A Frozen Flower (2008)

Story: The story was what originally made me want to watch this. If there's one thing lovers of Korean culture know, it's that homosexuality is about as taboo as it gets. So the fact that they made a movie about a King in love with his male general is amazing to me.

The pace of the story flowed really nicely for me. It didn't jump right into the main plot. It gives you a little while to get used to the characters and sort of get a feel for how they are with each other, which makes it a lot more enjoyable to watch in the end.

I think my only complaint (or at least the only one I can think of right now) would be the sex. There was a lot more than I was originally expecting. The first hour or so is like watching softcore porn. I'm so glad I was watching it by myself, because that would've been incredibly awkward if anybody else had been around.

Acting/Cast: I really liked this cast. A lot. Their chemistry together was amazing.

I'd seen Joo Jin Mo in a couple of things before watching this, and I liked him in those. I absolutely loved him in his role as the king in this though. He's what really made this movie for me. He had me smiling whenever he was happy about something, and when someone would hurt him, it would just break my heart because he looked absolutely crushed. This movie really shot him up on my list of actors to watch.

It's the first time I'd watched Zo In Sung and the second time for Song Ji Hyo, and I was definitely impressed. Zo In Sung looked so torn between his loyalties and his feelings that you just wanted to reach out and hug him at times.

Shim Ji Ho's part was definitely not as big as some of the other actors, but I'd be lying if I said he wasn't one of my favorite characters.

Music: I don't remember much of the music. I did enjoy the music that I do remember though.

Rewatch Value: It's over two hours long and, like I said, a bit on the pornographic side for the first hour or so. I'd need to be in the mood for a Joo Jin Mo movie if I ever wanted to watch this again.

Overall: Overall, it wasn't too bad. There was a bit at the end that they could've done without, and there was a bit of stuff in the middle I didn't really think was necessary, but I don't feel like it took away from the film.

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So I have mixed opinions about this one. This is a really extraordinary movie, with extraordinary story and actors. I mean, it's like award worthy. But, still, there are a lot of things about that I didn't like.



The greatest thing about this story is that is something that feels real, that I think could've happened in real life, and probably did. It portrays the difference between love and lust, and how the world functioned at that time. I do think that it could've been better with less graphic scenes, or adult scenes, they weren't necessary, and in Asian context they used it to make it dirtier, something like "well he cheated on his boyfriend, which is indecent, so it doesn't matter if we throw in a couple of sex scenes because it already is immoral." Actually Asians tend to that with sex scenes, I've seen it in other movies and dramas.



The acting is completely superb. I mean, in real life both actors are straight and yet they made their gay and bi characters completely real and believable, you understand what's going through their minds and how the evolve. And besides, to take these roles was a risky choice because even in Hollywood this is like a "taboo" topic, now imagine in Asia, where they're a lot more conservative. I think the queen wasn't a main character, she actually wasn't that important, she only was there to create the conflict.



The music was awesome, it made the scenes deeper, and it gave you a more accurate knowledge of what was going on.



I will probably never rewatch this movie again, because even though it truly is a superb movie, I thought it was to raw and had too many sex scenes. Also, I didn't like the things that happened before the end, it was completely unnecessary, they just put it in there to create more drama and shock the viewer. This is a good movie, very real and cruel, so if you're looking for something with content, this is your movie, if you're looking for a romcom or something fun to watch, you probably won't like this one.

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I came across of this movie accidentally on TV. Since it's rare to watch Korean movies on TV i thought i would give it a try. i was watching it with my parent and thought they're not fond of Korean movies they said they really liked it.
Plot was interesting and acting was superb. My jaw dropped when i saw that sex scenes. Koreans always have problems with kissing scenes and man to man scenes done with such a high quality was really surprising.
Everything in this movie was unique. Story, acting, music, even fight scenes... everything was done well.
I really liked the movie and i would recommend it to those who aren't against of watching man to man scenes but love interesting and original movies.

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After debating with myself as for what to watch i finally decided to watch this movie. The sex scenes actually are one of the main reasons I watched. However i must say although slightly awkward at first, the chemistry between the actors made everything much more intense. The story although it may seem complex its actually really simple.....love triangle with all parties attracted to each other. Although set in the medieval era, i think it was beautifully written and well acted. The cast was literally just a ton of beautiful people. They all worked perfectly together. The music wasnt overpowering and it actually carried the movie quite well. I'm definitely planning on re-watching this movie and showing it to a lot of people. Overall I absolutely loved it. I kinda want an alternate happier ending lol
I must say I commend the 3 main actors especially Song Jihyo for doing the sex scenes with so much intensity and passion.

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Superb Movie, Unforgettable

This movie knocked me off my feet, and then some. WOW!

As advised by the reviews I have read, I watched this movie with an open mind and focused more on it's entertainment value. Suggest for you to read Yoon Na Rae's review on myDramalist. Her comments on the movie was done really well, so I will not write much on mine. Except to say that "A Frozen Flower" is a truly bold, intense and superb movie. All the actors were so good, especially Jo In Sung and Joo Jing Mo. It looked like they had to give it their 'all' to carry the movie from beginning to end, and I must say it was very much appreciated. Their acting truly showed how versatile and talented Korean actors are for international market consumption.

For the first time, I also looked for the Director of this movie who did a magnificent job. Yoo Ha (Mr). Saw his profile and realized that he also directed Marriage Is A Crazy Thing (Kam Woo Sung) and Gangnam 1970 (with Lee Min Ho). Two movies which I also liked. I find that Director Yoo is really good with movies that actually depicts deep, difficult emotions and situations which is part of life. I guess life is not sunshine and roses everyday for all of us.

So again, if you are keen to watch a mind blowing movie, with an open mind, I highly recommend "A Frozen Flower".

Cheers! K-Movie Forever!

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OK, I read the reviews first, so no surprise at the mature content.

At first I thought the story line would be a bit cliched...typical love interest and jealousies etc. So, I was pleasantly surprised by the realistic emotions and feelings that the main cast leads the viewer as the film progresses. True, I thought stars like Jo In Sung and Song Hi Hyo would not have needed to bare all for such a film as this - and I don't believe there was a need for so many such scenes - but they bring out the emotions.

The way the film was shot - use of color, close-ups, music and visuals - was top-notch. I especially loved the way the eyes and the face were used as instruments for conveying urgency, passion, fear and anger. The fight scenes also get a thumbs-up.

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Cheers to Song Ji Hyo for playing a role like this, and Jo In Sung. It was great; passion, love, and betrayal at its best. In my opinion the King brought the chain of events on himself, he took a young boy and let him believe that what he gave him was love, yes it was love but not the love he truly desired. When a person discovers passion like Hong Im did, you cant turn away; he had never experienced anything like it before both with the King and the Queen. But I admire the King for the decisions he made, he seemed like a strong man who commanded loyalty and respect just by walking into a room, yet his one and only weakness was he lover and it was his Achilles heel. The sex scenes only disturb people who don't see it as art. Each sex scene was a journey in their love, each time was more passionate than the previous time. They were both new the "hip rubbing"; and like all novices they wanted want more, but their greed for it was too much. I enjoyed the movie and am beginning to like the Goryeo era dramas more and more each time i find one, it has a hint of Joseon era but less stuffy.

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I wasn't going to admit to watching this at first. Not that I'm a prude, but this movie isn't the typical Korean movie. First of all, this is NOT a family movie. Pretty much the whole first half is about sex. The story is original to me, but I’m not that experienced with Korean movies. I thought it was interesting and the ending was great.

Forget the story…
I was totally floored that Song Ji Hyo of Goong and Running Man was in this and doesn’t leave much to the imagination. CRAZY!!! I will never be able to watch Running Man again the same way.
Next there is Jo In Sung who doesn’t leave much to the imagination either and let me just say that even if it is slightly embarrassing it is well worth the look. I had just watched What Happened in Bali and I was not prepared for his role in this movie. I actually kind of felt sorry for his character, because he ended up totally confused and hurt.
Joo Jin Mo is the King in this and I thought he did a really good job. He’s not hard on the eyes either.

Anyway, this isn’t a horrible movie. It isn’t something I typically watch and to be totally honest I would not have watched it if I had known that there was going to be…um…explicit scenes. It just isn’t my thing. I’m not entirely sure if I am comfortable recommending that others watch it either. How about this…watch at your own risk. :-)

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