Synopsis

Cast & Crew

Episodes

Reviews (5)

Set during a rain-soaked night in the Joseon Dynasty, *A Crimson Mark* unfolds a forbidden romance between two officials of vastly different ranks. A high-ranking chancellor, burdened by loneliness, recites a melancholic poem that reveals his secret longing for a lower-ranking scholar, Hong Hyeon. Their covert affair is fraught with danger, as societal norms and political consequences threaten to tear them apart. In just 13 minutes, this pioneering South Korean short film captures the tension of a clandestine love story, using poetic visuals and a single, powerful metaphor—a hickey, or 'crimson mark'—to symbolize the passion and peril of their relationship. A landmark in early Korean BL, it offers a rare glimpse into historical queer romance with a quiet, sensual intensity.

Jung Se Rin

Cast

Park Hyeon Jin

Cast

Lee Dong Kyu

Cast

Kim Dong Wook

Cast

Oh Dae Hwan

Cast

Historical

Cast

Short Film

Cast

Episode data is coming soon.

6.2

out of 10

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381

890

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badass_bunny_98

2025-06-12

10/10

I can't believe no one's reviewed this gem! It's the first Korean gay movie ever, and I'm blown away. The story feels so real—like something that actually could've happened in Joseon. Sure, the chemistry is a bit stiff, but you can tell the actors were risking everything. I rewatch it all the time when I need my live-action yaoi fix. Pure historical romance gold!

moonlight_grace

2025-09-28

9/10

This little film is so classy and sensual—the rain, the hanbok, the candlelit glances. Every frame is composed like a painting. The 'crimson mark' metaphor is brilliantly visual, representing both shame and desire. For a 13-minute short, it delivers more atmosphere than many full-length dramas. Only wish the music had matched the visuals, but the silent tension speaks volumes.

logic_over_feels

2026-01-15

7/10

I appreciate the historical novelty, but let's be real—this is more of a vignette than a movie. The pacing is rushed, the dialogue minimal, and the acting doesn't quite sell the deep connection. For a film about forbidden passion, there's almost no buildup. Still, it's worth a watch as a curiosity piece. The ending makes sense once you get the 'mark' symbolism.

ost_obsessive

2025-04-03

6/10

I honestly struggled with the music—or lack of it. The background score is almost nonexistent, with just a few repetitive notes that feel more like filler than atmosphere. For a romance so dependent on mood, a proper soundtrack would've elevated the tension tenfold. The visuals and story are fine, but my ears were left craving something memorable.

consent_crusader

2025-11-20

8/10

I admire how this film tackles power dynamics in a rigid hierarchical society. The chancellor holds all the cards—status, age, authority—yet the scholar's quiet defiance gives the affair a surprising balance. There's no coercion shown, only mutual, forbidden longing. For 2004 Korea, this is surprisingly progressive in portraying queer desire between unequals without romanticizing the power gap too much.