Portrait of a Beauty (2008 Film)

Portrait of a Beauty (Korean: 미인도; RR: Miindo) is a 2008 South Korean period drama film directed by Jeon Yun-su. Set in the 18th century, the film offers a fictionalized account of the life of the historical painter Shin Yun-bok, known by the pen name Hyewon.

Promotional poster for the film Portrait of a Beauty.

Plot

The narrative centers on the premise that the renowned Joseon-era painter Shin Yun-bok was actually a woman who lived disguised as a man. In the film, Shin Yun-bok (played by Kim Gyu-ri) enters the royal court to continue her family's artistic legacy under the tutelage of the master painter Kim Hong-do (Kim Young-ho). As she develops her craft, she encounters a mirror seller named Kang-mu (Kim Nam-gil), leading to a romantic entanglement that challenges her professional and personal life, ultimately straining her relationship with her mentor.

Background

The film is based on the 2007 novel The Painter of the Wind by Lee Jung-myung. The novel explores the life of the 18th-century artist Shin Yun-bok, whose work is celebrated for its satirical and erotic themes. Because historical records regarding the painter's life are scarce, the novel introduces the hypothetical scenario of the artist being a woman in disguise. This same source material also inspired the 2008 television series The Painter of Wind.

Actress Kim Gyu-ri — Kim Gyu-ri, who portrays the lead character Shin Yun-bok.

Cast

Kim Gyu-ri as Shin Yun-bok / Shin Yun-jeong
Kim Young-ho as Kim Hong-do
Kim Nam-gil as Kang-mu
Choo Ja-hyun as Sul-hwa

Actor Kim Young-ho — Kim Young-ho, who portrays the painter Kim Hong-do.

Actor Kim Nam-gil — Kim Nam-gil, who portrays the character Kang-mu.

Actress Choo Ja-hyun — Choo Ja-hyun, who portrays the character Sul-hwa.

Reception and Awards

The film was released in South Korea on November 13, 2008. It was screened at the 13th Fantasia Film Festival in 2009. The film received recognition for its technical production, winning the Best Cinematography award at the 46th Daejong Film Awards in 2009.

Scene from the film — A scene from the film depicting the period setting.