Bichunmoo - 飛天舞

Bichunmoo (飛天舞) is a 2000 film out of Korea. The film stars Kim Hee-sun and Shin Hyun-jun. At the time of the films release, it had been the most expensive Korean film to make.

The movie is about Shin Hyun-jun as Jin. Jin is a descent of a long line of great martial artists. Jin grows up with Sullie, played by Kim Hee-sun. The two fall in love. But Jin's bloodline would prevent him from staying around. Sullie is married off to another noble and Jin wants to kill Sullie's father.

Lots of fighting happens. Lots of background stories are also explored.

When I went looking for this film in 2001, it was very much hyped because it was the first big wuxia film from Korea and the lead lady, Kim Hee-sun, was amazingly beautiful.

Was I disappointed? Yes. The story was quite hard to follow and the fighting seemed a little d-list. Would "wuxia" type films from Korean improve in the future, you bet your heart out. But as the first major entry into the wuxia genre, this was acceptable. But by wuxia standards, it was quite cheezy.

Guns and Talks - 殺手公司

Guns and Talks (殺手公司) is a 2001 film out of Korea. The film stars Shin Hyun-jun, Won Bin, Shin Ha-kyun, Jeong Jae-yeong, and Jeong Jin-yeong. Ko Eun-mi and Oh Seung-hyeon play supporting roles. Many of the faces here became mainstays in the Korean film industry up to today.

The movie is about a group of assassins and what seems like a 10-20 day span. The leader of the group is played by Hyun-jun as Sang. Sang's younger brother, Ha, is played by Won Bin. The other two that form this foursome are Ha-kyun as Jung and Jeong Jae-yeong as Jae. They operate out of their flat and take pictures with their clients. A police inspector, Cho, has started to get on their trail. The cat and mouse chase begins. Who will make it out?

When I saw this movie in 2002, I was completely blown away. Up to that point, I had really only seen Shiri and Bichunmoo in terms of Korean films. So, I was looking to be impressed. What I got was completely out of left field. The movie was both serious and comedic at the same time. It explored the mundane lives of assassins and those that chase them. Seriously blew my mind.

Does it stand the test of time, 8 years after. Recently dug up, I think it does. This is prior to all four members blowing up in Korea.