The Huntresses ~ Three (3) Female Super Heroes

The Huntresses is a 2014 Korean movie streaming on Viki, categorized as Historical Fiction, Costume and Period, Action, Adventure, and Comedy. The movie is a hidden gem, especially if you like K-dramas with strong female leads.

SUMMARY: “The Huntresses” are three (3) female bounty hunters commissioned by the king to fin a secret envoy who disappeared with a precious scientific instrument. They were picked because according to legend, they have never failed a mission.

♦ If My Mother-in-Law Really Knew What I Was Capable Of

“The Huntresses” takes place during the historical period of Joseon where the trade relations with the Arabs included the exchange of science and technology. Secret envoys were tasked with delivering a stauroscope to the king of Joseon. However, assassins killed the envoys. Jin-Ok, Hong-Dan, and Ga-Bi are female bounty hunters. One of the ladies is married and under the watchful eye of her mother-in-law. She has a hard time trying to sneak out to perform her assignments. But she manages to slip away somehow.

Three women on a secret mission commissioned by the king during the Joseon Era must be superheroes. They were picked for the job because their reputation is legendary. According to legend, they never fail. One of the king’s envoys disappeared along with a stauroscope. He may or may not be alive.  But for sure, the stauroscope is somewhere in the kingdom. There is a group within Joseon whose aim is to overthrow the royal family. They intercepted the stauroscope because, if it’s important to the king, then they must have it. The king always tries to implement societal changes that will improve the lives of ALL people of Joseon. The group wants to maintain the rigid class system, that keeps the Yangban at the top and the lowborns and slaves at the bottom. Therefore, they want to stop anything the king can use for improvements or change.

Jin-Ok, Hong-Dan, and Ga-Bi are skilled martial artists; but Jin-OK usually takes the lead and comes up with the game plan to catch the targets. Together, these three have skills and abilities that complement each other and that’s why they are an effective team.

Main Characters:

• Jin-Ok (played by Ha Ji-Won, “Curtain Call”, “Empress Ki”, “Damo”)
• Hong-Dan (played by Gang Ye-Won, “Bad Guys”, “The Bad Guys: Reign of Chaos”)
• Ga-Bi (played by Son Ga-In)

Where to Watch

Viewership and Rating:

• IMDb: 5.5 out of 10 stars
• My Drama List: 7.3 out of 10 stars
• Letterboxd: 2. 9 out of 5 stars
• Viki viewers rated this film 9 out of 10 stars

My personal rating is the same as the Viki viewers.

I gave “The Huntresses” high marks for its educational value. Entertainment-wise, it was kind of corny and cute, a fun watch; especially when the women did the belly dancing.

• On the minus side, Ha Ji-Won is a talented actress, but this movie is not one of her best.
• On the plus side, this is not your run-of-the-mill historical Korean drama. For one thing there are 3 strong female leads and they take the lead in a good way. They are not caddy, viciously ambitious, or wicked. They’re just independent women living in a man’s world, during the Joseon Era, who have learned how to fend for themselves. Some refer to them as Lady Three Musketeers while others make a comparison to Charlie’s Angels.

KOREAN HISTORY NOTES: Not many people realize that there was once profitable trade relations between the Joseon Dynasty of Korea (1392–1910) and the Arabs. It goes back to the Silk Road. In fact, the realtions go all the way back to the Silla Kingdom. This movie pointed out that historical fact. Relations between the Korean and the Arabs were briefly interrupted because of China’s isolationist policies (a closed-door policy) and the Confucian culture. People had to follow Confucianism and not Islam. During the reigh of the great King Sejong, Korea’s last dynasty during the Joseon Era, he encouraged inter-cultural exchanges with the Arabs. Learn more: Korean-Arab Exchanges; South Korea holds special expo to mark National Day | Arab News

What is a stauroscope? A stauroscope is an optical instrument that helps determine the position of light-vibration planes in crystal sections. This scientific instrument was invented by Wolfgang Franz von Kobell in 1855.

LINKS OF INTEREST:

THE HUNTRESSES Is a Fresh and Unique Adventure | Korean Film News | KoBiz

‘The Huntresses’ Review: South Korean Silliness | Film | Variety

8 Must-Watch K-Dramas Starring Ha Ji Won | Cosmopolitan

[Special Post] Ha Ji Won: From A Bright Little Star To A Splendid Sun (Part 1) | Cheshire Cat’s Wonderland

TRAILERS/TEASERS:

映画カルチュア FilmIsNow Japan. “The Huntresses Official Trailer (2013) – Sth Korean Action Movie.” YouTube Video. YouTube, April 24, 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlUFV08FGjk.