not sure why the other comment on this film be so negative and but i love this movie . i be a student of asian art with a particular love of korean art and culture and history . i think this movie borough a very controversial and interesting character to life . jang seung up be one of the ( maybe the most ) famous korean artist and continue to be revere a a master . give the tumult of the time in which he paint and his own conflicted nature and it be amaze that he produce so much work and in so many style and with such skill . this movie honor his talent while take a direct look at his erratic and somewhat self destructive personality . the cinematography in my opinion be beautiful and many of the outdoor panoramic shot look like korean landscape painting ( which i find a lovely conceit rather than overly arty ) and i think that choi min sik portray jang seun up with a necessary intensity and unpredictability . i would highly recommend this film to art lover and movie lover alike .