Volcano High

Volcano High

Volcano High promotional movie poster
Hangul 화산고
Hanja 火山高
Revised Romanization Hwasango
McCune–Reischauer Hwasan'go
Directed by Kim Tae-kyun
Produced by Cha Seung-jae
Written by Kim Tae-kyun
Seo Dong-heon
Jeong An-cheol
Starring Jang Hyuk
Shin Min-ah
Kim Su-ro
Kwon Sang-woo
Heo Joon-ho
Music by Park Young
Cinematography Choi Young-taek
Edited by Ko Im-pyo
Distributed by Cinema Service
Release dates
  • December 5, 2001 (2001-12-05)
Running time
 121 minutes
Country South Korea
Language Korean

Volcano High (Hangul: 화산고; RR: Hwasango) is a 2001 South Korean martial arts action comedy film.

It revolves around a troublemaking high school student named Kim Kyung-soo (portrayed by Jang Hyuk) who finds himself transferred to the last school that will take him, the prestigious Volcano High, an institution whose students display an incredible talent in martial arts, with a few demonstrating even more mysterious psychic powers. Kyung-soo is drawn into fights between different clubs, a manuscript that is told to hold great power, and a group of teachers that will do whatever possible to keep the students in line.

It was the 9th highest grossing Korean film of 2001 with 1,687,800 admissions nationwide.[1]

Prologue

17 years of feuding, sparked by the Great Teacher's Battle, has stripped authorities of their power, as self-indulgence, disguised as self-control, grips the student body. The schools have fallen into disarray. However, there is a legend. The one who acquires the Secret Manuscript will end the chaos. It is a legend that disrupts the Martial Court of Volcano High. Now, in the 108th year of Volcano...

Plot

Having been expelled from previous schools due to the lack of control of his powers, Kyung-soo is determined to graduate and attend Volcano High(the last school who will accept him). On his first day, he doesn't fit in due to him being an outsider and the only friend he makes are Shimma and Golbangi who warn him of Chae-yi's reputation as Icy Jade.

In another room, Hak-rim is seen using his powers to make a tea based antidote for the principal. He is able to prevent a fight between Kyung-soo and Jang Ryang(after the latter hated the smell of Fujian Tofu).

Meanwhile, trouble ensues with Vice Principal Hak-sa who is determined to be principal of Volcano High from the former headmaster and despite his fears of Jang Ryang, he enlists his help to frame famed martial arts student, Hak-rim, for stealing an ancient manuscript that is believed to help end the 17 years of feuding. However, he soon runs into several problems after successfully framing and imprisoning Hak-rim. The principal is not only alive, but is in a happy induced coma and adding to Hak-sa's problems is that the Dark Oxen gang having taken over the school.

Most students begin to believe Kyung-soo framed Hak-rim, despite his denial. However, Chae-yi believes him and tells her friend, Yo-seon that she suspects Ryang of framing Hak-rim. This is confirmed when Ryang shows up with intentions to make her, his queen so they could rule Volcano High together. Chae-yi refuses the offer and Kyung-soo tries to defend her. During a fight with Ryang, Kyung-soo is able to defeat him, but later is injured temporarily from the whole thing.

Realizing that Ryang could hinder his efforts to take control of Volcano High and prevent him from taking the manuscript, Hak-sa calls forth Mr. Ma and his gang known as the Five Teachers to help him retake control of the school. They succeed and begin punishing the students for minor infractions. Kyung-soo tries to avoid being in trouble at all times, afraid of the shame he could bring to his family if expelled one last time. However, Mr. Ma recognizes him from a previous school and this forces him to fight.

One day, Hak-rim and Kyung-soo meet in visitation and realizing he may be the students only chance to bring order into the school once more, he trains Kyung-soo to master his powers properly. Although, Kyung-soo refuses again, he slowly begins to realize he can't escape his fate and must help restore order in the school by finding the said manuscript. He begins to master his powers in the boys shower room and accidentally gets Chae-yi wet. However, by this time, she begins to have feelings for him and vice versa.

Ryang is angered by this, but more so with Hak-sa when he discovers what the vice-principal has done in recruiting the Five Teachers. He tries to remind him of their original deal, but Mr. Ma sends him away. Kyung-soo finally fights Mr. Ma during the climax of the film and after a lengthy battle is able to defeat him. Opening the box, Kyung-soo reveals there is no manuscript, but he was the one who was able to restore order in the school.

With that, the charges against Hak-rim are dismissed and he is set free. The principal is back to normal and is able to run the school again. Kyung-soo is able to fight Ryang fairly and win without worry of expulsion. Kyung-soo is finally able to graduate and make his family proud for once. Hak-sa is seen in the same induced coma after his loss of favor.

Cast and characters

Soundtrack

The movie released different soundtracks in South Korea, in Japan and in the US. The original Korean soundtrack was scored by Park Young and features mostly rock music, including two songs from Korean nu metal band R.F. Children. The Japanese soundtrack was written by Daita (former guitarist of Siam Shade), and is similar in style, with rock music. The US version is a completely altered version from the original featuring hip hop music.

American version

The American version of the film released in late 2003 was edited by MTV and featured voice acting by hip hop artists Snoop Dogg, Method Man, Lil' Jon, Big Boi, and Mýa.

This Kung Faux parody version of the film aired only on MTV.

Differences Between the Korean and American versions

American Korean
Nearly 30 minutes edited out with scenes rearranged to a running time of nearly 80 minutes. The movie is much longer with 122 minutes.
Song Hak-rim is imprisoned because Jang Ryang framed him for trying to poison the principal. Song Hak-rim is imprisoned because Jang Ryang framed him for trying to steal the manuscript.
The main plot involves 5 teachers who are sent to discipline the students. While this plot is still in the Korean version, the main plot is actually about a manuscript that is told to hold great power. Many want to know its location while the 5 teacher plot is actually a subplot.
Kyung-soo is portrayed as a daydreamer and his recurring dream is about a girl whom he meets in the forest. This girl is actually Shimma's fraternal twin sister and she sends him into the forest to seduce him to play rugby.
So Yo-seon is Song Hak-rim's girlfriend. So Yo-seon merely admires Hak-rim from a distance while writing letters he would never get to read.
Jang Ryang and Yoo Chae-yi used to date, but Chae-yi dumped him and Ryang hopes to get back together. The two were never together and Jang Ryang only confessed his feelings for her.
The music featured is popular hip hop released around the time this version came out. The music is mostly rock.
Volcano High is said to be located in the mountains of Kim Tae-kyun The location of Volcano High is never revealed and there is no such mountain called Kim Tae-kyun. This is actually the name of the director.
Kyung-soo willingly gives up his endurance contest with Jang Ryang and accidentally loses his fight with Jang Ryang Kyung-soo remembers his mother, father, and sister telling him to restrain himself during both of these incidents.

Comic

There is also a manhwa set before the movie called Volcano High Prelude. It was distributed in the United States by Media Blasters.

References

  1. ↑ "The Best Selling Films of 2001". Koreanfilm.org. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
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