By Chris Horn
There’s no question that Korean period films have continued
to increase in popularity in recent years as three of the top ten grossing
Korean films by ticket admissions are set during the Joseon dynasty. As Korean
studios allocate increasing resources to the next big period films they would
do well to study Lee Joon-ik’s masterful The
King and the Clown. Not only does Lee capture a thematically interesting
story rounded out by compelling performances, but The King and the Clown is brilliant in its sympathetic look at all
levels of Joseon society.