manor.

Also Known As: Bicheonmoo, Bichunmoo, Heaven-Flying Dancing

Production Status: Released

Genres: Drama, Romance and Adaptation

MPAA Rating: Not Rated

Production Co.: Taewon Entertainment, Cinema Service Tera Source Venture, KDB Capital, China Film Co-production Corporation, Shanghai Film Studios

Filming Locations: China

Criticism

In spite of its financial success, the film was heavily criticised on its initial release in Korea, primarily due to its alleged disloyalty to the comic book on which it was based. Another argument given against the film was the casting choice of Kim Hee-sun, who was perceived as being too modern for a period swordplay film.

External links

• Bichunmoo at the Internet Movie Database