Chun-hi (1927) - A very sad, very old Korean classic

Is it worth watching today? Only if you have a soft spot for silent movies and don't mind feeling a little depressed by the end.

People who love history or early Korean cinema will find it fascinating. Most people will probably find it a bit slow and dusty.

It is basically the Korean version of The Lady of the Camellias. You know the story—the sick girl, the rich guy, the family that ruins everything.

I was surprised by how well the French story fits into a 1920s Korean setting. It feels natural, not forced at all.

Cheon-Seong Jo has these eyes that just look like he's constantly about to cry. It's a lot, but it works for the mood they are going for.

There is this one scene where the light comes through a window and just hits the dust in the room. It felt so real, like I was sitting right there in the theater in 1927.

The acting is very dramatic, which is normal for this era. Lots of hands on foreheads and big sighs.

Alice Lee is great here too. She has a way of looking at the camera that makes you feel bad for her even before the bad stuff happens.

The pacing is kind of a mess if I'm being honest. Some scenes of people just sitting and thinking go on for way too long.

I found myself checking my phone once or twice during the middle bit. But when it gets to the ending, it realy hooks you back in.

It reminds me a bit of Manon Lescaut in terms of that heavy, romantic gloom. But this one feels more grounded in its own world.

The costumes are beautiful, though it's hard to see all the detail in the grainy footage. You can tell they put a lot of work into the sets.

I wonder if the director, Gyeong-son Lee, knew people would still be talking about this a century later. Probably not.

One weird thing—the way they use title cards is a bit clunky. Sometimes a card comes up for a sentence that didn't really need to be explained.

If you've seen things like Vanity, you know what to expect from this year of filmmaking. It's that specific 1927 vibe where everything is becoming more sophisticated but still feels primitive.

There is a moment near the end where the main character just stares into space for about thirty seconds. It should be boring, but it's actually heartbreaking.

The film is definitely a product of its time. It’s got that flickering quality that makes everything feel like a ghost story.

I noticed a small shadow of a camera man in one shot, I think. Or maybe it was just a smudge on the old film reel.

It’s not as polished as something like Hot Heels, but it has more soul. It’s a movie that wants you to feel every bit of its sadness.

I left the room feeling a bit heavy. That is usually a sign that a movie did its job well, even if it’s old enough to be my great-grandfather.

Don't expect a happy ending. Seriously, don't.

Small things I noticed:

• The way they pour tea is so deliberate it feels like a ritual.
• One of the background actors looks like he’s trying not to laugh during a serious scene.
• The makeup is very white, making everyone look a bit like porcelain dolls.
• The music—if you find a version with a score—is usually way too loud.

It's a solid piece of history. Just make sure you're in the right mood for a tragedy.