Detective K-secret Of Virtuous Widow -2011- Blu...
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track (Korean) is the highlight. The soundscape mixes period ambiance (crickets, rain on tiled roofs) with dynamic action sequences. Arrows whiz across channels, sword clashes are crisp, and the comedic sound effects (slaps, crashes) are punchy. The score by Hwang Sang-jun—a fusion of traditional Korean gugak and orchestral swells—benefits greatly from lossless audio.
The Blu-ray release (various distributors including Art Service and KD Media) offers a significant upgrade over DVD. Here’s what to expect:
| Actor | Role | Notable Traits |
|--------|------|----------------|
| Kim Myung-min | Detective K (Kim Min) | Genius, socially awkward, morally complex |
| Han Ji-min | Han Gaek-ju (the widow) | Elegant, mysterious, tragic |
| Oh Dal-su | Han Seo-pil | Comic relief, loyal sidekick |
| Lee Jae-yong | King Yeongjo | Wise but weary ruler |
Kim Myung-min’s portrayal is the film’s heartbeat. He captures a detective who is arrogant yet vulnerable, brilliant yet flawed. Han Ji-min shines as a widow who defies stereotypes — her performance elevates the film from a simple whodunit into a meditation on female autonomy in a patriarchal society.
What makes Secret of the Virtuous Widow stand out is its refusal to be boxed into one genre. Detective K-Secret of Virtuous Widow -2011- Blu...
Assuming you are looking at the 2012-2014 release from 5 Points Pictures (the primary distributor of Korean cinema in the US at the time) or the Korean import from Art Service Ltd:
Video: 4/5
Audio: 4/5
Extras: 2.5/5 (Disappointing)
Packaging: Standard Blu-ray case. The Korean import has nicer reversible cover art; the US 5 Points release has a slightly photoshopped-looking poster of K holding a magnifying glass.
English subtitles are well-translated, preserving most puns and cultural references. However, a few Joseon-specific terms (yangban, seowon) are left untranslated, which may confuse newcomers but pleases purists.
The Film: 3.5/5 (A Charming, Lightweight Period Romp)
Before Kim Myung-min became a household name for intense thrillers (Lawless Lawyer), he took on the role of Joseon-era’s quirkiest investigator in Detective K. Based on a Korean historical mystery novel, this film is essentially a period-piece buddy comedy wrapped in a murder mystery. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5
Plot in brief: In 1782, the brilliant but eccentric private detective K (Kim Myung-min) is hired to investigate a string of lucrative robberies. He soon discovers they are linked to a powerful nobleman’s death and a mysterious, reclusive widow. He is reluctantly joined by his bumbling, overly enthusiastic sidekick, Han Seo-pil (Oh Dal-su).
What works:
What doesn’t:
Verdict on the film: A very enjoyable, lightweight Saturday-night watch. It’s not a great detective film, but it’s a very good comedy-drama with detective trappings. If you like The Grand Heist or The King’s Case Note, you’ll feel at home. What makes Secret of the Virtuous Widow stand
