Watch The Last Princess

The Last Princess is a South Korean historical drama film released in 2016. Directed by Heo Jin-ho, the movie tells the true story of Princess Deokhye (played by Son Ye-jin), the last princess of the Joseon dynasty, who was forced to live in Japan during its colonial rule over Korea. The movie is set during the time period of 1925 to 1989 and depicts the life of Princess Deokhye from her teenage years until her later days. It starts with her life at the royal palace where she enjoyed a sheltered life as a princess. But when her father, Emperor Gojong, is assassinated and the Japanese take control of the country, everything changes for her. The princess, along with her siblings, is sent to Japan as hostages, where they are expected to live under Japanese rule and forget their Korean identities.

Undoubtedly, living in Japan away from her home country made Princess Deokhye feel alienated and alone. Speaking in Korean was prohibited in Japan, so she has to learn Japanese to communicate with her exiled family members as well as the Japanese authorities. The movie beautifully portrays her final wish to return to her homeland, where she could live as a Korean again.

Throughout the film, the Princess's longing to return home intensifies as she grows older. As she ages, she becomes much more solitary and melancholic, and the film reflects that through its cinematography and sound design. In the later years of her life, she meets Dr. Jeong (played by Park Hae-il), who becomes a beacon of hope and support for her. Their friendship blossoms, and Dr. Jeong is able to understand the Princess's loneliness and isolation. Park Hae-il's portrayal of a gentle and caring doctor was beautiful to watch.

One of the strongest aspects of the movie is a portrayal of the political situation during the Japanese occupation of Korea. The audience can feel how the Japanese were forcefully trying to assimilate Koreans into their culture, and how it affected the country at large. The Last Princess teaches us about the history of Korea while also incorporating elements of the individual stories of Princess Deokhye and Dr. Jeong. The powerful performance of Ra Mi-ran as the head of the Japanese police in charge of the royal family was exceptional.

The movie also shows how the Princess's life becomes influenced by the Korean independence movement that was taking place during those years. As Koreans were fighting for their independence, Princess Deokhye remained loyal to and missed her country deeply. She kept a small Korean flag in her pocket all the time, and the film shows how she's sustained by the hope of being able to return home someday.

The Last Princess emphasizes the theme of self-discovery and the search for identity. The Princess struggles with her identity throughout the movie. She finds it difficult to conform to the Japanese ways of living, but she also struggles to retain her Korean identity due to the fact that she's been away from Korea for too long. She finds herself caught in between two cultures, unable to fully assimilate into either one. This struggle adds depth and complexity to her character.

In conclusion, The Last Princess is an emotional movie that's beautifully executed. The pacing of the film has a few lulls, but it's a minor setback as the film's themes of national identity and the fight for freedom are more than enough to keep the audience's attention. With great performances by Son Ye-jin, Park Hae-il, and Ra Mi-ran, the movie captures the tragic beauty of one of the most heartbreaking stories in Korean history. The Last Princess compellingly portrays the life of an exiled princess, and how her legacy has become a significant part of both Korean and Japanese history.

The Last Princess is a 2016 action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 6 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.