The Sword with No Name (2009 Film)
The Sword with No Name (Korean: 불꽃처럼 나비처럼) is a 2009 South Korean historical drama film directed by Kim Yong-Kyoon. The film presents a fictionalized account of the life of Empress Myeongseong, focusing on her relationship with a fictional bodyguard.
Plot
The story follows Mu Myeong (played by Cho Seung-Woo), a Joseon dynasty headhunter who falls in love with Ja Yeong (Soo-Ae), the woman destined to become Empress Myeongseong. After Ja Yeong enters the royal palace to marry King Gojong, Mu Myeong becomes her personal bodyguard in an effort to remain close to her. As the Empress navigates the complex political landscape of the late 19th century, she faces threats from foreign powers, specifically Russia and Japan, as well as internal opposition from the King's father, the Heungseon Daewongun. Mu Myeong serves as her protector against these mounting dangers.
Production and Release
The film was released in South Korea on September 24, 2009. It was produced by Sidus Pictures and distributed by Showbox. During its opening weekend from September 25 to September 27, 2009, the film sold 192,907 tickets across 510 screens, securing the number two spot at the South Korean box office. Throughout its theatrical run, the film sold a total of 1,681,638 tickets and remained in the weekend top ten for five consecutive weeks.
Lead actor Cho Seung-Woo was unable to participate in the film's promotional activities due to his mandatory two-year military service in South Korea.
Historical Context
While the film features the historical figure Empress Myeongseong, the character of Mu Myeong and his romantic involvement with the Empress are fictional. The name "Mu Myeong" translates to "no name" or "no light" in Korean, reflecting the character's status as an anonymous assassin.
Awards
- Best New Actor (Choi Jae-Woong) – 2009 (29th) Critics Choice Awards
- Grand Prix Action Asia / Best Action Asia Film – 2010 (12th) Deauville Asian Film Festival