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The celebrated Korean artist Angyeon attained recognition for painting the 600-year-long Joseon Dynasty in a number of key tableaux. One of the most legendary of his creations, "Byeokando," (a depiction of the Changdeok Palace Pond) disappeared in the Middle Ages along with Korean ruler Prince Anpyeong, but this feature saga -- a work of speculative imagination -- ponders what might happen if the long-thought-lost painting suddenly resurfaced in the early 21st century market. Here, the work crops up, and immediately after news of it hits, appraisers gauge its worth at around 40 billion won (or about 32 million U.S. dollars). A sexy yet Machiavellian young art mogul, Bae Tae-jin (Um Jung Hwa) who freely uses her body to obtain the "art exchanges" she so desires, comes out of the woodwork to claim it. This social-climbing opportunist sees in "Byeokando" the opportunity to conquer and become the toast of Insadong, Seoul's art district, but first she must enlist the aid of an art restorer, Lee Gang-jun -- a man still reeling from an art scandal that witnessed the media and the public slapping him with accusations of theft. He nevertheless consents to undertake the restoration of "Byeokando," with the price tag of one billion won and a sports car. As Lee settles into Bae's restoration lab and begins to work, and Bae engages in some slimy double-dealing involving the press and Japanese buyers, Lee begins to hatch some secret plans of his own for the painting's final destination. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
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