Rating: 
Summary: Good, but...
Review: I was pretty torn in my final analysis of this film. On the one hand, I loved this film for its colourful and poetic cinematography. The girls in the film were beautiful, and who doesn't like to look at beautiful girls in beautiful costumes? But I felt guilty for enjoying this film because as a feminist this story clearly doesn't reinforce feminist values, but rather, traditional, patriarchal values that seem to characterize Korea even up until this day. Sure, Chunhyang might seem like a heroine for choosing to face death to protect her virtue, but why should this be her defining moment? And I didn't like how Mongryong was able to pluck her out of crowd and take her for his wife like she were just some object for the taking. To me this reinforces man's desire, man's pleasure, and the preeminence of man. Although, on the other hand, Chunhyang clearly finds pleasure in sex with Mongryong, and in this way finds comfort in her own sexuality. Nevertheless, Chunhyang's life revolves around Mongryong and more importantly, she has no personhood or value so long as she is unmarried. In this context, the film seems pretty shallow and empty. But of course, if you get past the feminist agenda (that women deserve personhood in their own right, regardless of whoever's daughter or wife they are, and that women have their own desires outside of masculine constructions), this film is wonderful eyecandy. The historical setting also provides a glimpse into traditional Korea, although I can't say how accurate everything was.
Rating: 
Summary: "Chunhyang" simply perfect....
Review: I watched "Chunhyang" in the movie theater and also on DVD. I really didn't expect much as I bought my movie ticket and prepared myself for one of the greatest movies I've ever watched in a long time. Such a marvelous piece of work which also contained a very talented cast of actors & actresses. Not only did this Drama touch my heart, but also my mind. A very touching movie which is worth watching......I give this movie 2 thumbs up!!!
Rating:
Summary: Pansori coming alive on screen
Review: I've noticed that some reviewers were put off by Pansori(traditional Korean singing). However, the director chose Pansori as a narrative backbone in telling the story. The visual presention and realism, which is occassionally interrupted by the singing and the appearance of the singer, is not serious in portraying realism of the story but rather in many occassions comic and theatric(more exaggerated than subtle). That's the way the director chose to tell the story. It's a cinematic theater on screen.(At least that's the way I see it) Personally, I am a big fan of Pansori. I am fascianted by Pansori's gutteral and husky sound produced all the way down from the low abdomen. It is powerful, rhythmic and passionate way of singing. If you enjoy musicals then you would have no problem in accepting the narrative style of this film although you won't be seeing the main characters singing in the movie. On top of that, you will be in some exotic, cinematic and musical treat if you happen to like Pansori as I do. I don't like musicals much unless I see it on stage. Still, there are always exceptions and this is one of them. A very unique experience.
Rating: 
Summary: Avoid
Review: If you're looking for a good Asian movie, spare yourself of this one. The story isn't bad, and it's beautiful to look at, but the traditional Korean singing throughout will have you PRAYING FOR DEATH.
Rating:
Summary: Masterpiece
Review: One of the best-loved legends of Korea is retold in the singing tradition of Korea known as "pansori." Directed by one of Asia's most demanding and feared perfectionist directors, the cinematography is breathtakingly beautiful and, despite the lead characters being played by teenage, first time actors, the acting is flawless. The pansori singing is performed by a man officially designated by the Korean government as a living national treasure. The breathtaking beauty of Korean nature, a powerful story of innocent, true, and undying love, and the haunting vocal tradition of pansori combine to present an experience that I can unreservedly say is far and away the best Asian movie I have seen (rivaled only by "Ran") and is high on my list of the best films ever. I have yet to meet someone who was disappointed with this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: Sound, Color, Active Pansori All that we've got this movie is the perfent
Rating: 
Summary: Pansori is definitely not for everyone!
Review: The filming of this Korean classic will present some problems to most viewers. Before noting those problems, let me note what is compelling about the movie--stunningly beautiful photography of one of the most lovely countries anywhere in the world. Having had the pleasure of living in South Korea for four years, I can say that this film successfully captures the beauty of the country. The film also will provide many insights into Korean culture, tradition, and values through its retelling of one of the most loved of Korean classics. However, the decision to retell the story through pansori will sorely limit the number of people who will watch the movie. It is undoubtedly culturally insensitive of me to say this, but I found it so painful to listen to this classic Korean singing that I simply turned the volume down half-way through the film and used the subtitles. Had I watched the entire film with the sound on, it would have resulted in a headache of major proportions. Another point is the lack of personality of either of the two lead actors--simply too young and clearly inexperienced, they bring little to their roles. Having watched previous versions of Chunhyang on Korean TV, I can say that this is probably the least satisfying version I've watched. The first half tells the story very nicely, but the final half rushes to the conclusion in a way that leaves the viewer puzzled as to what the point of it all was. Previous versions I've watched actually built some suspense into this portion of the story, none of which was present in this movie. All in all, a major disappointment. This is by no means the best introduction to the growing wonderment of Korean films. Try Bichunmoo, Shiri, Nowhere to Hide, etc, to sample the exceptional energy infusing recent Korean films. Or go back to "Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East", for one of the most dazzling Korean movies ever made. Korean cinema has much to offer movie lovers, but Chunhyang isn't the place to start.
Rating:
Summary: So so DVD, beautiful film
Review: This DVD presents the film in anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) with Korean Dolby Digital 2.0 (Pro-Logic) soundtrack and defeatable English subtitle. The extras include American theatrical trailer, and trailers for few other foreign films. While the DVD's color saturation is satisfactory, the detail is lacking and digital artifacts are apparent. It's certainly serviceable, but Il-sung Jung's cinematography deserves better. As for the film itself, the acting is a bit smug and Pansori narrative-style (a Korean chant) disrupts the flow from time-to-time. However, there is still much to recommend it. The story has "Cinderalla meets Romeo and Juliet" flavor to it, and the film makes a good introduction to *traditional* Korean culture. And of course, Hyo-jeong Lee as Chunhyang is beautiful. P.S. I am a Korean guy and the film does not reflect modern Korean culture. Yes, South Korea is still (unfortunately) male-dominated, but not to the extent as presented in the film. Be open-minded when watching this film.
Rating:
Summary: A great piece of filmaking
Review: This is certainly the best film I've seen in a while. The cinematography was simply stunning. Although some other reviewers were a bit put off by the pansori, I found this narrative method to be extremely powerful and thoroughly enjoyable. The only distractions for me were the subtitles - which I plan to supress at the next viewing, since the story is so simply and elegantly told, one need not understand a single word to follow it. I suspect that Mongryong's nonchalant attitude towards the Governor following the Governor's arrest, is merely a reflection of the culture in which this story is set. After all, Mongryong did leave his beloved for three years to take the state exam and only returned at the behest of the King to investigate the Governor's mishandling of commerce and taxation - and not the mistreatment of courtesans. Its certainly an affront to our modern notions of justice to see bad actors go unpunished, but its a precise rendering of feudal society in which the priveliged few are in fact above the law. I applaud Kwon-taek Im's unapologetic handling of the subject, and his masterful filmaking as well.
Rating:
Summary: Like listening to fingernails scratch a blackboard
Review: This is the only foreign movie I've ever watched where I was compelled to put the TV on "mute" or slice off my ears with a samurai sword.
That didnt help either, because through the subtitles I then realized how bad the screenplay was. "He climbed up the ladder; he climbed down the ladder."
Cutting all this unnecesssary narration may have saved the movie; but then again, the movie may have been half as long.
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