Sa Bang-ji(1988)

Sa Bang-ji Synopsis

Sa Bangji was an intersex person who according to historical records lived during Korea’s Joseon Dynasty. Taken in by a kindly benefactor, Sa Bangji lives in a monastery that is one day visited by a young widow, Lee So-sa, who is in mourning following the death of her husband. The pair’s meeting seems predestined, with the erotic attraction between Sa Bangji and Lee So-sa soon evolving into something far more transcendent – and dangerous. While aspects of the film – its stylised depiction of female actors and sex – identify it as a product of its time, Sa Bangji is undeniably a milestone in screen representations of intersex people, a film that refuses to shy away from the horrendous stigmatization faced by its titular character.

Sa Bang-ji (1988) is a drama, romance and history film directed by Song Gyeong-sik, released on October 29, 1988 with a runtime of 1h 34m. It stars Lee Hye-young, Bang Hee, Kwak Jeong-Hee and Park Am. Viewers rate it 6.6 out of 10 across 5 ratings.