The Tale of Chun Hyang (춘향전)

A film of North Korea

Love, love, this is love

It is a beautiful love

As beautiful as the flowers

As pure as the dew

This is the story of love

Mong-ryong and Chunhyang

A song that is passed on

From generation to generation

This is the song of Chunhyang

THE LEGEND OF CHUNHYANG

Miss!

I collected the dew.

- Really? - It smells like flowers.

What great weaving!

I'm done, get started with your makeup!

Please pour that into the vase.

Hyang-dan, can you go grind the rice in the mill?

Yes.

- Have you finished? - Yes.

Is it good enough?

You weave well.

Today is Dano, let's get ready for a tour!

Ms. Sung, are you there?

Coming!

She has already finished?

I was just dropping by on the way.

It was a rushed job, I hope that you like it.

It's beautiful.

I did well to ask you for help.

She spent a sleepless night.

Really? It must have been hard.

How can I thank you?

It is we who should thank you.

- We trouble you all the time too. - Not at all.

Enjoy us as well.

What amazing talent! My daughter will be happy.

A woman cannot hope to survive in this world without practical skills.

That's why I taught her sewing and weaving.

But her talent just brought her additional trouble.

Because of my background,

the poor girl has never known her father.

Due to my mismanagement,

all that is left of her inheritance

is pretty much restricted to this house.

You don't need to worry.

Your Chunhyang is so graceful and pretty.

Her beauty is known throughout the country, what's there to be worried about?

Today is Dano, the streets might be disorderly,

you must step up your guard.

Yes, Sir!

Return to your posts, and do not harass the citizens.

Yes, Sir!

Good morning, Father.

Sir, today is the feast of Dano.

I want to go visit Gwang-han pavilion.

You are of noble birth.

You must not mix with these peasant rabble.

Go back to your studies.

Yes, sir.

- Hello. - Hello, Young Master.

So what did he say?

He said no.

He said that I am a noble. I must not leave the place.

Your father is right. He is looking out for you!

I need to go out, I can't stay at home and study all day!

Go change.

You can go, but come home early.

Thanks, mom.

Chunhyang!

Today is Dano, the streets are filled with people.

Be prudent, or you might end up as the town's laughingstock!

Yes.

Give way! Give way! The son of the Governor arrives!

Shoo!

Out of the way!

Look!

Let's watch the wrestlers.

If your father ever saw that you were among the beggars,

he will certainly punish you.

This is Dano, this is the only opportunity to see it!

Miss, be careful! Don't fall into the water!

Hyang-dan, let's go play on the swing!

Alright.

Out of the way!

Chunhyang, you are out touring too?

You look so pretty today, too.

That's so rude!

Miss, the young gentleman is staring at you!

It is beautiful,

the spring pavilion Gwang-han!

"The distant mountains and the nearby grasslands greet me."

"I am in such a delightful mood today."

"The spring breeze gently wafts past me"

"Opening up my heart and my soul."

Wow, Young Master, I only knew you were an expert poet.

I didn't know you could ad-lib at will too!

Young Master, the table is ready, come have a drink!

Look!

What is that red dot which is swinging in the sky?

I see nothing.

Are the eyes of a servant worse than those of a noble?

It looks like a fairy dancing under the blue sky!

Young Master,

it's a girl on a swing, not some fairy.

Who is this girl?

It's Chunhyang, whom you ran across a while ago.

Chunhyang...

"Scent of Spring".

She is the only daughter of Wol-mae

a former courtesan, known in our town.

Despite her origin, Chunhyang is good at literature,

painting, music and she is courteous too.

She is a master at weaving

and is exceptionally beautiful also.

She is well known throughout the region of Namwon.

This town not only contains one beauty

but two!

Clear the table and return to the house.

Valet!

Can you help me call Chunhyang?

You can't do that, you will be humiliated!

Listen.

You're the only one who understands how I feel.

If she is such an exceptional girl,

how would she humiliate me?

You don't get it!

She attracts suitors like a lamp attracts moths.

So many gentlemen are captivated by her.

They all tried to meet her,

but no one has succeeded.

Please, avoid the humiliation, forget it.

Shut up and go!

I will not go.

How dare you? Go get her now!

Miss,

why are you going there?

The young master in the pavilion,

I prefer to avoid him.

Wait, Chunhyang!

Chunhyang!

The son of the Governor, Li Mong-ryong

wants to talk to you.

My master is waiting impatiently.

Let's go.

Valet, govern yourself accordingly!

It is unlikely that the son of a noble

asks to see the daughter of a modest house.

I do not believe you.

It is the request of a noble,

do not argue!

You know who you are talking about?

Chunhyang,

as you have seen, Young Master is a handsome young man.

When he recites a poem, even the birds listen.

He learned that you were very talented in poetry too,

and he would like to discuss some techniques with you.

Stop being so arrogant!

Valet, tell him that I can not go.

What?

Pass this message to him:

"Who is Chunhyang to you?"

"The peach blossom only blooms after a bitter winter."

"The mere gusts of the spring breeze won't change a thing!"

Hyang-dan?

Wait, Chunhyang! Hyang-dan!

Ah, damn it.

"...won't change a thing!"

"A peach blossom..."

It's the elegant smell of peach blossoms.

I get it, she thinks I underestimated her.

Truly, she has exceptional talent.

Young Master Li must have a crush on you.

Plant them in the garden outside.

It's no go.

Let's make some cereal cakes.

You love cakes with sesame seeds.

My mother also loves cereal cakes.

Let's make cakes with meat filling then.

Mother has been a loner ever since Father died.

We try to cheer her up with good food.

You are spending the night writing a letter?

- Valet! - Yes?

Deliver this letter, quick.

You are overworking me! Like a slave!

You and your strange assignments.

Do not return without getting a response!

Miss.

A letter for you.

"The moon shines bright at the pavilion."

"The spring breeze warmly caresses my heart."

"I should be drifting off to sleep."

"But I lie awake in bed"

"Deep in my thoughts."

"Chunhyang, you are like the fragrance of a rose."

"You have enchanted my heart and my soul."

"Please reply, even one line would do."

"I see why you cannot sleep."

"The spring breeze enchants everyone's hearts."

"I woke up last night to play my harp."