Lee Gyu-lee is a business writer at The Korea Times, focusing primarily on IT & telecommunications, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA. Prior to this, she has covered a wide range of cultural news, from film, television and K-pop to lifestyle and fashion.
King befriends serf-turned-inventor in period film 'Forbidden Dream'
Actor Choi Min-sik, from left, director Hur Jin-ho and actor Han Suk-kyu pose for pictures during a press conference for the historical drama “Forbidden Dream” at Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Monday. Yonhap
By Lee Gyu-lee
Director digs into whereabout of king's buddy after punishment
By Lee Gyu-lee
Two prolific actors Han Suk-kyu and Choi Min-sik teamed up 20 years after the box office hit film “Shiri,” to show a very unusual friendship between a king and an inventor with humble beginnings in the upcoming period drama film “Forbidden Dream.”
The film unfolds a story of the historical figure King Sejong (1397-1450) ― fourth king of the 1392-1910 Joseon Kingdom ― and his relationship with the genius inventor Jang Yeong-sil (Choi). Han plays the king who is highly respected, to this day, for his scholarship in various fields and instituting the Korean alphabet “Hangeul” during his reign.
Jang was an engineer and inventor who was credited with creating several technologically advanced devices such as the celestial globe, the water clock and rain gauge while working for King Sejong. His rise to chief royal engineer was a drama that was hardly likely to happen in his time. He was a slave. King Sejong discovered his talent and placed him in the position.
“The hierarchical gap between the king and a peasant is unimaginably enormous. So I thought it would be interesting to tell the story of how those two became true friends,” director Hur Jin-ho said during a press conference for the film, Monday, at Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.
King Sejong's chronicles record Jang working closely with the king until he disappeared after he was blamed for the breakdown of the king's wooden carriage, which he invented. There is no mention of the inventor in the records since he was punished.
The director, whose previous works include "Christmas in August" (1998) and "Dangerous Liaisons" (2012), said he started writing the story from the curiosity about the inventor's post-punishment whereabouts which is missing from historical books.
“King Sejong kept talented people by his side, and he particularly mentioned Jang as one of his confidants. This is because he is an important figure who helped Joseon measure and keep track of time and opened up the sky with the devices he created,” he said. “So the film started with the question, how could such a genius scientist like him suddenly disappear from history?”
Based on the historical facts, he said he filled in the blanks with imagination to cinematize the story.
A scene from the film which tells a story of a friendship between King Sejong and inventor Jang Yeong-sil. Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment
The flick starts in the year of the incident and pulls back to the time when the king and Jang first met. The story puts less emphasis on the achievements the two accomplished, unlike most of the previous films on the figures.
Instead, it fills the 130 minutes with the companionship and deep trust the two formed as they pull in the same direction for the independence of Joseon from the pressure of the Chinese emperor.
In one scene, the king tells Jang, “But I do have you as a friend.” Referring to that line, Han defined their relationship in the film as companions.
Han previously played King Sejong in the 2011 TV series “Tree With Deep Roots.” Although the series didn't include Jang, he said he had thought if the king had a friend, it would probably be Jang Young-sil. “I'm pleased to cover a story on their relationship through this film.”
Best known for his lead role in the award-winning film “Oldboy” (2003), actor Choi noted that his main goal was to show Jang's loyalty and adoration towards the king. “It's a huge pleasure to have someone who notices me. So for Jang, the highest figure in the country recognizes his ability and allows him to freely do whatever he wants,” he said, adding that he tried to express Jang's innocent, pure joy and affection to the person who gave him an opportunity.
When a film is based on historical facts, it is often viewed with strict standards by the audiences, for any possible distortion of history. Regarding such concerns, the cast and the director emphasized although the film is based on fact, it also is a work of creation.
“I believe the purpose of making historical films is to show a reinterpretation (of history) by those producing them,” Choi said. “This is an ancient tale that Han, Choi and director Hur is telling. So I just want people to come lighthearted to see how we interpreted the relationship between King Sejong and Jang Yeong-sil.”
Actor Han noted that history can be interpreted differently, depending on the person. “There can be a history of an individual. But in terms of a country, distinguishing what's true from untrue is difficult. Because I think the answer would depend on each one's perspective,” Han said. “Although the film is based on the records, this is a created piece, resulted from imagining what might have happened.”
The film “Forbidden Dream” is set to hit local theaters Dec. 26.