"The Promise" US version vs. the original

Although "The Promise" US public release has been postponed indefinitely, Chinese DVDs are already available everywhere on-line.  So there appears an interesting discussion on the net among fans who have watched U.S. version and the original Chinese version, to compare and find out what elements were cut off in the shortened U.S. edition.  I note here that there is only one person in the discussion who watched the US version (vs. several Chinese version viewers) so the analysis may be a little bit skewed.

The impression of the Chinese version, many people say, is "art, legend and humor" - neo-Asian seirous-cartoon super-hero story, whether in good or bad manner (aside from the CGI part that gets a poor rating across the board).  To my Japanese eyes, this type of crossroads of seriousness-humor combination is often seen in J-dramas or Kabuki, and I actually didn't get bothered too much by that, but it may look just silly and low-grade to the U.S. audience.  So I guess the Weinsteins cut out the "humor" part, to make it looking more like a serious "HERO" -type movie.

In comparison, the key element that was shortened seems to be the "love-sickened General" in the middle part.  It is still there, but some key scenes seem to be absent from the US version.  That part, where Hiroyuki Sanada shows off his comedy-pathos-silliness acting ability, is a key to understand the General's chracter transformation.  Therefore, the US version viewer did not get the whole picture of the General's side of the story, and could not sypmathize with the General.

The original story is the interwined growth/transformation tale of the General and the Slave, but without that middle part, the Slave becomes the only consistent hero.  He also gets more screen time in propotion.  It just looks like Jang Don-kun's movie.

I understand that they release the US version in Korea.  No wonder.  And in Japan, of course they show the original version.  No wonder.

Which version is better depends on your taste, so I don't make any judgement here.  But if the above IS the fact -  I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Sanada is unhappy with the U.S. version.