Detective K: Secret of the Virtuous Widow

Detective K: Secret of the Virtuous Widow (Korean조선명탐정: 각시투구꽃의 비밀) is a 2011 South Korean period action comedy film based on the novel by Kim Tak-hwan, starring Kim Myung-min in the lead role.[2] It is the 4th highest-grossing Korean film of 2011.[3]

Detective K: Secret Of Virtuous Widow
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
朝鮮名探偵: 각시투구꽃의 祕密
Revised RomanizationJoseon Myeongtamjeong: Gaksitugukkochui Bimil
McCune–ReischauerChosŏn Myŏngt'amjŏng: Kaksit'ugukkoch'ŭi Pimil
Directed byKim Sok-yun
Written byLee Chun-hyeong
Lee Nam-gyu
Based onThe Secret of the Virtuous Widow
by Kim Tak-hwan
Produced byKim Jho Kwang-soo
Lee Seon-mi
StarringKim Myung-min
Han Ji-min
Oh Dal-su
CinematographyJang Nam-cheol
Edited byKim Sun-min
Music byKim Han-jo
Eom Gi-yeop
Production
company
Generation Blue Films
Distributed byShowbox/Mediaplex
Release date
  • 27 January 2011 (2011-01-27)
Running time
115 minutes
CountrySouth Korea
LanguageKorean
Box officeUS$32.3 million[1]

Plot

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In 1782, 16 years after Jeongjo became the King of Joseon, a series of murders occurs. King Jeongjo believes the murders may belong to a conspiracy by government officials to cover up tributary payments. King Jeongjo then gives Detective K (Kim Myung-min) a secret order to find out who is behind the killings.

When Detective K goes to question the jailed city governor, he discovers that the governor has just been murdered. Detective K then pulls out the murder weapon: a long metal needle that is jammed into the back of the governor's head. Furthermore, Detective K discovers a clue to the murderer's identity. Remnants of the regional Wolfsbane flower are found near the long metal needle. But, while Detective K is holding the murder weapon, prison guards come into the cell and assume that Detective K murdered the city governor. Now imprisoned, Detective K awakes to find dog fancier Seo-pil (Oh Dal-su) standing over him. Seo-pil helps Detective K escape from prison.

Because of this incident, King Jeongjo demotes Detective K and reassigns him to Jeokseong to investigate the case of a woman thought to have killed herself after the death of her husband. But, this reassignment is more of a ruse for Detective K to get to Jeokseong – the area where the Wolfsbane flower blooms.

As Detective K and Seo-pil investigate in Jeokseong, they come across lady Han Kaek-ju (Han Ji-min), who works as a commission agent and controls large groups of merchants. Detective K and Seo-Pil suspect that Han Kaek-ju and the head of the Noron political party Minister Im (Lee Jae-yong) are embezzling taxes to pay off politicians. Meanwhile, Detective K also investigates the case of the woman who reportedly committed suicide after the death of her husband and comes to the conclusion that these two cases are somehow related.

Cast

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Release

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The film was released in South Korea on January 27, 2011. It received a theatrical run in 10 cities in the U.S. and Canada in March 2011, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Seattle, Chicago, Dallas, Hawaii and Vancouver.[4] It was also sold to Australia, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and screened at the Hawaii International Film Festival.[5]

Sequels

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The sequel was released in February 2015. Kim Myung-min and Oh Dal-su reprised their roles, and are joined by Lee Yeon-hee as a femme fatale.[6][7]

A third film, Detective K: Secret of the Living Dead, was released on February 8, 2018.

References

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  1. ^ "Chosun Myungtamjeong (Chosun's Detective) (2011)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
  2. ^ Lee, Hyo-won (20 January 2011). "Actors enliven uncanny period adventure". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2014-06-11.
  3. ^ "The Best Selling Films of 2011". Koreanfilm.org. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
  4. ^ Lee, Hyo-won (4 March 2011). "Detective K to open in N. American theaters". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2014-06-11.
  5. ^ "Is Hollywood Ready for Korean Comedies?". The Chosun Ilbo. 4 March 2011. Retrieved 2012-07-27.
  6. ^ Kim, Hee-eun (10 June 2014). "Detective K team returns to set". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2014-06-11.
  7. ^ Tae, Sang-joon (16 June 2014). "DETECTIVE K: LABORER'S DAUGHTER to Crankin in June". Korean Film Biz Zone. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
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