Jesters: The Game Changers () is a 2019 South Korean historical comedy film written and directed by Kim Joo-Ho.
Plot The story centers on a gang of con artists who are paid to boost people's reputations with rumors, exaggerated claims, and other stunts. King Sejo's adviser Han Myeong-hoe orders them to use their skills to improve public opinion of the king.
Elements of the story are based on King Sejo of Joseon, who launched a coup that allowed him to seize the throne from his young nephew.Lee, Jae-lim. "'Jesters' offers a comedic take on King Sejo's reign". Korea JoongAng Daily. August 14, 2019. He killed a number of people to secure the throne, including his nephew Danjong of Joseon, who was poisoned following a plot to remove Sejo from power.
Cast
Cho Jin-woong as Deok-Ho Son Hyun-joo as Han Myeong-hoe Park Hee-soon as King Sejo Ko Chang-seok as Hong-chil Choi Won-young as Hong Yoon-sung Kim Seul-gi as Geun-Deok Yoon Park as Jin-sang Kim Min-seok as Pal-poong Jang Nam-yeol as Yang-Jung Choi Gwi-hwa as Mal-bo Kim Hee-chan as the crown prince Baek Soo-hee as Dodo
Release The film was released in South Korea on August 21, 2019, and in the following year, had its North American premiere at the Fantasia Film Festival.
Box office On the first day of its release the film was shown on 804 screens, sold 87,124 tickets, and grossed US$591,383, opening at #3 at the Korean box office."Spackman Entertainment Group's New Film Jesters: The Game Change". Bloomberg. August 21, 2019.
Reception The Korea Herald reviewed the film, commenting that "While it aimed to be funny and original, and its props were quite creative, its narrative was sloppy and the parade of cheap and uncomfortable jokes unimpressive." Conversely, Asian Movie Pulse stated that it was "a respectful ode to the storytellers and the magic of storytelling as a medium of entertainment as well as propaganda, a good-looking production overall which has way more merits than demerits."
The Chosun praised the acting of Son Hyun-joo, Park Hee-soon, and Cho Jin-woong while criticizing Yoon Park's acting as awkward.
References
External links