Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet () is a 2016 South Korean black-and-white biographical period drama film directed by Lee Joon-ik and written by Shin Yeon-shick, starring Kang Ha-neul as the titular character, and Park Jeong-min. It was released in South Korea on February 17, 2016.
Plot During the Japanese colonial period, when names, language, and dreams were forbidden, Dong-ju and Mong-gyu, cousins of the same age, were born and raised together. Dong-ju, a young man who dreams of becoming a poet, sees Mong-gyu, who acts fearlessly for his beliefs, as both his closest friend and a figure difficult to surpass.
The two leave their chaotic homeland to pursue studies in Japan, which forces them to adopt Japanese names. There, Mong-gyu becomes even more devoted to the independence movement, while Dong-ju continues to write poetry, mourning the tragedy of their times. This deepens the conflict between them, as Mong-gyu is driven by action, while Dong-ju expresses his despair through words.
Cast Kang Ha-neul as Yun Dong-ju Park Jeong-min as Song Mong-gyu Kim In-woo as Detective Choi Hee-seo as Kumi Shin Yoon-jo as Lee Yeo-jin Min Jin-woong as Kang Cheo-Joong Choi Hong-Il as Dong-Ju's father Lee Bit-na as Yun Dong-Ju's younger sister Moon Sung-keun as Jeong Ji-yong
Reception The film was fifth placed on its opening weekend in South Korea, grossing .
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Recipient Result2016 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards Grand Prize (Film) Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet Best Film Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet Best Director (Film) Lee Joon-ik Best New Actor (Film) Park Jeong-min Best Screenplay (Film) Shin Yeon-shick 16th Director's Cut Awards Best New Actor Park Jeong-min Best Production of the Year Shin Yeon-shick 25th Buil Film Awards Best Director Lee Joon-ik Best Actor Kang Ha-neul Best Supporting Actor Park Jeong-min Best New Actor Park Jeong-min Best Screenplay Shin Yeon-shick Best Music Mowg 36th Korean Association of Film Critics AwardsBest ScreenplayShin Yeon-shick17th Busan Film Critics AwardsBest Screenplay37th Blue Dragon Film AwardsBest FilmDongju: The Portrait of a PoetBest DirectorLee Joon-ikBest New ActorPark Jeong-minBest ScreenplayShin Yeon-shick201722nd Chunsa Film AwardsBest Supporting ActorPark Jeong-min
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