Suzy transforms into Joseon-era singer in Dorihwaga (Sound of a Flower)

55 November 2, 2015November 2, 2015

Suzy transforms into Joseon-era singer in Dorihwaga (Sound of a Flower)

by javabeans

Historical film Dorihwaga (English title: The Sound of a Flower), based on a true story about a famous pansori master and the pupil who becomes the country’s first official female pansori singer, is set to premiere later this month and recently released these promo posters and stills. The promos mostly feature the two leads, Ryu Seung-ryong (Roaring Currents, The Guest) and Suzy (Gu Family Book), and visually, everything certainly looks beautiful.

The film is set in the world of pansori, a traditional form of storytelling via song. The film takes place in 1867, at a time when only men were able to participate, though the heroine isn’t about to let that stop her from learning; the main copy on the posters tells us: “In a time when women could not do pansori, her sound begins.” The title Dorihwaga refers to the first-ever pansori school established in late Joseon, created by the film’s subject, pansori master and teacher Shin Jae-hyo (played by Ryu Seung-ryong), and is also the name of one of his songs.

In the teaser below, Ryu Seung-ryong explains a few of the key tenets of pansori: “It’s not something you hear, it’s something you see. As you watch, you laugh and cry and enjoy. It must become real through your heart!” Suzy states that she must become a singer, only to be told that there are rules: “Just as a man cannot wear a skirt, a girl cannot wear a topknot.” Next thing you know, Suzy is dressed in men’s garb with her hair in a topknot, singing pansori, and a man says her singing was quite all right after all.

This conflict of women being held down by traditional expectations or barred from learning has been a popular one in sageuks (Painter of the Wind, Sungkyunkwan Scandal), and when done well, it can produce something quite uplifting and inspiring. I’ll be hoping Dorihwaga can do the same; it releases on November 25.

Via TV Report

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Tags: Ryu Seung-ryong, Suzy

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1 whitewire

November 2, 2015 at 4:15 AM

It got me the moment Ryu Seung-ryong's name appeared. Man can do no wrong.

Also is that Kim Nam-gil? Omg Bidam!
(Tho I'm team Yushin-rang all the way)

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Hwari

November 2, 2015 at 4:31 AM

^You mean KNG in the poster of five people. That not him seated. He is Song Sae Byuk. KNG character is the King and he still not released yet.

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2 khali

November 2, 2015 at 5:52 AM

She is really pretty but she doesn`t really suit period costumes. Also her acting in a i trailer left a lot to be desired.

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changhyun

November 2, 2015 at 10:32 PM

-Costume looks great to me.

-It's a trailer...plus we know Suzy isn't a fantastic actress but she gets the job done. She's surrounded by an AMAZING cast so I'm sure they helped her out.

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3 pigsnout

November 2, 2015 at 5:56 AM

Ryu Seung Ryung looks great like always. Suzy won't even have to act, just look pretty since expectations from her acting are so low anyway.

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4 Kender

November 2, 2015 at 6:27 AM

I actually really like pansori as an art form. Every now and then I'll see a performance when I'm channel-surfing and end up getting sucked into it. It takes a lot of vocal control and is really impressive when done well.

Hopefully Suzy has been taking some acting classes since her last acting foray. Can anyone give any insight as to her vocal skill level? I know she's an idol, obviously, but does she have the kind of control over her voice that a role like this requires? I can probably forgive subpar acting if she nails the singing.

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fab

November 2, 2015 at 7:15 AM

She'll have to do a lot of playbacking, it's the acting that's crucial here.

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FerCG

November 2, 2015 at 9:44 AM

Whatever vocal skill Suzy possess, it will not transfer to her pansori (expect projection, I guess). The vocal techniques are so vastly different it'd be unfair to hold her to such high standar just because she is a singer, when in fact, it could very well be even harder for her because she IS a singer. Pansori singing technique basically ends up with you fucking up your vocal cords, to reach that 'unique' sound. That goes against everything she was probably taught, wich is, modern 'healthy' vocal technique. For her to sing pansori she'd have to sing 'wrong'. It's like someone telling you to ride your bike with your feet, after years of doing it 'right'.

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Nessie

November 2, 2015 at 11:57 AM

Suzy actually stated in an interview she hurt her vocals while trying to perfect the sound for the film. Regardless of how her acting his, I'm sure she tried her best.

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Hwari

November 2, 2015 at 8:06 PM

She took pansori classes from popular pansori singer for few months prior starting filming this movie.

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5 Kiara

November 2, 2015 at 6:53 AM

I see why they cast Ryu Seung-ryong here. So he can carry this movie. I guess it's worth giving it a try for Ryu and maybe Suzie will surprise me with something.

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6 genuinecity

November 2, 2015 at 7:10 AM

The movie stills are gorgeous! And so is Suzy--as always. The plot sounds interesting and I'm a total sucker for the whole cross dressing ploy, so that will be fun.

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7 gaeinalee

November 2, 2015 at 7:14 AM

Suzy.. *sigh*
She's a good dancer, not a strong singer, but seems she has a nice-sweet personality from IY that I watched few years ago. After watching her in several dramas and movie, in my pov, acting is not her forte. I do wish she'd proved me wrong in this movie since I love the rest of the casts and the story line..

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Chloe

November 4, 2015 at 4:12 AM

I do think she's quite a strong singer. But acting, as we all know by now, is certainly not her forte

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8 annflln

November 2, 2015 at 7:51 AM

Ryu Seung-ryong's name only will hook me up. I didnt expect much from Suzy tho, she's pretty...thats all.

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9 kororo

November 2, 2015 at 8:02 AM

Oh I was wondering when it would come out, from the teasers it looks like something I might really watch now. But what did they do to Suzy's neck in the first picture, it looks so long! Maybe it's just me ...^^

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10 Without my looks, I am nothing

November 2, 2015 at 8:03 AM

Need I say more?

?????

netizenbuzz(dot)blogspot.com.au/2015/11/suzy-struggles-to-explain-her-own-movie.html

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Ren

November 2, 2015 at 6:30 PM

smh Netizenbuzz is where all those psycho, uneducated kpop fanbrats hang out. Don't bring that delusional nonsense here.

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E.S

November 2, 2015 at 7:14 PM

Amen!!! *waves in agreement like an old church lady*

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11 alpha

November 2, 2015 at 8:58 AM

You are really using a netizenbuzz article to downgrade Suzy? She just made a small tongue slip between 'Yeoja' and 'Namja'. Just go watch the interview before you judge her. And gtfo if you are going to ruin this good website.

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12 Elianne

November 2, 2015 at 9:01 AM

I'm with you JB, if done right, a movie about women not conforming to traditional gender norms can be quite inspiring, and I'm looking forward to see if this one can hit the right balance and present a realistic (ish) portrayal of unconventional women in that time period without being too 'modern'.

Suzy fits surprisingly well in sageuk clothing; is it just me or does she look like Jung So Min in some angles?

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⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐

November 2, 2015 at 7:28 PM

I already noticed it before. they resemble little bit with each other

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kuromitsu

November 3, 2015 at 12:33 AM

In Gu Family Book I thought she was Jung So Min at first. Her acting there was the same as Jung So Min's in Mischievous Kiss. And they looked so much alike.

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13 mamamia

November 2, 2015 at 9:20 AM

From what I see from teaser and still, Suzy doesn't looks as bad as people claim here though.

The movie looks quite interesting to me.

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14 Ananta

November 2, 2015 at 9:53 AM

I wish they did more dramas like these about common people, culture and arts. I loooooove historical dramas, but not the ones that are so heavy on politics... i also don't really like movies but this one has the same feeling as the kind of dramas i like so i'll definitely check it out.

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15 Iheartdramas

November 2, 2015 at 10:20 AM

Suzy is pretty like a next door pretty. She dances well, sings decently but not strong, and as for acting.....lots of growing needed. But she is pretty and well like by most and loved by Korean mass.

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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉

November 2, 2015 at 10:28 AM

No one would really mind if she stuck to singing and dancing, but the problem is that her agency insists on marketing her as an actress when she simply doesn't have any talent for it.

And from the little I've seen of her interviews, she's a nice girl but doesn't seem to have much going on upstairs. That's not a good sign for a wannabe actress.

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Chen

November 2, 2015 at 3:48 PM

you need to chill on the comment section and I see you targetting for no reasons and saying he dosen't have no talent? thats bs and you know it because her resume suggest something different

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Chen

November 2, 2015 at 3:49 PM

*she

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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉

November 2, 2015 at 6:23 PM

If you can't deal with criticism of your fave's lack of talent as shown in her poor acting performances, dramabeans is not the place for you.

And her resume is pretty much a testament to how far you can get in Korea with the right looks and image management, not talent lol.

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juniper

November 2, 2015 at 8:25 PM

Chen

November 3, 2015 at 1:46 AM

who are you to tell me where to be or not?

your generally vicious on these comment sections and I have been watching your movements around here.

I have no idea how your freely run around here.. your emotional poster and far from subjective in most of your posts

⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐

November 2, 2015 at 7:34 PM

pogo, i have been thinking the same for so long.

The idols like her sure quite pitiful, maybe they don't want to become actors, what they love are singing and dancing, but their agency..... sigh*
I blame the agency because pressuring them for the purpose of marketing. They are few idols who are actually quite good and talented. Sadly, Suzy is not a good actress. Not her fault, she certainly trying her best but the result is not that good.

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⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐

November 2, 2015 at 7:36 PM

*There are

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Aumentum

November 4, 2015 at 3:02 PM

What do you know? You're just an insignificant drive-by commenter who consumes media from a foreign county because it brings joy to your otherwise mundane existence.

Women are so transparent. Just admit her beauty is pissing you off so we can all just brush off your replies as the ramblings of a bitter crone.

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Steph

November 16, 2015 at 1:43 AM

lmao pogo was just giving an opinion that wasn't even hostile and you're bringing in personal attacks and assuming things about their life. I like Suzy as a person and I like Miss A, but she IS a bad actress. I don't know why people can't say that without others insinuating that they're just jealous or petty.

Well, at least we can just brush off your replies as the ramblings of an obnoxious misogynist.

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16 pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉

November 2, 2015 at 10:25 AM

Ryu Seung-ryung can pretty much carry this entire movie on his own.

As for Suzy, well, the standard is set so low that her so much as managing to speak a line onscreen will probably be taken as a sign of great acting genius where another rookie actress might have been torn to shreds for the same level of performance.

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17 Iheartdramas

November 2, 2015 at 10:41 AM

Lol. Sad but very true unfortunately.

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18 jam

November 2, 2015 at 11:06 AM

The stills are so pretty! Not an avid fan of Suzy's acting either, but I'm hoping she can prove me wrong with this one. On the other hand...have they released KNG's stills yet? Cus I'm all for him <3

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19 IceCream

November 2, 2015 at 12:32 PM

Dont made people laugh at you by posting dumb troll, when you havent watch the whole video. XD

Ryu seung Ryong will carry the movie, okey who didnt know him, who did know his super acting. But without good writer and PD you are nothing. So i would like to say, Succes dorihwaga team.

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20 Aida

November 2, 2015 at 12:35 PM

These are some serious looking stills....looks like a drama where they take things seriously. The costumes, settings and styling look to be on point. Put in a riveting male lead, and this just might be my go-to sageuk next to Merchant.

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21 earthna

November 2, 2015 at 6:48 PM

So excited fir this! I hope the whole movie will be good like the teaser.

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22 liz

November 2, 2015 at 10:02 PM

lol I don't understand.

Some actresses that are just as bad as Suzy don't get this much hate. Must be because Suzy hit big and people want her to go down.

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Aumentum

November 4, 2015 at 3:17 PM

It's because she's pretty girl. That's it.

I swear women are their worst enemies.

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Merong

November 5, 2015 at 9:47 AM

Oh, gag me. A woman can criticize another woman without it coming from a place of pettiness and jealousy, and men are no less guilty of either of those emotions. Sit down with these stupid sexist generalizations.

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Aumentum

November 6, 2015 at 1:53 PM

Rarely. There's always a motive.

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Steph

November 16, 2015 at 1:48 AM

Nah, I think you're just a misogynist. Women know women better than men ever will.

23 Mshll

November 2, 2015 at 11:35 PM

I don't think Suzy acting is bad. I just finish watching Gu Family Book (I watch GFB because of father gumiho was good looking) a week ago and i appreciated her expression and acting on a drama. She even made me cry on some part . . specially on the ending part on her dying time I think I cried more. I'm not her fan for watching GFB but I think I start liking her . I'm a fan of father gumiho but I never get bored watching the whole drama even on his absence on some episode. I usually myself can only watch up to 4-5 episode of a drama never finish watching it. Like yong pal I find it interesting on the beginning and been addicted to main actor but when the main actress walk up and start walking I found the story getting boring so i go back to watch Hollywood movie instead. ALTHOUGH I read the ending of the story here in dramabean. This is base on my own opinion only.

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Chloe

November 4, 2015 at 4:16 AM

I like suzy so although I feel that she has not acted well so far, I am definitely ready to give her another chance in this upcoming series!

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24 geenah

November 3, 2015 at 2:39 PM

Lord have mercy! Why Suzy? What does she know about acting? And to have the great Ryu Seung-ryung's in the same drama , it will all be RSR who will be seen!

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25 mindy

November 3, 2015 at 4:51 PM

Loved that trailer. Overly dramatic with sweeping music. My kind of style!

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26 qwertisme

November 3, 2015 at 5:38 PM

Idk what happen with people nowdays, why you guys hate suzy so much, i know she's lack on the acting side but she work her ass off, and you telling her to stop acting and focusing to dancing and singing, this is insane! you start assuming that it is the agency's thing that wants to promote her as an actor. I don't think so yes suzy is crying because she doesnt want to act when she's filming dream high but now she really loves acting she even pick her project carefully,

Why Kim Tae Hee got praise when her acting skill is terrible but suzy only got hate?
And in this case they skill is similar so why one got praise and the other got hate?

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C

November 3, 2015 at 5:57 PM

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27 newgirl

November 3, 2015 at 10:47 PM

The thing I like best about Dramabeans is that it has opened a whole new world to me. I had never heard of pansori singing until now. So I went to YouTube and watched a couple of hours of it, and fell in love with it. It seems to share elements found in traditional Italian opera, native american ceremonial singing and the "crying" tonality of blues and jazz singing. I think I will enjoy this movie if it teaches me more about the art form. Thanks, javabeans!

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Steph

November 16, 2015 at 1:52 AM

this is the best comment on the entire article. so optimistic, so free from conflict.

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