A much publicized open casting of Hong Se-Mi as Choon-Hyang, plus a sneak preview for 10,000 patrons brought immediate notoriety to Kim Soo-Yong′s version. In addition, his film manages to showcase the exciting nature of Kim′s directing style in large screen format, with diversified camera movement and grand-scale sets and hundreds of extras featured in the scenes. His extensive use of Lord Byun′s repeated practice of arresting and releasing Choon-Hyang, in addition to his dialogue providing a realistic storyline, bring out a unique interpretation of the film′s narrative style. Originally planned to utilize the 70mm format, this was the last version of Choon-Hyang that converged the Korean cinematic trends of the late 50s into emerging trends of the 60s. With its outstanding production values, the film was a huge box office success, thus re-affirming the myth of Choon-Hyang′s unfailing popularity. (Kim Mee-Hyun)