Ban Geum-ryeon (1981) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language

1981 · 90 mins · Korean

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Directed by

Kim Ki-young

Starring

Kim Young-ae, Park Jeong-ja, Shin Seong-il, Lee Hwa-si

In ancient China, merchant Seo Mun‑kyung dominates the salt trade while polygamy is accepted. His schemes ruin the families of Hwa Ja‑heo and Hwang Mu‑dae. After Ja‑heo’s wife Byung‑ah fakes her death and flees, Seo’s anger turns to desire for Mu‑dae’s wife Ban Geum‑ryun, driving Mu‑dae to suicide. Geum‑ryun blinds Seo’s concubines Chun‑ae and Kyo‑ah, seizes Byung‑ah, and incites a deadly rivalry that ends with the slaughter of Byung‑ah’s family, Seo’s death, and Geum‑ryun’s own suicide alongside her husband.