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Feng Shui

Name: Feng Shui
Director: Park Hee-kon
Released: 2018
Duration: 126 min

Representation Score

3.4/10

Limited

2018

Not Rated

Director

Park Hee-kon

Runtime

126 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Feng Shui is a culturally rich historical drama that excels in its authentic depiction of Korean geomancy and ethnic identity. By focusing on a specific metaphysical tradition, the film avoids Western-centric storytelling and offers a strong sense of cultural authenticity. However, the film adheres closely to traditional social hierarchies. The narrative is driven by patriarchal structures and male-dominated political maneuvering, offering limited opportunities for challenging gender norms. Ultimately, the film prioritizes historical realism and the exploration of power over contemporary diversity standards, resulting in a work that is culturally specific but socially conservative.

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Category Breakdown

Does Feng Shui have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film centers on traditional bloodlines and patriarchal structures. There are no clear representations of LGBTQ+ identities or narratives that challenge the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does Feng Shui portray gender?

Fair

Characters navigate political conflicts, but the main drivers of the plot hold traditional masculine roles. The central storyline focuses on male kingship and succession.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Feng Shui?

Excellent

The production showcases high cultural authenticity by emphasizing Korean metaphysical traditions. It presents a culturally specific worldview without Western-centric or exoticized storytelling.

How does Feng Shui represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative critiques how the pursuit of wealth and political status can lead to systemic ruin. It examines the moral compromises made in the quest for fortune.

Does Feng Shui include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no significant evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities playing central roles in the narrative.

Present on Screen

High levels of cultural authenticity through the use of Korean metaphysical traditions.
Avoids Western-centric storytelling by presenting a specific, non-exoticized worldview.
Provides a nuanced critique of how the pursuit of power and greed leads to ruin.

Limited or Absent

Lack of representation for LGBTQ+ identities or narratives that challenge the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.
Limited subversion of gender hierarchies, with most ability to act held by male characters.
Absence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Park Jae-sang was a royal geomancer, who helps people designate propitious site for houses, store and even graves under the belief that a grave in a good site will bring future fortune for descendants. But he loses his family because he exposed a conspiracy about crown Prince's grave site. Park Jae-sang plans to make a revenge of his family and learns that there is a much bigger conspiracy about propitious grave site; the place that would make grave owner's son the King of Joseon.

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