Two films directed by King HU -LEGEND OF THE MOUNTAIN and RAINING IN THE MOUNTAIN - were simultaneously made in Korea in 1979. HU’s wife, professor ZHONG Ling adapted LEGEND OF THE MOUNTAIN from the popular Song Dynasty fiction A PACK OF GHOSTS IN XISHAN. This movie is about a scholar’s paranormal adventure. HU had the plot unfolding merely in a dream.

HU not only directed but also wrote the screenplay of RAINING IN THE MOUNTAIN. He intended to pass on to the public the message about the existence of internal power struggle among followers of a religion.

The filming of the two films proceeded smoothly in Korea because ancient Korean architecture as seen in the palaces, city gates, city walls, temples and houses of the common people bears resemblance to ancient Chinese traditional architecture. Besides, the productions were joint ventures with a Korean film distributor. Location shootings took place at the Gyongbokkung Palace in Seoul, Namhansanseong, Ancient City of Suwon, Korean Folk Village, Mt. Seorak, Bulguksa in South Gyeongsang Province, Ancient Capital of Gyeongju, the ancient temple in Daegu City, the rock land and the seashore in Busan City, as well as Jeju Island.

As the shooting of scenes from the two films took place on the same set, the cast members sometimes had to switch roles instantly as required by the two different movies.

The shooting started in Seoul in August. Filming continued till the end of the year. To avoid the snow scene in winter, the whole crew moved to Bulguksa in South Gyeongsang Province, and Ancient Capital of Gyeongju to continue filming. After six months of hard work, the director decided to give the cast and crew a break, sending them home to Taiwan and Hong Kong to celebrate Chinese New Year with their families. Everybody returned to Korea to resume shooting in April of the following year. This time, the work lasted for another six months. In total, I had lived in Korea for 355 days; only 10 more days and I would have completed a year’s stay.

Many years after that, director HU and I found ourselves chatting after dining. He suddenly came up with an idea, saying: “SHIH Jung, if we are going to shoot another period film, let’s do it in Korea again.” I was totally taken aback for a long time by what he said.

It was after shooting PAINT SKIN in China that he told me his idea. I supposed that HU was more satisfied with and preferred the historical sites and sceneries in Korea, as well as the cast and crew there.

SHIH Jung