Fortune Salon (2009 Film)

Fortune Salon (Korean: 청담보살; RR: Cheongdam Bosal) is a 2009 South Korean comedy film directed by Kim Jin-Young. The film explores the life of a clairvoyant living in the affluent Cheongdam neighborhood of Seoul.

Promotional poster for Fortune Salon — Promotional poster for the film.

Plot

Tae-rang (Park Ye-Jin) is a gifted clairvoyant operating a high-end fortune-telling salon in Cheongdam, Seoul. While she successfully guides elite clients through complex life choices, her own romantic life is plagued by misfortune; every man she shows interest in suffers some form of harm. According to a prophecy from her mother, also a clairvoyant, Tae-rang is destined to marry a man born on May 16, 1978, at 11:00 PM before she turns 28. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters Seung-won (Im Chang-Jung), a former horse jockey, following a traffic accident.

Production and Title

The film's original Korean title, Cheongdam Bosal, carries specific cultural connotations. Cheongdam refers to a ward within the Gangnam District of Seoul, an area noted for its luxury boutiques and art galleries. Bosal is a term with dual meanings: it refers to female practitioners of Buddhism and is also used to describe fortune tellers.

Park Ye-Jin as Tae-rang — Park Ye-Jin portrays the lead character, Tae-rang.

Im Chang-Jung as Seung-won — Im Chang-Jung portrays the character Seung-won.

Reception

The film was released in South Korea on November 11, 2009. During its opening weekend from November 13 to 15, 2009, it ranked second at the South Korean box office, selling 384,378 tickets across 470 screens and accounting for approximately 19% of total ticket sales for that period.

Scene from Fortune Salon — A scene featuring the film's cast.