Sa Bang-ji (1988) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language

1988 · 94 mins · Korean

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Directed by

Song Gyeong-sik

Starring

Lee Hye-young, Park Am, Bang Hee, Lee Kyeong-hui, Kwak Jeong-Hee

Sa Bangji, an intersex figure recorded in Korea’s Joseon era, is raised by a benefactor and resides in a monastery. One day a grieving young widow, Lee So‑sa, arrives after her husband’s death. Their fated meeting sparks an erotic attraction that deepens into a transcendent yet perilous bond. Though the film’s stylized portrayal of sexuality reflects its period, it stands as a landmark for intersex representation, confronting the severe stigma faced by its protagonist.