Watch Empress Chung

Empress Chung is a 2005 animated film directed by Nelson Shin and adapted from a traditional Korean folk tale. The film tells the story of a young girl named Chung who is raised by an old monk in a forest village. Chung's mother, the emperor's bride, was promised to the King of Hell at her birth in exchange for the emperor's reign. However, because she was born without any blemish, the emperor's adviser suggested raising her in isolation until she turns 16. Chung is not aware of her fate, and when she turns 16, she refuses to go to the underworld and instead trades places with a fisherman to journey to the emperor's palace under the guise of Empress Chung.

The main story takes place in the palace where Chung is forced to navigate the complexities of court politics and resist the advances of the emperor, who is unaware of her true identity. The courtiers are concerned about Chung's bridging the gap between the living world and the underworld and fear that the kingdom will be cursed.

As the story progresses, Chung discovers that her mother was placed under a sleep curse by the Lord of the Underworld, blocking the emperor's reign. Chung's mission becomes to break her mother's curse while keeping her identity a secret. Throughout her quest, she meets an array of eccentric characters, including a talking fish, a butler with a comedic penchant, and a pair of love-stricken rats.

Apart from its fascinating plot, Empress Chung is also praised for its visually stunning animation. The film is notable for its use of Korean traditional arts and aesthetics, like pansori, in the character design and the backgrounds. The landscapes are particularly breathtaking, with the depictions of the natural scenery emphasizing the beauty of the country's traditional architecture and the countryside.

Empress Chung is also known for its cross-cultural appeal. The film integrates both Korean and Western cultures and narratives, making it approachable for a wider audience. The film premiered in Korea in 2005 and was also released internationally with dubbed voices, such as by Nicole Kidman in the English-dubbed version.

Despite its high production value, Empress Chung was not as commercially successful as it was artistically. Critics noted that the film was not particularly engaging in the humor and pacing regards, and the plot could have been tighter. Even though the storyline covers compelling themes such as sacrifice, love, and destiny, the film lacks cohesion.

Overall, Empress Chung is a visually stunning animated film with a rich narrative and cultural significance. In the world where Disney and Pixar are the mainstays of animated movies, Empress Chung offers a different perspective on animated storytelling, and it is worth a watch both for its beauty and its cultural value.