Ssang-hwa-jeom

Put Korean skills together with gorgeous costumes, settings, and actors--then add a great director and three skillful actors in the leads--especially the talent of Jo In-Sung who can say more with his eyes and the gentle play of emotion across his face than most actors ever approach, and you have a great movie. It is sexy, thrilling, part love story part sword and martial arts and all intrigue. I disagree that the film is homophobic: the king's mistake plays out clearly. The theme is more about obsession on the king's part and resultant outcomes of jealousy, rage, and revenge. There is no question he is at fault: not for 'turning' the chief gay--but for setting up the entire tragedy himself and misunderstanding the power of love. If you want to keep your lover, find someone else to 'do the deed.'