KJCKorea
Journal Central

Recreation of traditional narratives found in folktales and ancient novels into movies has constituted a mainstream of modern popular culture. The life force of an old story survives time and tide to reach the modern audiences, and the advancement of cinematic technology makes it possible to visualize the fantastic elements of the ancient tale. Therefore, diverse media such as animation, theater, film, television drama, and game are enacted to transform old stories into cultural contents, aggrandizing their popular status in the 21st century modern society. The film Jeonwuchi is based on the story of Jeonwuchi a historical figure from the Jeoseon period. In particular, Tale of Jeonwuchi, the original story of the film, has been well-known among the public in the form of folklore and novel: the film version successfully recreates the world of fantastic romance in which the protagonist performs brilliant exploits. The typicality of hero story, often described as a "life of hero," has been utilized as a universal way to compensate for the sense of deprivation that the public feel in reality. Jeonwuchi is loyal to the theme of the original folktale by portraying the catharsis of desire which unfolds in the criticism of unjust society, the conflict between the good and the bad, the punishment of villains, and the final triumph of the hero in the face of adversities. In the mean time, although the film version maintains the basic elements of the original story, the former also differentiates itself from the latter, showing a unique change in the plot structure. In order to embrace changing world-views in the cinematic adaptation, Jeonwuchi rearranges the series of events, catering to modern sensibility. The character of the protagonist also incarnates the 21st century type popular hero: the hero appears as a lighthearted, active, and talented man, living in a freewheeling urban life style. Moreover, sensational images are advanced to the fullest extent, capitalizing on the unique aspects of the film medium. Jeonwuchi as a visual literature holds greater potentialities to be further developed thanks to the charming motif of hero story. The multimedia upholding modern society provide continuously diversifying forms of narrative for the folk hero. Jeonwuchi on its part carries the power of sustainable narrativation. In conclusion, Jeonwuchi has a vital force to be creatively conveyed to the modern audiences through renewed adaptation and circulation.

modern adaptation, circulation, life of hero, popular culture, multimedia age, sensational image