Review: Slave Hunters (Chuno)
Ah. My mum has fallen in love with this hit KBS drama. And with two lead (very hot) actors like Jang Hyuk (right pic) and Oh Ji Ho, can you blame her?
You can read the edited version of my review here. But here’s the longer, more “quippy” version:
THE early 17th century was a time of great uncertainty and suffering for the people of Korea.
In 1636 to 37, the Manchus invaded the country (then ruled by the Joseon dynasty), and So-Hyun, its crown prince was captured and taken to China as a hostage. Although he returned to his homeland in 1645, he died a month later, poisoned to death. His family fared no better – his wife was sentenced to death, accused of his murder, and his three sons were sent to Jeju island. Two died of illnesses and only the youngest, Seok-kyun, survived.
The common folk fared worse. Their fates are often determined by the whims and desires of selfish aristocrats who are busy jockeying for power and half the populace has been turned into slaves.
One such unfortunate is Song Tae-Ha (Oh Ji Ho), a government slave who works in the stables, serving the people he once fought with as a general of the empire. He does his job, keeps a low profile and even allows the head slave to beat him up even though he could easily crush him with a toe if he wanted to.
This all changes when he receives a message about Prince So-hyun’s death. Furious and guilt-ridden for not being by his prince’s side, Tae-Ha decides to break free and rescue the prince’s youngest son.
However, when slaves escape, they are hunted down by slave hunters (chuno). Lee Daegil (Jang Hyuk) happens to the nation’s best slave hunter, and his reputation is so fearsome it makes slaves weep in fear to hear his name.
So, naturally, officials hire him to drag Tae-Ha back. Daegil and Tae-Ha paths is set to collide in a fantastic way and their fate is entwined in ways that both may not forsee but will be, hopefully, quite entertaining for us.
It’s always sad when a young talent dies, and when they die so suddenly and without warning … well, fans just aren’t prepared.
Elizabeth Tai is a freelance writer, journalist and editor based in Adelaide.
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She also writes books. She is the co-author (as Gabrielle Low) of Malaysia Chic, published by Edition Didier Millet and Trixie Koala, a series of educational children's books.
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