The Concubine

The Concubine is a South Korean film released on 06 June 2012, directed by Kim Dae-seung. This historical erotic thriller centers around the life of Hwa-yeon, portrayed by Jo Yeo-jeong, who is forced to become a royal concubine in the Joseon dynasty.

The storyline follows Hwa-yeon, who falls in love with Kwon-yoo, played by Kim Min-jun, a commoner. However, her fate changes dramatically when she is taken to the palace as a concubine for the king, Sung-won, represented by Kim Dong-wook. This leads to a complicated love triangle, filled with betrayal, revenge, and obsession.

In the film's opening, a previous king's concubine finds herself in a vulnerable position. She attempts to manipulate her son, Sung-won, to take the throne. Meanwhile, the timid prince is smitten with Hwa-yeon, unaware that she is already in love with Kwon-yoo. When Hwa-yeon's father is forced to send her to the palace, she and Kwon-yoo attempt to escape, but their plans are thwarted, leading Hwa-yeon to sacrifice her freedom to save Kwon-yoo's life.

Five years later, Hwa-yeon has become the queen after giving birth to a son. As the plot unfolds, political intrigue intensifies when the king dies under mysterious circumstances. The former concubine positions her son as a puppet king while taking the reins as the Queen Mother, leading to a power struggle within the royal court.

Hwa-yeon soon discovers that Kwon-yoo has been forced to work among the eunuchs in the palace, where resentment brews as he feels betrayed by her. His bitterness grows when he learns of her new status and the sacrifices she made for him. Kwon-yoo's plight leads him to form alliances with other characters, including the manipulative Minister Yoon, as they navigate the treacherous landscape of royal politics.

As tensions rise, Sung-won becomes increasingly obsessed with Hwa-yeon, leading to a climactic confrontation filled with dramatic twists. The film culminates in a series of tragic choices, as Kwon-yoo vows to protect Hwa-yeon and their son in a desperate bid against the Queen Mother's lethal schemes.

Despite its graphic sexual content, The Concubine has received generally favorable reviews, with critics praising its layered storytelling and rich visual style. The film was noted for its lush cinematography by Hwang Ki-seok and the strong performances from the cast, particularly from Kim Dong-wook.

In its opening week, The Concubine attracted over 1.4 million viewers, and by the end of June 2012, it had sold more than 2.6 million tickets, marking it as one of the most successful films of the year. The film has also secured distribution agreements in several countries, including New Zealand, Japan, and Hong Kong.

Overall, The Concubine stands out as a captivating exploration of love, power, and betrayal set against the backdrop of Korea's historical narrative, offering viewers a mix of drama and intrigue that resonates beyond its erotic elements.