The Sound of a Flower (2015 Film)
The Sound of a Flower (Korean: 도리화가; RR: Dorihwaga) is a 2015 South Korean period drama film directed by Lee Jong-pil. The film is based on the historical figures Shin Jae-hyo, a renowned 19th-century pansori master, and his student, Jin Chae-sun, who is historically recognized as the first female pansori singer in Korea.
Plot
Set in 1867 during the Joseon Dynasty, the story follows Shin Jae-hyo (played by Ryu Seung-ryong), a scholar and leader of the Dongrijungsa, an academy dedicated to the traditional musical storytelling art of pansori. Despite his expertise, Shin initially refuses to train Jin Chae-sun (played by Bae Suzy) because societal norms of the era strictly prohibited women from performing pansori.
Determined to pursue her dream, Chae-sun disguises herself as a man to gain entry into the academy. When the powerful Heungseon Daewongun announces a national pansori competition known as the Naksungyeon, Shin decides to train Chae-sun for the performance. The narrative centers on the risks they face, as the discovery of Chae-sun's gender would carry severe consequences for both teacher and student.
Production
The film's title, Dorihwaga, refers to a danga—a short introductory song used to warm up the vocal cords before a full pansori performance. This specific piece was composed by the historical Shin Jae-hyo for his pupil, Jin Chae-sun. Principal photography for the film commenced on September 10, 2014, and concluded on January 2, 2015. Production took place across various locations in South Korea, including Namwon, Andong, Hapcheon, Buan, Suncheon, Buyeo, Suwon, Yongin, Namyangju, and Seoul.
Cast
- Ryu Seung-ryong as Shin Jae-hyo
- Bae Suzy as Jin Chae-sun
- Song Sae-byeok as Kim Se-jong
- Kim Nam-gil as Heungseon Daewongun
- Lee Dong-hwi as Chil-sung
- Ahn Jae-hong as Yong-bok
Reception
At the 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards held on June 3, 2016, Bae Suzy received the Most Popular Actress award for her performance in the film.