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'King's Letters' director denies history distortion allegation
From left, actor Park Hae-il, director Jo Chul-hyun, and actors Jeon Mi-seon and Song Kang-ho pose during a news conference to promote “The King's Letters” at Mega Box Dongdaemun in Seoul, June 25. / Yonhap
By Kang Hyun-kyung
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Jo Chul-hyun, director of “The King's Letters” which deals with the backstory behind the invention of the Korean alphabet_ Hangeul_ denied accusations that his film distorted history.
In the film which premiered in local theaters July 24, Buddhist monk Shinmi ― not King Sejong ― is depicted as a key figure behind the creation of the distinctive alphabet.
“We never attempted or tried to belittle or downplay King Sejong regarding his role in the creation of the Korean alphabet,” Jo said in a statement released on Monday.
“Rather, our film has put an emphasis on the process of how the Korean alphabet was created. We tried to dramatize King Sejong's toil, pain and determination to invent Hangeul which came at the expense of his health, particularly later on his life. We focused on portraying him as a pioneering monarch who explored an unprecedented thing and dramatized the way he rose to become a great leader.”
Jo said his film didn't spotlight the Buddhist monk as a key figure behind the creation of the alphabet.
“To dramatize what was inside King Sejong's mind during the invention of the local alphabet, we needed a character who could personify the King's complex feelings. We learned that there was a Buddhist monk who existed, and met all the conditions. His character was chosen against this backdrop.”
Jo said he tried to explain what had been going on before alphabet was unveiled.
“The invention of the Korean alphabet first appeared in December 1443 in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty and before that no historical records existed.”
He went on to say that the time vacuum convinced him that the Buddhist monk was a probable figure who held the key to the time before and after the invention.
His statement came amid criticism that “The King's Letters” is a misleading historical film because it tells a story different from that Koreans are taught.
The role of Ven. Shinmi in the creation of the alphabet has been circulated among Buddhists for centuries. Those who are familiar with this alleged that Jo, who is also a Buddhist, might have wanted to educate the public with the lesser known theory, through the film.
It is not certain whether or not such a backlash played a part in the film's relatively disappointing start. The film has sold 760,000 tickets since last Wednesday when it hit local theaters. “The King's Letters” came in third at the local box office in terms of average daily admissions following “The Lion King” and “Aladdin.”
“The King's Letters” has faced a triple whammy.
The movie became entangled in an unwanted tragedy weeks before it hit local theaters because of the death of actress Jeon Mi-seon.
Jeon, who played Queen Soheon, the wife of King Sejong, was found dead at a hotel in the southwestern city of Jeonju on June 29. She is believed to have committed suicide because of depression.
In the wake of her death, more bad news came. “The King's Letters” was embroiled in a legal battle. The local publishing house Nanok filed a complaint against the film, requesting the court ban its screening. The publishing house claimed Cho, the production and the distribution companies didn't get a permit to shoot the film based on its book “The Road to Huminjungeum (Korean alphabet): Reviewing Ven. Shinmi.”
The book revolves around the Buddhist monk who allegedly created the Korean alphabet.
The history distortion accusations surfaced after the film was unveiled to the public.