Bound by Chastity Rule (열녀문)

Bound by Chastity Rule

Choe Eun-hui / Shin Yeong-gyun

Planning : Hwang Nam

Screenplay : Kim Gang-yun

Director of Photography : Jeong Hae-jun

Cast

Han Eun-jin / Kim Dong-won

Director : Shin Sang-ok

The year is 1920.

Here stands a symbol of a custom and tradition

that has ruled this land since long ago.

It is the Arch of Chastity.

The Arch embodies the Confucian philosophy of

A subject does not serve two kings'

A wife does not serve two husbands.'

It was not that long ago,

the people lived by these strict rules.

The king bestowed special arches

to praise loyal subjects and faithful widows.

However a new stream of thought surged upon this land

and people started to search for their humanity.

This story is about a man and a woman

who stood at the crossroad of old customs and modern ways.

Giddy up, you silly bull!

It's good to be back in my hometown.

It's not like I have any family waiting for me.

But I've missed this place.

How long has it been?

3 more years would have made it 10.

Is that so?

Thing can change a lot in that time.

Even this remote hill has changed.

This is a new road.

Thanks to modernization, Mr. Kim from Seojae Village

finally let down his topknot hair.

Really?

That sure is a big change.

But their family has it rough.

Their wealth is replaced by misfortunes.

The lady passed away and then her son died leaving a widow.

- Who? - Don't you know?

The daughter of Mr. Han from Deoksan Village.

She's the widow? When did this happen?

Her husband was still a boy when he died.

Mr. Kim has a second son to carry on the family name

but the poor young widow... She can't even remarry.

If a widow slips even once, she is condemned for life.

In the old days, widows used to put soot on their faces

to keep men away.

You know that our family name is held in high esteem.

Whenever I got indecent thoughts,

I chased them away by stabbing my thighs.

The cotton I used to wipe the blood could fill a whole closet.

I raised your father-in-law alone and ran this household.

That's why the King bestowed the Arch of Chastity on me.

It's that hard for a widow to keep chaste.

How will you stay chaste with all that powder on your face?

Forgive me, Grandmother.

Always act with determination and caution.

Yes.

- How are you, sir? - Look who's here, Seong-chil!

- What brings you here? - I came by to see you.

- Come inside. - Thank you.

It's not like he's a stranger to us.

We're short of help so I asked him to stay.

I'm not sure about this.

He has a hot temper and he's been traveling on the road.

Please don¡¯t worry about that.

My only concern is that

having a stranger around might inconvenience you.

But in our situtation,

we have to do the best we can.

I understand.

Let's make it a really great harvest this year.

When it comes to farmwork, no one can beat Seong-chil.

I'll go.

No, old women are better suited for this.

You shouldn't be carrying meals to the workers.

- It's really all right. - Let me take it.

Only if her mother-in-law hadn't died...

Giddy up!

Giddy up!

Giddy up! Hup!

Giddy up!

Only a widower knows what a widow needs.

And only a widow knows what a widowers needs.

Only a widower knows...

Damn him...

Geez, someone's having all the fun!

You shouldn't have come, ma'am. I'll come to the house.

It's all right.

It'd be too much hassle for you.

Why, that bull!

Damn those animals!

The cow must be in heat.

Oh, my goodness!

You, filthy swine!

How dare you!

I'll get you for this!

What?

You just wait and see! I'll kill you next time!

- Father. - My dear son...

The in-laws are here.

How was the journey?

- Come inside to the main room. - Thank you.

If he smiles, they'll have a daughter.

Quiet down.

Let's see the bride's face.

What a fair bride!

Hug her tightly tonight so she doesn't run away!

She's a beauty.

Have many sons and daughters.

Hey, Seong-chil!

I want you to go out and look around.

He said he was going to the toilet. That was two hours ago.

- The Young Master? - Yes.

Here I go.

Young Master.

- Young Master - Let me go!

No! I don't want to go home!

Let go of me!

Do you know what today is?

You have to sleep with your wife.

Let me go!

- I don¡¯t want to go. - Let's go.

- I don't want to go. - We're here.

No! Let me go!

Where have you been, boy?

Here.

- No, no! - Stand up!

I don't want to go in. Let go.

I want to sleep with my mommy.

Let go.

You'll sleep with your pretty wife. You should be happy.

No, no! I want to sleep with my mommy.

When will that boy grow up?

- I want to sleep with my mommy. - Du-hyeon!

Don't take off my clothes! No!

A subject does not serve two kings.

A woman does not serve two husbands.

Husband

Du-hyeon, Du-hyeon! Wake up!

- Du-hyeon! - My dear boy...

- Du-hyeon! - What are we going to do?

He has lost consciousness.

- Du-hyeon! - Du-hyeon!

Du-hyeon!

My dear, what have you done?

We are in serious trouble.

We must think of something or we're all doomed.

Take a look at the sky. Doesn't look like rain.

This harvest is ruined.

How can the heavens can be so cruel

when we're all at its mercy?

What are you doing?

We can't just sit and wait for the rain.

Good idea but if we block the water here,

the field further down won't have enough.

The stream will go dry soon as it is.

Let me try something.

Seong-chil, why aren't you married yet?

Why?

Who would give a daughter to a homeless

- vagabond worker? - You never know.

Young Master.

Huh?

Oh, sorghum rice cakes!

You¡¯ve been working so hard.

You should have some.

Thank you.

It's delicious.

Try some.

Here.

Leave it alone.

I have nothing better to do.

Ma'am.

Your hands are not fit for such rough work.

All hands are made for work.

Please!

All right, then.

Leave the farming to me.

The other paddies may go dry but I'll make sure ours don't.

I can't bear to see this.

I'd rather watch my child die than this!

What a wretched sight!

This damned weather will kill us all.

Curse him!

That damned thief has blocked our streams.

No wonder the paddies are going dry.

Who?

Seong-chil! That bastard!

- Seong-chil? - That's right.

Here, take it.

Why are you just sitting there?

You should go and fetch more water.

Are you going to keep carrying water like that for the whole field?

It's better than doing nothing.

At least, I can quench my thirst.

Geez.

Don¡¯t you hear that?