THE SWORD OF ARAMUN
THE SENSUAL
PHALLIC-LACED
MYTHOLOGICAL
EPIC MASTERPIECE
CEMENTS
THE IMAGE
OF
THE
PHENOMENAL
ACTOR
LEE JOON
GI
WHO
PORTRAYS
ARAMUN AND SAYA
AS
A WEAPON
OF
MASS SEDUCTION
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I know what you are thinking.
Phallic symbols or images are outrageously obscene. But you are dead wrong. In
ancient history, phallic monuments or statues related to deities have sacred,
divine and protective meanings. TVN’s 2023 The Sword of Aramun, which stars the
extraordinary Lee Joon Gi as Aramun and Saya, the identical twins, have many
such images or imagery that makes the mythological television series so extraordinarily
sensual and absolutely divine. The sensual masterpiece also cements Lee’s
image as a weapon of mass seduction.
   The Sword of Aramun is not
just a war epic – it’s a ritual dance of gods and mortals, where swords,
arrows, obelisks and other phallic symbols pulse with primal energy. Phallic
imagery is used to great advantage to create a highly-charged, mythic
atmosphere. Impressive action scenes with stylized battles, close combat and
one-on-one-duels carry an erotic image. The sensual masterpiece engages the senses
and the subconscious. Although it is not overtly sexual, the audience can feel
the intoxicating, hypnotic emotions because of the presence of the seductive
Lee Joon Gi.
The way Kim Kwang Sik, the
director and Choi Chan Ming, the cinematographer (Kim Young Hyun and Park Sang
Yeon, the screenwriters) frame the images and the way the inimitable Lee Joon
Gi showcases the sensual imagery make the storytelling startlingly unique and
extremely exciting. The television series, with phallic undertones, is seduction wrapped in sexy battle
attire and a divine prophecy.
The Sword of Aramun has been
described as an epic - a grand sweeping mythological story with large-scale
wars, with the incredible actor, Lee Joon Gi playing dual lead roles as the
reincarnation of Aramun Haesulla (and Inaishingi) and also, Saya, the
anti-hero, Aramun’s twin brother.  Various interpretations come
to mind when we talk about the title, The Sword of Aramun. Lee Joon Gi plays
the Reincarnation of the deity, Aramun Haesulla. In this context, The Sword
can mean that the Reincarnation of Aramun is the metaphorical Instrument
of War of the original Aramun Haesulla, the god of Arthdal. As the instrument
of that god, the Reincarnation wields power to enforce justice. But The
Sword, can also mean the physical iron sword of the Reincarnation.
 The phallic symbols - symbols of male domination, power, political
authority, are used in The Sword of Aramun to echo how the mythological
Arthdal culture embeds sexuality into identity, religion, politics and war. The
phallic imagery serves as a subtle yet powerful symbol of masculinity, power
and dominance in the warring cultures.
In the Sword of Aramun, the towering Great Gochiju Rock with fingers clutching it is a very clear and explicit phallic symbol. While not always explicit, the phallic symbols are woven into the fast-moving narrative to reinforce the themes that are central to the story – religion, power, dominance, masculinity and the warrior spirit. The colossal Statue of Aramun Haesulla, the original god of Arthdal, straddling Kanmoreu, his rearing horse by the beach; the obelisk in Arthdal; and the physical iron Sword of Aramun may not be explicit phallic symbols. But, the way they are framed by the director and the cinematographer, and Lee Joon Gi's intriguing portrayal make them phallic symbols. The symbols subtly reinforce the image of Aramun’s dominance, military strength, heroic masculinity and personal conquest. THE GREAT GOCHIJU ROCK
 The Great Gochiju Rock is an explicit example of a phallic
symbol. The worship of the phallus is demonstrated by the many worshippers on
the beach where the Great Gochiju Rock is located. 
In Episode 8 of the television series, Taealha narrates the
history of the Hae tribe to Saya against the background of the great Gochiju
Rock which rises like an ominous pillar from the sea.  Many in the audience may have noticed the Great Gochiju Rock by the sea but did not realise that it is a phallic
symbol of the erect human phallus. But, what is even more intriguing is there are
fingers holding it. It is open to interpretation.
What is the message conveyed by those who had created such a
structure? Can we decode the message? Is the crude structure disguised to
eloquently narrate a story?
The finger patterns are also inscribed on the pendant given to
Saya by the Neanthals, a rough, primitive race.  Near the towering Great Gochiju Rock is the statue of
Aramun Haesulla, the god of Arthdal, seated on a rearing horse which had been
erected on a much smaller rock.   Queen Taealha and Saya, the twin brother of Aramun, who is also portrayed by Lee Joon Gi, discuss their plan to destroy Tagon. Taealha also confides that Mihol, her father, and also, Sanung, Tagon’s
father, and also, Tagon are cruel, domineering male figures. They are brutal
male chauvinists and domineering tyrants who oppress and take advantage of the
helpless women in their lives.
Mihol, the ambitious hard-hearted head of the Hae tribe, treated
her like his chattel. He had not only compelled her to spy on King Sanung,
Tagon's despotic father, but also forced her to provide Sanung with sexual
favours. The tyrannical and ruthless Tagon also took advantage of her before he
turned against her.
The phallic symbol, the Great Gochiju Rock represents them;
it is a symbol of male domination, power, and political authority.
 Taealha plans to carry out the uprising on the night Gilseon embarks on the war against the Ago Alliance.
‘Let’s do it on the night Gilseon goes to war.’
  THE OBELISK
In Episode 3, the scene in
which Aramun and Tanya are locked in a tense gaze against a background with an
obelisk wedged between them is startling sensual. There is sexual tension in
the scene. The monument with a tall, upright long sharp
edge can definitely be interpreted as a phallic
symbol. Sharp edges or tips emphasize penetration, a key part of phallic
symbolism.
Aramun (Eun Seom) is reunited with Tanya but his beloved fails to
recognise him. Hypnotized and
mesmerized by her charm and beauty, he stares at her. Eun Seom is not often at
the loss of words but at that moment, he couldn’t muster any words to express
himself. His raging hormones are telling on him. Hypnotized and
mesmerized, he continues to stare at her. His eyes have that longing look and
his heart is hammering against his chest. It seems to him the world around
them has disappeared. Only the two of them exist. A pool of emotions
overwhelms him. He has missed her badly. The feelings which he has held
restrained now flood his face. The tension is unbearable.
How could she not recognise him? Time stands still for a moment. Both stand gazing at each other
as if drawn magnetically together by the tall monument in the background.
The director has deliberately
designed the monument, an obelisk, a phallic symbol for the scene to underline the
theme of masculine and sexual energy.
  There are many other compositions in The Sword of Aramun that are absolutely amazing and
this image is one of them. ARAMUN
HAESULLA AND HIS HORSE
Aramun himself is a phallic
symbol, so is his horse and his sword, The Sword of Aramun. There are 2 important images:
one is the monument of the deity, Aramun Haesulla on his horse by the beach,
and the other which mirrors the monument, is that of his Reincarnation played
by Lee Joon Gi straddling his rearing horse.
THE
STRADDLING POSE
Not every horse in The Sword of Aramun is a phallic symbol. The
image of the hero, the Reincarnation of Aramun, who mounts and straddles his powerful
stallion, carries strong sexual symbolism. Straddling the horse implies sexual
positioning.
The way Aramun grips, mounts, straddles and controls the horse
and how Helper (Kanmoreu) the horse responds can symbolically echo sexual
dynamics. The horse, a phallic symbol, and the straddling pose mirrors sexual
positions, and the act of control signifies mastery, virility and dominance. 
A Different Perspective. Heroic horsemen are usually filmed from
many angles but not from the back when mounting their horses.
Aramun, played by Lee Joon Gi, is a visual feast even in
silhouette as the cinematographer films him as he powerfully mounts and
straddles his stallion, the divine horse, Helper (Kanmoreu). Filmed sideways
showing his sexy back, he looks powerful, primal and super sexy even in
silhouette, against the bright sun.   In the battles or chases in The Sword of Aramun, the thrusting motion of horse riding (especially in slow motion or
close-up) with Aramun seated on it, mimics sexual rhythm or aggression and metaphorically
mirrors the phallic act.
Through framing, the director
and the cinematographer have allowed the audience to see Aramun and his horse as a
symbol for masculine power, sexuality and control. This is also a powerful image.
THE ARROW  Aramun, the lead character, is depicted amidst various
phallic symbols, including dramatic shots of bows and arrows, including flying whistle
arrows, silhouetted against the sky, symbolizing a
thrust of phallic energy.
In one battle scene, Aramun leaps in the air to shoot his arrow.
The dynamic and powerful image emphasizes the character's authority and skill, and the message of male
power and masculinity.
 The long, straight shaft and pointed tip naturally resembles a human phallus. The act of shooting an arrow - launching it forward with force and penetration can metaphorically suggest sexual penetration. Arrows are traditionally weapons associated with male prowess, strength, and dominance.  In another scene, Aramun, seated on Helper, his divine stallion, which
rears high in the air is a powerful metaphor for sexual vitality and heroic
strength. Aramun instructs his heavenly stallion to rise in the air and divinely
command the enemy horses on the battlefield not to fight the Ago warriors but
follow him back to the Ago camp. When the stallion rears high, it symbolizes that Aramun is overflowing
with sexual energy, vitality and power. It echoes the sexual arousal
process — rising
tension and impending release.     THE SWORD OF ARAMUN
Aramun's sword is one of the most iconic and powerful phallic symbols in The Sword of Aramun. The sword represents physical power and military strength and Aramun wields his sword as an emblem that he is the Reincarnation of Aramun Haesulla and the rightful god and king of Arthdal. The physical Sword of Aramun has spiritual and mystical power. It
represents
a connection between Aramun, the Reincarnation, and Aramun Haesulla, the divine
diety and is a reminder of the Reincarnation’s destiny and legitimacy. Aramun’s sword can be interpreted as a phallic
symbol as the sword’s long, straight, pointed shape evokes the male phallus. It
represents masculine strength, dominance and sexual potency. As a weapon, the
iron sword is linked to war, conquest, power and protection.  Plunging the sword into the
stump of the Zelkova Tree can symbolize Aramun’s awakening
of his true self or destiny. It is a sensual image.
   Eun Seom switches from his role as Inaishingi, the leader the Ago Alliance with a bronze sword to his new role as the Reincarnation of Aramun Haesulla, the god of Arthdal and the wielder of the divine iron sword.   
As Aramun Haesulla raises his sexy bulging arm, the ladies in the
audience must have gasped and swooned. The scene is breathtakingly impressive as the red fern-like
Lichtenberg Figures streak through his arm after a lightning strike. The end
of the story also shows him lifting his impressive arm to exert his image as
the King of Arthdal. Women are obsessed with his sexy arm; it is one of their
guilty pleasures.   All the phallic symbols and imagery discussed make the sensual and unique mythological epic a sensational television masterpiece. And Lee Joon Gi’s sex appeal explodes and further cements his status as a heartthrob icon. It isn’t just his sexy image and appearance that makes him a symbol of seduction and admiration and respect; it is a combination of charisma, confidence, charm, his magnificent and impressive emotional portrayal of Aramun and Saya, the identical twins; and his spectacular action stunts that make him a sensation. The versatile actor, a heartthrob powerhouse, has surpassed any other actor to become the top global actor with real acting and action talent, and sex appeal. Lee Joon Gi is a weapon of mass seduction.      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCxBTO65MjE&ab_channel=DefinitelyEntertaining
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