A Man and a Gisaeng 남자와 기생

Film

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Feature Film

Comedy about a man who starts working as a gisaeng, a traditional hostess and entertainer.

Information

Programme History

Part of Queer East Festival 2023

Support

Supported by the Westminster City Council.

Director: Shim Wu-seob
Runtime: 86 Mins
Year: 1969
Country: South Korea

In this rediscovered comedy from South Korea, a man named Tae-Ho is fired from his office job for being ‘unmanly’ but is soon offered an unusual means of making money: he can work as a gisaeng, a traditional hostess and entertainer. Tae-Ho is initially hesitant to dress up as woman, but is so convincing in his newfound profession that he inadvertently becomes successful. Things become complicated, however, when he starts to receive proposals from several of his male clients – including Mr. Heo, the boss who fired him. Raucously funny, the film is ultimately constrained by the prevailing ideologies of the time, yet pushes at the edges of what was considered acceptable in 1969. Fully restored, A Man and a Gisaeng showcases a society in transition, and calls into question traditional views on gender and sexuality.

With a pre-screening introduction by Ryu Jaewook, University of Central Lancashire.