[Review] Just Look at Kang Dong-won's Face, the Old and Childish 'Cheonbaksa'

Movie Review: 'Cheonbaksa Exorcism Research Institute: The Secret of Seolgyeong'

A Handsome Exorcist vs. Yokai Battle
Reminiscent of 'Meoteoldosa'... Sloppy CG

"Where have I seen this before?" This question followed me throughout the entire movie. I felt a sense of d?j? vu during the whole runtime. When the scroll reached the top, the nostalgic "Meoteoldosa" came to mind. It shared a similar universe with "Meoteoldosa and the 108 Yokai," which I enjoyed as an elementary school student. This is not to say that the character Cheon Baksa, played by actor Kang Dong-won, was similar. Rather, it was the overall atmosphere of the film. Was it too ambitious to adapt a webtoon into live-action? Contrary to expectations of a strong occult theme, outdated jokes popped up unexpectedly. The story structure was old-fashioned, and the visuals felt dated. Even though the Chuseok holiday box office targets family audiences, childish and old-fashioned films tend to be ignored. Word of mouth spreads quickly. While massive promotional budgets can temporarily blind the eyes and ears, that effect is short-lived. The truth inevitably comes out within half a day after release. How will the Chuseok audience perceive "Cheon Baksa's Exorcism Research Institute: The Secret of Seolgyeong" (Director Kim Seong-sik, hereafter "Cheon Baksa")?

'Dr. Cheon Exorcism Research Institute: The Secret of the Snow Scene' Still Photo [Photo by CJ ENM]

Cheon Baksa (played by Kang Dong-won) does not believe in ghosts but works as a fake exorcist with insight that penetrates people's hearts. He lives by solving cases he receives with his partner In-bae (played by Lee Dong-hwi). Cheon Baksa is the eldest grandson of the head family that has protected the village for generations, yet he himself does not believe in ghosts. One day, a client named Yoo-gyeong (played by Esom), who can see ghosts, visits and offers a stack of money. Cheon Baksa readily accepts the proposal and heads to Yoo-gyeong's house. While pursuing the case, he uncovers the secret of the talisman Seolgyeong, which is intertwined with him. During this process, yokai confront Cheon Baksa, and among them, the king of yokai, Beomcheon, reveals his true form. Beomcheon moves from body to body, hunting spiritual energy. As a demon blinded by desire, he confronts Cheon Baksa.

The story structure is simple. The villain targets Seondang and kidnaps the group. To rescue the kidnapped companions, Seondang enters the villain's lair but falls into an unexpected trap. Then Seondang fights the villain. "Cheon Baksa" can be summarized as a duel between a tall, handsome male protagonist and a terrifying yokai.

The story gains momentum when client Esom appears. The old tales surrounding Cheon Baksa are revealed, and as he confronts the demons in earnest, tension builds. The occult genre's charm comes alive, drawing viewers into the story. However, audiences unfamiliar with the original webtoon may find it hard to understand. The abilities of each character are not easily grasped and may come across as somewhat childish. Although the film includes action, occult elements, thriller, and humor, the only standout charm is the occult aspect.

'Dr. Cheon Exorcism Research Institute: The Secret of Snow Scenery' Still Image [Photo by CJ ENM]

Heo Jun-ho's presence is strong, and his scenes confronting Cheon Baksa are clean and effective. However, the story unfolding in the demon's lair feels contrived. The characters appearing as Heo Jun-ho's subordinates are tonally mismatched. They remind one of villains and yokai from "Ureme" or "Meoteoldosa."

The biggest problem with "Cheon Baksa" is its CG (computer graphics) and action. This is also the main reason it feels like "Meoteoldosa." The way spiritual energy moves between people’s bodies resembles the "rays" fired in "Ureme" (1986) or "Back to the Future" (1987). This breaks the tension. It is questionable how much domestic audiences, accustomed to high-quality Hollywood CG, will be satisfied. The action is also monotonous, and even the sword fight scenes are not utilized functionally.

As Kang Dong-won mentioned at the press conference, "Cheon Baksa" reminds one of his previous works "Jeon Woo-chi" (2009) and "A Violent Prosecutor" (2016). It also feels somewhat like the occult film "The Priests" (2015). It gives the impression of mixing these three characters. Kang Dong-won's dazzling appearance fills the screen and is so captivating that you cannot look away, but his handsome looks alone are insufficient to cover the film's cinematic flaws. It is regrettable that Kang Dong-won was not utilized better from a directorial perspective.

'Dr. Cheon Exorcism Research Institute: The Secret of Snow Scenery' stills [Photo by CJ ENM]

Park Jung-min, appearing as a fairy shaman, is impressive. Although his cameo lasts only a few minutes, he completely captures the audience's attention. He delivers a cleverly calculated performance that fully serves his role. His story is so outstanding that one wishes to see it as a separate spin-off. Idol group BLACKPINK’s Jisoo also appears briefly like a commercial, but has no lines. All the dialogue is delivered by Park Jung-min. The runtime is 98 minutes. Rated 12 and over. It opens on September 27.

Additionally, "Cheon Baksa" will be released on the 27th alongside "Spiderweb," starring Song Kang-ho and directed by Kim Ji-woon, and "1947 Boston," starring Ha Jung-woo and Im Si-wan and directed by Kang Je-gyu. Although the holiday is long, competition is inevitable. The three films will hang their signs in theaters and wait for audiences together.

I hope a good film will be released to restore the lost trust in Korean cinema. I hope audiences will feel, "Yes, Korean films are this enjoyable to watch in theaters," and "I want to see it again." Last summer and the previous summer and Chuseok markets, Korean films tasted bitterness. Ticket prices have risen. Audiences are smart and discerning. Some in the film industry say, "It's tough," "We're all doomed." If similar complaints are repeated and similar decision-making processes produce similar results, what will change? This should be seriously considered. "Cheon Baksa" began filming last September under the title "Possession." It is not what is called a "warehouse film." That makes it all the more regrettable.