''Chi-hwa-seon'' or ''Chwi-hwa-seon'', (also known as ''Painted Fire'', ''Strokes of Fire'' or ''Drunk on Women and Poetry''), is a 2002 South Korean drama film directed by
Im Kwon-taek about
Jang Seung-eop
Jang Seung-eop (1843 – 1897) (commonly known by his pen name Owon) was a painter of the late Joseon Dynasty in Korea. His life was dramatized in the award-winning 2002 film '' Chi-hwa-seon'' directed by Im Kwon-taek. He was one of the few pai ...
(commonly known by his pen name, Owon), a nineteenth-century Korean
painter
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a solid surface (called the "matrix" or "support"). The medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush, but other implements, such as knives, sponges, and ...
who changed the direction of Korean art.
Synopsis
It begins with the Korean artist being suspicious of a Japanese art-lover who values his work. The story then goes back to his man's early years. Beginning as a vagabond with a talent for drawing, he has a talent for imitating other people's art, but is urged to go on and develop a style of his own. This process is painful and he often behaves very badly, getting drunk and being hostile to those who care about him and try to help him.
These events are set against the struggle for reform within
Korea
Korea ( ko, 한국, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republic ...
, caught between
China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, most populous country, with a Population of China, population exceeding 1.4 billion, slig ...
and Japan (annexed by Japan in 1910, outside the film's time-frame).
Cast
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Choi Min-sik
Choi Min-sik (born April 27, 1962) is a South Korean actor. He received critical acclaim for his roles in '' Oldboy'' (2003), ''I Saw the Devil'' (2010) and '' The Admiral: Roaring Currents'' (2014).
For his role in ''Oldboy'', he won the Best ...
as
Jang Seung-up
*
Ahn Sung-ki
Ahn Sung-ki (born January 1, 1952) is a South Korean actor. One of the country's most respected actors, he has appeared in more than 130 films during his career of over 60 years.
Career
A native of Seoul, Ahn was the son of a veteran filmmaker ...
as Kim Byung-Moon
*
Yoo Ho-jeong
You Ho-jeong (born January 24, 1969) is a South Korean actress. She made her acting debut in 1991 and has been starring in television and film since. Roles include a divorcee whose husband lives next door in daily drama '' Definitely Neighbors'' ...
as Mae-hyang
*
Kim Yeo-jin
Kim Yeo-jin (born June 24, 1972) is a South Korean actress and activist. Kim made her acting debut in the stage play ''What Do Women Live For'' in 1995, and has since remained active in film and television, drawing praise for her supporting roles ...
as Jin-jong
*
Son Ye-jin as So-woon
Awards
* In 2020, the film was ranked by ''
The Guardian
''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers '' The Observer'' and '' The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the ...
'' number 13 among the classics of modern South Korean cinema.
References
Sources
Distributor's page*
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External links
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at koreanfilm.org
{{Grand Prix
2002 films
2002 biographical drama films
South Korean historical drama films
South Korean biographical drama films
Biographical films about painters
Films set in the 19th century
Films set in the Joseon dynasty
Films shot in Incheon
Films directed by Im Kwon-taek
Best Picture Blue Dragon Film Award winners
2000s Korean-language films
Cultural depictions of South Korean men
Cultural depictions of 19th-century painters
2000s historical drama films
Japan in non-Japanese culture
2000s South Korean films