Watch Seondal: The Man Who Sells the River

Seondal: The Man Who Sells the River is a historical comedy set in the late Joseon Dynasty in Korea. The movie follows the charismatic and cunning Seondal (played by Yoo Seung-ho), a notorious con man who deceives the rich and powerful while giving back to the poor. The story begins with Seondal's childhood, where he learns the art of trickery from his grandfather. As an adult, Seondal forms a group of fellow swindlers, including the street-smart Gyeon (played by Jae-Hyun Cho) and the beautiful courtesan Yoon (played by Jeon Ah-hee), to carry out elaborate heists and cons. However, their latest scheme gets them in trouble with the corrupt government officials, who want to eliminate Seondal and his crew.

Seondal's next con involves selling the Daedong River, a mythical river that runs through the country, to the Japanese ambassador. He convinces the ambassador that the river has magical properties that can heal any disease or ailment, and that it can only be sold by a special authority (which Seondal himself claims to possess). The ambassador falls for the trick and offers a huge sum of money in exchange for the river.

Seondal and his gang soon face unexpected challenges in carrying out the con, including a vengeful gang leader who wants to kill Seondal, an old nemesis who wants to expose his tricks, and a cunning government official who wants to use the con to further his own political agenda. Along the way, Seondal also falls in love with Yoon, but struggles to reconcile his feelings with his con-man nature.

The movie features several exciting set pieces, including a thrilling chase scene on a crowded market street, a hilariously absurd fake exorcism, and a tense standoff with the Japanese soldiers guarding the ambassador. The film also explores themes of social justice, political corruption, and the power of storytelling to awaken people's hopes and dreams.

One of the strengths of Seondal: The Man Who Sells the River is its talented cast, especially Yoo Seung-ho, who carries the film with his charming and witty portrayal of Seondal. Jeon Ah-hee also shines as Yoon, bringing depth and warmth to a role that could have been a one-note love interest. Jae-Hyun Cho provides comic relief as Gyeon, showing off his comedic timing and physical comedy skills.

The film's production values are also impressive, with beautiful period costumes and set designs that transport the audience to the 18th century Korea. The cinematography captures the bustling energy of the streets and markets, as well as the lush natural landscapes of the country.

In conclusion, Seondal: The Man Who Sells the River is a delightful and entertaining period comedy that combines exciting action, romance, and social commentary with a captivating performance by Yoo Seung-ho. It's a great choice for anyone who loves historical movies with a twist of humor and drama.

Seondal: The Man Who Sells the River is a 2016 history movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 1 minute. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.