Portrait of a Beauty (2008) - full transcript

Yedang Entertainment Presents

In Association with CJ Entertainment

Distributed by CJ Entertainment

An Iroom Pictures
Charm Films Production

A JEON Yun-su Film

A JEON Yun-su Film
Look at the control of contrast

Look at the control of contrast

His techniques parallel
that of a practiced artist

This boy is truly gifted

- Your name is SHIN Yun-bok?
- Yes, my lord

This painting is alive with energy



Surely a proud descendant of
royal portraitists

Train him well

It'll be a matter of time before
your family glory is restored

But it's KIM Hong-do
that the King loves

and his style that dictates trends

Reversing that will be

a great challenge

This is "Blossom and Sparrow"

Allow me the pleasure

of seeing your brushwork in action

KIM Min-sun

KIM Young-ho

KIM Nam-gil

CHOO Ja-hyun



Go on, child!

How dare you...

embarrass me in front of the guests!

Where are you hiding?

He wouldn't have died
if it wasn't for you

How dare you bring deceive me
Bring shame to the family

and kill my only heir

How dare a girl try painting?

You painted them?

Not your brother, but you did?

KIM Hong-do is known to treat
the lowly and noblemen equally

But you'll treat him
with utmost respect

Yes, father

All teachers are brought down
by their best pupils

Remember that

PORTRAITOF A BEAUTY

10 years later

This is exactly same as the original

but you focused only on copying,
you failed to hear all the notes

I know of your exceptional skills

So I deliberately missed a note

This time, listen with whole heart
and convey the music onto the paper

Yes, sir

'Flawless conduct and high integrity'

Cardinal virtues laid out
in elegant calligraphy

Looking at them will cleanse
the mind of the beholder

Who's work is this?

Hyewon SHIN Yun-bok,
Your Majesty

Come forward

Tell me...

What is civility?

Maintaining integrity
and politeness

and knowing one's obligations

Is that all?

Kuan Zhong of Qi said civility is
one of four pillars constituting a nation

If one is missing,
nation will decline

With two missing,
it will be imperiled

With three missing,
turned upside down

When all four is gone,
the nation will fall

Indeed!

The reason I ordered for
reorganization of Dohwaseo

is because court painters are
more than mere craftmen

Artistic styles of the royal court dictates
that of the entire kingdom's

Study hard the literature
and arts

Let your paintings reflect
the honor of the court

Yes, Your Majesty!

I haven't seen pictures
of outside lately

Have new paintings made for me

Yes, Your Majesty

Here you go!

Help yourselves!

This one's better than that one

Get lost, you filth

Get your dirty hands off!

Do you know how much it is?

Away! Away!

- Wow, bronze mirrors!
- Have a look, ladies!

Did you see the real mirror?

- Real mirror?
- Yeah, the real thing

Let's go, see!

Ladies! Hey!

I haven't sold one yet!

Out of the way!

Get him!

Which one?

Over there!

- Stop him!
- 'Scuse me!

Out of the way!

You, wretch!

Let's talk this over

No license, no selling here!

Sneaky monkeys like you
are doing us heading!

I'm only trying to
make a living

Shut your mouth!

Get him!

Idiots!

Teacher!

Oh, my treasure!

What am I to do?!

You're getting younger, sir

The precious mirror is broken

and you are partly to blame

If you paint me a picture worth
ten thousand, I'll set him free

If not, I'll make him my slave
What do you think?

A slave?! You wish...

Try doing that,

and I'll smash your skulls

That clueless wretch!

It's not a problem for a painter
to paint a picture,

but as you see, my hand...

You can't paint then?

What if the painting isn't worth
the price of the mirror?

All depends on the tip
of his brush

Paint!

Take a sit here

Looks like a vagabond monk

It's the Monk Shide of Tang

The saint that lived as a beggar
to look after the poor all his life?

If one can save a man
with a painting,

then that makes him
a living Shide

His wit and skills are worth a lot more
than the price of the mirror

Sirs, you owe him money

Owe him instead?

Shut up and bring out some wine!

Wait! Sirs!

Please take this puppy
It looked so cute and yummy

It'll be ready in few months

Consider it a token
of my gratitude

You want to pay up with a pup

I'll pay back properly
when I become rich

In a million years, perhaps?

Know a good spot
for genre painting?

Genre painting?

Paintings of ordinary people
and activities

Why would you want to
paint such thing?

Not landscape or angels?

Can you tell us or not?

Of course!
I'll show you the best spot, sir!

Show this young gentleman

Vow!

Where are you going?

I said genre painting,
not landscape!

Shh...

You haven't seen
naked women before?

- It feels so good
- Lovely!

It's great to be out

Meek-looking ones
are bigger perverts

Over there!

And there!

Pay, if you want to watch!

Out of the way!

Hurry, hurry!

Out of the way!

There was no corruption of morality
or betrayal in my father's days

What bothers Your Majesty?

You seem to be the only
virtuous man in the court

It's in the strength
of your brush

From those protesting for
abolition of class system

To those conspiring to
bring down the King

This country's in chaos

When the King practices frugality
by wearing hemp clothing

How is it that his subjects are
so corrupt and demoralized?

It's because the time is peaceful
under Your Majesty's ruling

Maybe my wisdom is short

That's not true,
Your Majesty

This is the weaver's workshop

and the brass smith forge

This is my version of
your "Cultivation"

It's natural for a pupil
to follow the style of his teacher

but a flower...

cannot come in full bloom
without revealing its inside

I'll remember that, sir

Find your own style and techniques

"Heavenly tiger"

No one can match you for details

It's a masterpiece

I heard your grandson saw your "Tiger"
and bursted out crying in fear

Now that there are two tigers
I fear they might fight each other

Nowadays watching my grandson
is more pleasing than painting

What pleases you, these days?

My pleasure is exchanging conversations
with the great master

How's your pupil coming along?

He's quite amazing

You realize he's a baby tiger that
your enemy planted under your wings?

Were you afraid of me
when I was your pupil?

You are not?

More excited than afraid

Look what they're up to

- Keep it down madam
- Ow, that hurts!

I'm just jealous!

- My dear sir!
- My precious!

She's not your woman!

You'll hurt yourselves!

Come back!

Come back inside

You're blocking my view!

Sexual Positions of Qing
No. 5!

Here, Here!

Position No. 6!

Position No. 7!

Look who's here!

What's a gentleman
like you doing here?

I worked my arse off for 7 years
to be court painter

You get to stand in front of the King
after only 1 year?!

Leave me in peace!

Hey, what's this?

Give it back!

Crawl!

Trying to pierce me
with a girlie stare?

On your fours now,
or the picture gets it!

No!

Crawl!

Now!

Now we're talking

Like father like son

After your father got thrown out
for lack of skills,

he crawled like a dog and
kissed KIM Hong-do's arse...

to get you into Dohwaseo, right?

You're as good as your father

Who the hell...?!

Stop it!

I can go by myself from here

There are drunkards and
rough men out here

It's no place for a woman...

I mean...

Hey

Walk safely

Kang-mu wins!

Sir!

Did you see my twist throw?

It was totally my game!

I'll win the prize bull and
pay for what I owe you!

I'm touched at the thought

Little sir isn't here today?

I made this for you

Three more games to win!
Don't go anywhere!

Where is the weaver's workshop?

Yun-bok

Sir

"Wrestling"

Teacher,

Spectators look down
into ring whereas

wrestlers' perspective is
from down up

Why did you incorporate
both viewpoints into one picture?

A man's eyes see what
his heart desires to see

What's your heart looking
these days?

Prize

Sir, I have to go somewhere

Curfew bell will toll soon
What if you run into patrol men?

I'll be back before then

"Lovers under the moon"
Late night, only the lovers know their feelings

"Hero at the brothel"

She's not your woman!

You'll hurt yourselves!

Come see me again tomorrow

"A widow's lust in spring"
Look what they're up to

Keep it down, ma'am

Ow, it hurts!
I'm just jealous

"Nothing happened here"

You're back early

You think I don't know
what you've been up to?

"A boat party"

You, naughty minx

You're the one out playing
during mourning period

You're right about that!

"A secret meeting under the moon"

Hurry now or we'll miss the ship!

I'm leaving this in your hand
'coz you seem trust-worthy

Don't you worry about it!

Let's go
No one here can count

A woman's bosoms

must always be covered
except for breastfeeding

A widow watching dog copulation?
Utterly outrageous!

You scold me for my wrong doings

How come you don't scold him
for prying and tattling?

How dare you talk back?

His Majesty the King!

I shall teach you a lesson

This will be your
last day at Dohwaseo

"Village school"

I was so pleased with
Kim Hong-do's painting

I came to pay a visit

Have copies made of this painting

and distribute to
all court officials

Yes, Your Majesty

Who painted these?

Hyewon SHIN Yun-bok, Your Majesty

Disciplinary action was being taken

Why did you make such paintings?

Speak up

Speak up, I said!

Hyewon has disgraced the court and
brought shame to Dohwaseo with vulgarity

I beg your Majesty to
punish him severely...

The paintings are not vulgar,
Your Majesty

What?

Interpretation is in the
eyes of the beholder

The paintings are satirical of
corrupt noblemen and courtesans

In the eyes of lewd-minded
the pictures may seem indecent...

That's not true, Your Majesty!

Obscenity is obvious to any eyes
Please see here!

A widow watching mating of dogs
and her servant pinching her thy

How can such behavior be described
anything other than obscene?

And the flowing creeks and rocks
in the background...

are clearly a lewd depiction of
female genit...

of... a graphic depiction of...

female anatomy

Whether meant as satire orjoke,

Too much is never
better than lacking

Exercise self-disciple and
cleanse your mind

Your father sent me a letter

It's full of worries for
his son's progress

My paintings weren't
meant to be satirical

I never meant to harm
or make fun of anyone

If they weren't satirical then
they were lewd paintings

Why do you condemn my paintings?

Condemn?

What I painted were natural humans

The natural weakness of minds
easily seduced and swayed by love

I thought you would understand,
of all people!

What rubbish!?

You made vile paintings

Labelling them beautiful
won't make them beautiful

I can endure
your insulting me but

I cannot allow you
to insult my work

Enough! Do you want to get
expelled from the court?

I was asked to look after it
while he's away on business

Merchant KIM's warehouse

He only allows handful of men here
and changes the lock frequently

How do they make this?

You're free

You haven't visited in 3 years...

You said you'll never come back

Look how hot it is

I know who you
would rather embrace

but it's me you're holding
in your arms tonight

Please, don't go!

Looky!

You filthy faggot!

How did it feel?

Let go!

Tell me, is that how you won
the heart of Master KIM?

You, vile two-faced faggot!

Let me have a piece of you, too!

Choose!

Die for contempt of the court
or leave for good!

Now that I'm leaving,

I'm remorseful
of the wrong I did you in envy

Please accept my apology

I cannot take your cup
but I'm happy to forget the past

Thank you

Bring in the girls

Sirs!

I almost died waiting!

You won't say no to women, surely?
This is how men make up

Sure is!

You're so fair

Let's see if your thing is
good-looking, too

I need the loo...

Don't bother with the trip
I'll take care of your waterworks

Let me accompany you, dear sir

Let's see! Let's see!

Wait for your turn!

He is a true player

How he teases her

What's there to see?

What's so great about painting?
Is it worth living a lie?

Thank you for helping me out

Maybe you can sacrifice
even love?

How about this

Look at the color!

This one?

Man, you're picky!
We've been doing this all day

Let's see the one up there

You have an eye for treasure!

This one here?

Good choice! Lt'll capture
any woman's heart...

It's too elegant for my taste
I've not worn it once

It'll take at least a month to get
a dress made. So, how about it?

You don't want it because
it belongs to a courtesan?

Why are you being so kind?

I can spot a good man
That's why

How much is the dress?
I don't have much on me...

I received this from the man
who I wanted to marry

I told him I wanted to be with him
during the day as well as nights

He gave me this beautiful dress

and never came back

I can see you'll never betray
your woman

Woman who wears this will be happy
and that'll make me happy

The lines are wrong
They're weak and shaky

Keep redrawing them
until you get it right

I'm planning to go
somewhere tomorrow

I've seen the hearts of men
while painting the commoners

My desire to see more is so strong
I can't sleep at night

You are a court painter who knows
the morals and laws of painting

You must always discipline yourself
when come in contact with the lowly

Too much is never
better than lacking

But sir...

The exams are not far away
Refrain yourself from outings

Focus wholly on practice

I want to see how beautiful you are

Look

You're the fairest of
all of Joseon

I hope to make a good sale
on this trip

so I can buy you new equipments

Why are we going to the temple?

So I can pray

I'll pray that
we live together happily,

painting pictures
and making mirrors

For your view, ma'am

Let's have a look

Where are you going?

- What are all these?
- He brought everything!

It's the musk from silver deer

If only I can make any use of it

Wear it in front of your husband and
he'll be all over you like a mad dog

Like a dog?
I'll take all of it!

I don't see Madam YOON

Is she still praying?

She spends all her life praying

How many years has it been?
Lt'll be quicker to find a donor

Father!

If I fail to produce
an heir again...

I'll be thrown out

This is the mirror that shows
one's sins from present life

When a man dies, the hell lord
places him in front of the mirror

Then it reveals all that
he has done in his life

Because of you...

Our family lost its only heir

How dare a girl try to paint!

Arrest all!
Monks and women regardless!

Arrest all!

Come here!

By the royal order of
His Majesty the King!

Let go of me!

Do you know who I am?!

- Kang-mu!
- Go! Run!

I'll be right behind you

I promise!
I'll find you no matter what!

Yun-bok!

I can't lose you

Subject

Exquisite Beauty

Those who pass this exam will serve
the King in close vicinity

You shall all do your best

Madam!

Sod it!

How am I to live with this shame?

Looking at it gives me hard-on

I'll keep this by the bed

and do my wife everyday

With your wife, you'll need that

What?!

Life's unfair. You know that...

By King's order,
we arrest all those

committing adultery in temples

and their rich families
get them out

Be consoled that your life
has saved many

After the execution tomorrow,

the temples and brothels will be
quiet for a while

Have a drink

What brings you here

so early in the day?

The dress that I gave you
I haven't seen you wear it

Something must have bothered you
You came to see me so early

What did you do with the dress?

I get more than ten rolls of silk
as gift every month

How can I remember a piece of cloth
that I received 3 years ago?

My servant sold it at the market
Perhaps she gave it to her niece

You're wrong to think you know
men's mind

How dare I do that?

But I know a little
about a man's body

Likewise, I cannot know
your thoughts

but I know your body inside out

I'll give you my all

I'll stay with you and
do everything you ask of me

Please save Kang-mu

I have been greatly shocked and
saddened by the recent atrocities

committed by these criminals

the extent to which people abandon
values that constitute this country

has become truly unacceptable...

You take after your father

It puzzles me...

My arrows hit the target
every time

Why do my orders fail
to do that?

Mastering archery takes one man
but politics take many men

Why you asking me a tough favor?

Because I believe in the great
goodness of Your Majesty

No...

No! No!

No... No...

No!

Stop the execution!

It's the order of the King!

His Majesty the King has
reduced the penalty

Halt the execution!

The sinner is to be banished
to Isle of Geoje

Sir, please

tell her not to worry...
tell her that I'm okay

Be grateful that you're saved

and don't ever come back

Step aside!
We have a long way to go

I must be getting old
I seem to see spirits these days

I saw your brother in my dream

He was shedding blood tears

I kept wiping them
but they wouldn't stop

How will I see
his face after I die?

Listen carefully. The only way
to rectify the wrongs you did him

is to suck out KIM Hong-do dry

and become the greatest
court painter

Prepare yourself for the court

I know you aren't being true
to your heart

I only hope there is
be no more sadness because of me

I was the happiest when there was
nothing but painting between us

Such moment never existed

You know that from the beginning
my intentions weren't innocent

I had no choice
but to love even that

Commutation, it sure is!
Half of them die on the way

Shall we head back now?
It looks like he's almost done up

We'll get in trouble
if we're caught

Stop!

I prayed...

I would see you
one more time before I die

All because of me...

Not your fault. Never!

Is certainly a woman

So busy keeping the King company
maybe you'll be made his concubine

Kang-mu is back

He's with your beloved pupil

I think they're
running away tonight

That cannot be!

You really don't know women,
do you?

Or is it love that
you don't know?

It's late
Why are you still up?

I was waiting for you

Something bothering you?

No. I thought that
I never gave you anything

I want to present you a painting

Don't go...

Please!

Let's bring him into the house

He can live with us
and help you paint

Are you certain
about your accusations?

Tonight it is

It's your only chance to
get rid of them

The poison will
start spreading soon

I have the antidote

but if you make another step,
I can't give it to you

Give her up!

You can't do anything for her

I can't let her throw her life away and
live as an exile for the rest of her life

Is that it?

Is that the reason?

We don't want much

We just want to be with each other
for the rest of our lives

How long do you think
that feeling will last?

You either live the moment and die
or live with the memories

You can't have it both ways

Erase her from your memories
Don't ever see her again

Her face, the eyes, the smile

Wipe it clean off your heart

I beg of you. Please...

I've never loved her
half-heartedly

Never once been untruthful
with my heart

You don't know what it
has been for me!

No... No!

Hyewon joined Dohwaseo
under false pretence of a man

and by doing so,
brought the court into contempt

I beg Your Majesty to record
her wrongdoings in the book

so the shame will pass down to
generations yonder

I beg you also to punish
her father and KIM Hong-do

for conspiring the evil deed

Why did you deceive my trust?

You spoke of virtues in
front of me

but you disdained the court
with lewd pictures

I have no shame for my paintings

They are what my hand painted

I met one man on my journey
to explore humanity

I touched his body

and felt his heart

The frailty of human
was so beautiful

so beautiful,
I had to paint them

Your Majesty!
That poor child painted

thousands of pictures
for her dead brother

All she wanted was to paint

I used her passion to
fulfill my greed

I am solely to blame for
the crime she committed

Please, kill me

Be quiet!

Remove that prisoner's tongue!

Hyewon and KIM Hong-do
shall be beheaded!

Your Majesty!

KIM Hong-do has served the court

with undeterred loyalty

It would be unjust to punish him

without determining the extent of
his involvement in the affair

Please have mercy!

Take them away

Interrogate them until cries of remorse
are heard from their proud mouths

Why didn't you say anything?

Set him free

His Majesty wishes to
set him free

You refuse to speak?

Then, let the picture
speak your mind

Teacher has always disapproved
of my paintings

He only found out last night
that I was a woman

Last night,

I had a row with the mirror-maker

and have accidently killed him

Teacher found out

and captured me
before the troops arrived

If that is the truth,
you shall not avoid death penalty

It's the truth, Your Majesty!

I destroyed her innocence

Unprejudiced insight
that saw beauty

in what others condemned as filth

I destroyed it with my lust

One can only live so long

I'm not afraid of death

My only remorse is that

I couldn't defend her innocence

Hyewon SHIN Yun-bok who brought
shame to Dowhaseo shall be banished

KIM Hong-do shall be pardoned

Why...

Why did you go through with that
to save me?

Under a thin coat

the love filling her
tender bosom,

I convey through
the tip of the brush