Detective K: Secret Of Virtuous Widow

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Movie: Detective K: Secret Of Virtuous Widow
Revised romanization: Joseon Myungtamjung : Gakshituku Ggotui Biil
Hangul: 조선명탐정 : 각시투구꽃의 비밀
Director: Kim Suk-Yoon
Writer: Lee Choon-Hyung, Lee Nam-Kyu
Producer: Kim-Jo Gang-Soo, Lee Sun-Mi, Choi Jae-Won, Choi Jong-Ho, Jo Yoon-Jin
Cinematographer: Jang Nam-Chul
Release Date: Janaury 27, 2011
Runtime: 115min.
Distributor: Showbox/Mediaplex
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea

Plot

In the year 1793, 17 years after Jeongjo became the King of Joseon, a series of murders occur. King Jeongjo believes the murders may belong to a conspiracy by government officials to cover up tributary payments. King Jeongjo then gives Detective K (Kim Myung-Min) a secret order to find out who is behind the killings.

When Detective K goes to question the jailed city governor, he discovers that the governor has just been murdered. Detective K then pulls out the murder weapon: a long metal needle that is jammed into the back of the governor's head. Furthermore, Detective K discovers a clue to the murderer's identity. Remnants of the regional Wolfsbane flower is found near the long metal needle. But, while Detective K is holding the murder weapon, prison guards come into the cell and assume that Detective K murdered the city governor. Now imprisoned, Detective K awakes to find dog fancier Seo-Pil (Oh Dal-Su) standing over him. Seo-Pil helps Detective K escape from prison.

Because of this incident, King Jeongjo demotes Detective K and reassigns him to Jeokseong to investigate the case of a woman thought to have killed herself after the death of her husband. But, this reassignment is more of a rouse for Detective K to get to Jeokseong - the area where the Wolfsbane flower blooms.

As Detective K and Seo-Pil investigate in Jeokseong they come across lady Han Kaek-Ju (Han Ji-Min), who works as a commission agent and controls large groups of merchants. Detective K and Seo-Pil suspect that Han Kaek-Ju and the head of the Noron political party Minister Lim (Lee Jae-Yong) are embezzling taxes to payoff politicians. Meanwhile, Detective K also investigates the case of the woman who reportedly committed suicide after the death of her husband and comes to the conclusion that these two cases are somehow related ...

Notes

Based on the mystery novel "Yulnyumoonui Bimil" ("열녀문의 비밀") by Kim Tak-Hwan. Novel was first published on December 24, 2007.
Filming began September 2, 2010 in Danyang, South Korea.
During filming actor Kim Myung-Min broke a rib on November 1, 2010. Filming was not delayed and Kim Myung-Min continued filming.

Cast



Kim Myung-Min	Han Ji-Min	Oh Dal-Su
Detective	Han Kaek-Ju	Seo-Pil

Addtional Cast Members:

Lee Jae-Yong - Minister Lim
Kim Tae-Hun - Lim Geo-Sun
Ye Soo-Jung - Public Officer Lim's wife
Choi Moo-Sung - public officer
Jeong In-Gi - village governor
Lee Sol-Gu - servant
Jung Jae-Sung - city governor of Jeokseong
Choi Jae-Sup - village public officer
Moon Kyung-Min - old blacksmith
Nam Sung-Jin - king Jeongjo
Woo Hyeon - Mr Bang
Kim Young-Hoon - priest

Trailers

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Film Festivals

2011 (12th) Jeonju International Film Festival - April 28-May 6, 2011 - Cinemafest: Outdoor Screening
2011 (5th) Seoul-Stockholm Korean Filmfestival - September 10-15, 2011
2011 (6th) The London Korean Film Festival - November 4-10, 2011 - Contemporary Korean Cinema

Awards

"Best Art Design" - 2011 (48th) Daejong Film Awards - October 17, 2011

Comments

Comment #3
Gasenadi Says:
Feb 25 2012 8:52 am

Enjoy this movie. You won't regret it. Comedy with message (which will remain nameless since no one else is mentioning it...) BTW, Ki, I'm following your recommendations so thanks a lot. Hope you keep posting!
Comment #2
Zel Says:
Mar 07 2011 7:59 am

Eeeeek! this is the 1st time seeing Han Ji Min in a Femme Fatale character....
By the way Ki, where did you watch the movie? I'm dying to watch it myself..
Comment #1
Ki Says:
Jan 27 2011 7:40 am

Just watched "Detective K" and liked what I saw. The movie is a period film, but also a comedy with lots of action and a good bit of mystery. Because of this fusion of period+comedy+action+mystery genres "Detective K" felt fresh and unique. Kim Myung-Min performed wonderfully in his often slapstick leading role, which breaks his stereotype of doing only heavy, serious roles. Action scenes were surprisingly abundant and done in a modern way, shaky cameras moving / running with the action ala "The Good, The Bad, The Weird". The story itself is steeped in mystery and more complicated than your average film - but not enough to leave people befuddled. My biggest gripe with the film would be the script's decision to turn more serious towards the end of the film. Not totally unexpected for a Korean film (I guess if "Sex is a Zero" can morph into a serious drama by the latter half of the film "Detective K" can too), but would have appreciated the movie more if it stuck with the comedy elements throughout and relied on humor to carry the movie to the finish line. Oh, kind of like Yu Hae-Jin's head turning supporting role in last year's "Moss," Oh Dal-Su has a great supporting role in this movie and always provides laughs when he appears. Worthwhile film to check out if you are a fan of Kim Myung-Min or want a unique period film that will make you laugh and excited with its action/mystery scenes. I'll give the film a 6 out of 10.