Nothing Ventured...

Pisces (2000)

2011-01-15T11:06:00.005-07:00

((summary taken from MyAsianCinema))

For Aeryeon (played by veteran actress Lee Miyeon), a video shop owner, her only friends are movies and a couple of tropical fish she raises in the shop. The other joy of hers is to select quality videos for her customers, which is interpreted as part of her effort to overcome solitude. Then one day comes attractive and handsome Dongseok, a lover of French movies and music. From that time on, she waits for him every day. She hears from him that he composes music and prepares to release an album in order to make a debut as a singer, but has been rejected many times by producers. Although she confesses her love to him, he says he has a girlfriend to marry. Aeryeon meets Dongseok’s girlfriend and tells her, “You can meet other boyfriends than Dongseok. But for me, Dongseok is the only lover. Please leave him.”

Pisces is the 12th sign of the zodiac, represented by two fish, and believed to affect the character and life of people born between Feb. 21 and March 20. For the people of Pieces, love never stops, even at the face of rejection. If it stops, it is not love. The color of blue and yellow appears alternately in this film, with jazz music as the backdrop. The film has something that touches viewers’ heartstring, more so than other films of its kind. Newcomer director Kim Hyeongtae superbly portrays the psychology of a female character abandoned by her love.

Download: Asia Torrents , My Asian Cinema

My Rating:

Honestly, I think I missed something.

I've read the movie description, read viewer comments . . . and I couldn't disagree with them more. This movie is about a love that is SO obsessive, so unhealthy, that it literally made me uncomfortable to watch. It's a HORRIBLE love that should never see the light of day - Pisces, or no.

My problem? The ending ruined it.

Below, I'm going to start a rant that is filled with spoilers. . . so in case you want to go into this film completely blind, look away now.

Spoilers start now.

Okay . . . I just don't understand how people can be touched by the big revelation in the video tape (aka, that she knew him before opening the video store). First of all, by this point, she's proven beyond a doubt that she's crazy. If a guy had pulled all the crap that she did, we'd be cheering at the end when the stalkee finally stabs him with a knife. So, really, what did it prove? Besides the fact that she was crazy from the very beginning, and that everything we knew about her was possibly a lie...

Case in point: The narrator (Ae-ryun) is unreliable. In order to move her shop so close to his apartment, she would've had to research where he lives. And are we to believe, considering the depth of her obsession, that she simply stopped at his address? The fish, the movies, the music, Kurt Cobain - how much of that was *her* and how much was her simply trying to impress him? It made me question whether or not we really knew her at all. Was the sweet, unassuming shop-owner we met at the beginning the REAL Ae-ryun, or was it the fearless, no-nonsense, crazy girl who'd walk calmly through traffic without a second glance? Because the end made me think it's the latter. And my sympathy and connection was with the *former*. The fact is we just don't know.

And in the final scene, when Dong-suk storms to her video store... I didn't get the impression that he was there for some big love-confession, but rather, had realized their entire relationship was based on a lie. He was there to *confront* her about it, and to hear the truth from her directly - not ask her out on a date. The end then, is sad not because their love couldn't be, but because she was unable to move on. She succumbed to her insanity, and chose to cling to the one "perfect" moment in their past; just like the movie she had recommended in the beginning. Sad, maybe. But only tragic for her poor brother - the one she REALLY left behind.

So... ARE we supposed to sympathize with her plight? Because honestly, as harsh as it sounds, I don't. I felt more sympathy for the poor fish she crushed, and I don't even like fish! And yet, if this movie had ended WITHOUT the big pointless twist, I might have actually felt bad for her. Yes, love DOES make people do crazy things... but there are some lines you just don't cross, and Ae-ryun crossed them all.

*deep breath*

Okay, end rant. Spoilers finished.

The film's saving grace is that it does do an excellent job of playing with the zodiac, and embodying the romantic spirit of Pisces. In fact, it would be interesting to see how ALL the zodiac signs would've handled a similar situation had they been in her place. Who knows, maybe my lack of sympathy comes from the Taurus in me, and the fact that a stubborn bull would hardly go to such lengths when pursuing a guy. My movie-version would've been much shorter: "You don't like me? Okay, then. I'll move on. Have a nice life."

And yet, the film almost depends too strongly on the Pisces-centric theme: something that's lost on most casual viewers like me, who have no knowledge or understanding of zodiac-driven-character-traits. Besides, it's not like one particular sign can truly sum up an entire group of people: This could've easily existed without the zodiac reference, and the end-result would've been the same. At its core, it's nothing but a simple, overemotional, unrealistic tragedy.

Maybe it's just me . . . but in my romances, I like having a character that's easy to cheer for. And in this movie, I just didn't get it.

Poetry (시)

2010-11-06T09:33:00.038-06:00

((summary taken from AsianMediaWiki))

An elderly lady in her 60's (played by Jeong-hee Yun) works as a caregiver for a disabled man & raises her grandson alone. She has to endure the onset of Alzheimer's disease and also learns that her grandson was one of the attackers of a junior high school girl that committed suicide. Through all of this and to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a poet the elderly woman starts to take a poetry class and composes poems ...

Download: Asia Torrents , Yellow Cinema

My Rating:

This was a brilliant film.

Before I start raving though, I should probably throw in the standard disclaimer that not everyone will enjoy this. For one thing, it's more art-house than popcorn-cinema, and has plenty of awards to back it up. So if you're looking for action, thrills, or romance, you're not going to find it here.

What you WILL find is an extremely strong character-driven story, with heart, depth, and a beauty that manages to be both understated and pronounced - through the use of lighting, dialogue, and cinematography. Another interesting element is how this movie doesn't include a soundtrack. Instead, it relies entirely on natural sounds like birds, traffic, rain, running water, a church choir, etc . . . yet it fits so flawlessly into the film that it's virtually unnoticeable (I didn't realize it myself until after the movie was over.)

But the main draw of course is the story: From the very beginning, it draws you in and never really lets you go. . .

Even though the plot itself may be common and predictable (especially the role the grandson plays in the girl's suicide) the way it eventually unfolds is not. Though the grandmother is a fully-realized character, most of her inner turmoil and dialogue is hidden from the viewer, leaving us to question her own motives and state of mind until the end. We know she sympathizes with the girl (and of the guilty party, she seems to be the only one who does) but what she intends to do about it remains a mystery. Oftentimes we're made to wonder if her lapse in memory is a result of her worsening Alzheimer's, or simply a construct of her poetic soul (personally, I'm inclined to believe the latter, though it's more than likely a little of both.)

One of my favorite scenes was when she found the crushed apricots on the way to talk to the victim's mother. Though she was supposed to bring up the hush money that would help save her grandson, she became so entranced by the image of the apricots that she completely forgot why she had sought the woman out in the first place . . . and even after remembering, she kept right on walking away; as though afraid to bring up such an ugly topic after such a pleasant encounter. It was a wonderful compliment to the earlier scene, when she walked out of the cafe to look at the flowers after learning of her grandson's transgression. Though her worsening Alzheimer's could be to blame, it's also possible that it was just a coping mechanism and a way for her to escape; a way to remind herself that there was still beauty in the world, and that poetry was one way of bringing it to the surface. . .

Mi-ja (the grandmother) is so easy to care and sympathize with, that's it's easy to watch the story unfold completely through her eyes. Her approach to poetry is so pure and innocent; it's a wonderful contrast to the upheaval her grandson's actions create. I really love how she doesn't let her pain color her words and make them harsh and dark - instead, she focuses on the beauty in the world, rather than condemning it. I LOVE where she ultimately finds inspiration for her poem, and how rewarding the outcome is because of it - especially in a world where the truth can be so easily buried by money, and corruption is encouraged rather than condemned. In the end, everything really comes together, and there isn't a single wasted scene, character, or line of dialogue.

I'd like to think that most people can relate to Poetry on a very basic level, even if it's something as simple as recalling a beautiful memory in the past, or admiring the beauty of nature that we never took the time to notice before. It's about love, regret, and longing - and finding the poet in all of us, no matter how difficult the journey may be.

So really, watch this. Just make sure you have a tissue handy - cause if you're anything like me, you're going to need it. ;)

Death Bell 2: Bloody Camp

2010-10-09T13:36:00.007-06:00

((summary taken from Asia Torrents))

Death Bell 2: Bloody Camp / Gosa 2

Se-hee is haunted by her step sister Tae-yeon who used to be a promising swimmer but suddenly killed herself in a swimming pool 2 years ago. During the summer vacation, she joins the study camp at school for upcoming college entrance exam with other 30 elite students. On the first night, when Se-hee finds a riddling passage scribbled in the desk, she soon sees a dead girl’s body hung upside down. Then the TV monitors are on and the students watch another friend crushed by his bike in the corridor. Since then, the succession of cruel killings occurs whenever they fail to answer the given questions in time. Meanwhile, the hidden truth behind Tae-yeon’s suicide is slowly revealed and terrified students struggle to undo the puzzle before they become the next victim.

Download: Asia Torrents , Jdramas at Livejournal

My Rating:

While I'll admit to liking this Death Bell installment a bit more than the first, in many ways it still suffers from the same problems that plagued its predecessor: For one thing, there's nothing new here that hasn't been done before. The plot is tired and cliche, and once again takes a promising premise (brilliant kids racing against a clock to save their classmates) and reduces it to a predictable and disappointing revenge flick.

Sure, it's okay as far as revenge films go . . . but it's definitely no Kill Bill or Oldboy.

The problem, I think, is that this franchise has no idea how to make an intriguing villain. Rather than be original, they just keep combining and borrowing different elements from other genres: We get the angry, vengeful ghost, the evil slasher-killer, and the wronged human who's out for revenge. It's like forming a supreme killing machine with Jigsaw (Saw) The Bride (Kill Bill), and Samara (The Ring) . . . though Samara's function is just to look creepy.

In Death Bell, they have all the right ingredients . . . but they just won't put them together.

That's really the only thing preventing it from being brilliant instead of mediocre. Just give the ghost the power, make those kids actually play the game, and reveal the reasons for the test through their various puzzles and deaths. It'll heighten the tension, increase the scares, and make the mystery all the more compelling (there's a reason the best part of these movies are when the kids are banding together to solve a "test"). If they spent more time on those scenes, and less attention on flashbacks, cheap chills, and unnecessary character bonding and emoting, we'd all be a lot happier.

There's not much more to say about this film: If you've already seen Death Bell 1, then you should expect more of the same from its sequel. Look forward to a less confusing plot (even if it's still utterly ridiculous and far-fetched) and enjoy the idiotic separation of ghost and psycho.

Hopefully with the next sequel (and I'd bet money there will be many more of those to come) I get the Death Bell I've always dreamt of. :)

And if not, I'll pray it keeps improving bit-by-bit. Who knows, maybe next time I'll be able to give it a whopping four stars! *gasp*

The Housemaid (2010)

2010-09-18T08:30:00.015-06:00

((summary taken from Asia Torrents))

The Housemaid (2010) / Hanyo

Warning : Contains Adult Content

Poor divorcee Eun Yi, gladly signs on to work as a nanny and housemaid for a wealthy, upper-crust family. In her naive eyes, the rich and handsome Hoon (Lee Jung Jae, Typhoon), his pregnant wife Hae Ra (Seo Woo, Paju), and adorable daughter (Ahn Seo Hyun) make the picture-perfect family. But that myth is soon shattered when the domineering Hoon finds his way to her bed. Their torrid affair upsets the balance of the household, unleashing a cruel power struggle as Hae Ra, her mother (Park Ji Young), and the head housekeeper (Yoon Yeo Jung) all answer with their own calculated measures.

A highly anticipated remake of Kim Ki Young's 1960 classic, which is widely regarded as one of the best Korean films ever made.

((This review will contain spoilers))

Download: Asia Torrents
(this is the only version I've found that has the correct subs uploaded)

My Rating:

To be honest, when I was watching this, I wasn't very impressed. My mind kept revolting against the changes they made, and how different it was from the original. It was difficult to see all the roles being reversed, and finding myself having to cheer for the "villain" when in the original, you were cheerfully anticipating her demise. In this way, much of the story was almost unrecognizable.

And yet, somehow, surprisingly enough, by the end it all came together beautifully.

It took me awhile to get drawn in, but once I was able to separate this film from its predecessor, and view it on its own merits, I began to really enjoy the clever changes and the additional conflicts the secondary characters brought to the table. Aside from the affair, very little is actually derived from the classic 60's version.

Of course, the acting and directing were PHENOMENAL: every shot is beautifully framed, and any fan of Lee Jung-jae (who was hot as hell) should watch it for the fan-service alone, lol. Really though, you have to give the writer and director props for completely reinventing the story and not riding the coat-tails of its insanely popular source material. They took a leap of faith, and in the end, I think it really paid off.

I do, however, have one major complaint: I really dislike how they portrayed the housemaid as a hapless victim, rather than an unhinged psychopath or home-wrecker. Here, it's understandable, since the moral and tone is completely different from the 60s version, and such a heartless character wouldn't be fitting.

But they tried SO hard to make her likable, that in the end, she didn't feel real or genuine. We're told repeatedly that she's sweet, innocent, and naive . . . and yet, after he makes the first move, she's an eager and willing participant, who shows no concern whatsoever over how her actions affect the mother and child she's caring for. In fact, it isn't until the affair and pregnancy are discovered that she finally shows any signs of guilt ("I should've thought of madam... I did a horrible thing.") DUH, idiot! For someone who's so good-hearted, it sure took you long enough!

And yes, the husband had a part to play in it too, but we're never meant to sympathize with him. So why should I care when it all blows up in her face? If I was the wife, I would've smacked her too!

As terrible as it sounds, I almost wish the husband had raped her. At least then we would've had some fantastic motivation for her revenge, a much better representation of the poor vs rich dichotomy, and a truly inspired ending to tie it all together.

Instead, I can't help but think that none of them are blameless, least of all the housemaid . . . which makes the ending lose most of its punch. It would've been more powerful if the lines of right/wrong hadn't been quite so blurred.

Still though, I liked it. There's something amusing about the fact that nobody really learned anything, and that their lives will continue in much the same vein as before. The rich family will keep right on being rich entitled snobs (though the daughter may eventually break away from the herd), while the elderly housekeeper will probably retire with her prosecutor son, who owes his success to that same family she constantly cursed.

If anything, the ending makes the parallels between the original and this remake all the more glaring. Where before, the moral was for men to be wary of cheating; here, it's like there is no moral, lol. Go on and cheat men. If you're lucky, she'll go crazy and off herself. ;)

In conclusion: Great movie, though not nearly as good as its predecessor. Of course, remakes rarely are.

Aoi Tori (Blue Bird)

2010-08-07T03:21:00.044-06:00

((summary taken from aznv.tv))

Aoi Tori / The Blue Bird / 青い鳥

With the start of a new school term, there is no longer any sign of Noguchi, the bullied student who attempted suicide, and everything seems to have returned to normal. But stuttering substitute teacher Murauchi (Abe Hiroshi) gives a swift kick to this guise of normalcy by bringing Noguchi's desk back to the classroom, and stammering "good morning" to his empty chair everyday. His gesture becomes a pointed and painful daily reminder to both the school staff and his troubled students, especially guilt-ridden Shinichi (Hongo Kanata) who participated in the torment of Noguchi.

Download: Jdramas at Livejournal
Watch Online: Aznv.TV , DramaCrazy

My Rating:

I've always been fascinated with the phenomena of school bullying (actually, any form of bullying, really) so perhaps I was a bit bias going into this film, but personally, I loved it.

I think it definitely helps that this is a movie most people can relate to. After all, nearly everyone has experienced bullying in one form or another--whether they were the perpetrator, the victim, or merely a silent observer. One thing I think Blue Bird does really well, is to explore the issue without coming off as too preachy or over-the-top (though I read some critics disagree.) For the average viewer though, I thought it balanced everything just right, and was honest and straight-forward in its approach.

It's beautifully shot, and doesn't feel like a single scene or line of dialogue is wasted or out of place: The music, lyrics, dialogue, even the class-readings all have an important part to play in the overarching theme. Some of the comments I've read described it as a bit slow or boring . . . but I didn't feel that way at all. Though again, it could have more to do with my ability to get sucked into the story because of my interest in the subject matter, and less to do with the film's actual pacing. So to be fair, I should state that it might not be as easy to watch for other viewers.

But either way, it brought me to tears several times, so they must have been doing something right.

As for the acting: Hiroshi Abe was brilliant as always, and continues to be one of my favorite Japanese actors of all time (I just fell in love with him in Trick.) Here, he plays the character with dignity and heart, and there's never a moment when you're not cheering for him or the lesson he's trying to impart. The boys playing the students did a wonderful job as well. In particular, I was impressed by the actor who played the bullied student (despite the fact that he only had one real speaking scene.) Yet, that moment in the classroom just broke my heart. You could literally feel his despair and hurt betrayal.

For some reason, I really enjoyed the female teacher too, and what she was able to bring to the story. In her own way, she appears to be coping with the near-suicide right along with the students, and seems genuine in her desire to help. Case in point, one of the ways the school chooses to deal with the bullying issue, is to have the students write a reflection essay that is five pages minimum, and revised if necessary. For me, her soft-spoken line really stood out: "Why does it always have to be five-pages?" I love how ridiculous the whole scenario seems (as if the length of the essay will really change things) and yet, nobody has a more suitable solution. I think it says a lot about how desensitized people can get to punishment, and that there's no sure-fire-way to measure repentance and regret. True closure comes when problems are faced head-on, and dealt with through humility and understanding . . . something, thankfully, that at least a few of the students are able to grasp by the end of the movie.

If I had any issues at all, it was that Murauchi's motivations are never truly explained (or else, not explicitly stated.) From the class-picture he kept in his book, I assumed he was Noguchi's teacher at the new school he transferred too, and that perhaps Noguichi successfully committed suicide by jumping off the school's roof. As depressing as the idea is, I actually thought it would be a very poignant way to end the film, while adding another dimension to the significance of his desk, and Murauchi's insistence that he not be forgotten. In the end though, there's really nothing to back this theory up, since we're only ever given hints, and no concrete evidence to support it. Still, the lack of clarification doesn't take anything away from the film itself, and would've only served to make an already strong movie, even stronger.

So, to sum up: I would definitely recommend this film. It's a beautiful examination of guilt, blame, and responsibility, dealing with a serious and fascinating subject; one I hope to see addressed more often in future films.

Akai Ito MOVIE: (Red Thread)

2010-02-20T09:59:00.028-07:00

((summary taken from AsianMediaWiki))

Mei has been in love with Yuya all her life. They've grown up together. But when they reach their second year of middle school, Yuya suddenly professes his love for her older sister, Haruna.

Struggling to rebound from her decade-long crush, Mei finds comfort in the close camaraderie of her school friends, Taka, Mia, Yuri, Natsu, Mitsu and Sara and then meets a reticent and gentle-natured boy named Atsushi. The two begin to realize that they share many things in common that seem to transcend mere coincidence: the same birthday (February 29th, 1992) and a previous encounter when they were both 8. Feeling a bond of fate, they grow closer.

But destiny can have a dark side to it, too, and a shocking revelation from both of their pasts compels Atsushi to pull away from Mei. The devastating separation then unleashes a wave of misfortune upon Mei: the death of a loved one, drug addiction and domestic violence. As circumstances seek to take control of her life, Mei struggles to maintain her faith in the tenuous thread of destiny that will reunite her with her true love.

Download: Jdramas at Livejournal
Watch Online: Aznv.TV , DramaCrazy

My Rating:

Umm... first thought?

Was this based off a badly written fanfic, lol?

First of all, I have to clarify that this review is ONLY concerning the movie and not the 11-episode drama series (since I've only seen the movie).

Now then, the red-thread-of-fate idea is one of my all time favorite plot-devises (I don't think there's a more romantic or beautiful notion out there than destiny and soulmates). So, to be fair, maybe my expectations were a bit high... but either way, I didn't feel like this story or these characters delivered on what they promised.

When it came down to it, I felt like Mei and Atsushi weren't good representations of what soulmates and destiny is all about. The Korean Dramas, Delightful Girl Choon Hyung and Soulmates do a much better job of this--heck, even Sailor Moon does, lol. In fact, I could name a dozen Japanese/Korean/Chinese movies that fit this concept much better (The Chinese movie, Turn Left, Turn Right, comes to mind first). But when you make the red-thread-of-fate the entire focus of a movie/drama... you sure as heck better be able to back it up.

Here, I was never convinced. (I've seen my fair share of dramas where two people fall in love" as children and meet again as "adults"... so it takes more than that and a shared birthday to convince me it's destiny).

Honestly, I had so many problems with this movie, I don't even know where to begin. First, I realize this is basically a condensed version of the drama... but all it succeeded in doing was making me thankful I didn't waste 11 hours watching the entire series. The story was bland and slow, the characters were boring, the drama felt exaggerated and forced, and there was no chemistry between the main actors.

It was a bit like watching Paris Hilton and Carrot-top pretending to be Romeo and Juliet...

Okay, so maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but to put it simply, I did NOT feel anything for the "destined" couple. Both of their characters came off flat (as did their acting) and their willingness to let other people walk all over them was frustrating and tiring to watch. Plus, the reason behind their tortured "fate-is-so-cruel" separation was not grand or terrible (at all); it wasn't nearly enough to instill the kind of heartache (but-but they BELONG together! NOOOO!) their continued separation should've caused. So during that scene at the end, I felt absolutely nothing. I seriously shrugged, and thought, "oh well. They'll find someone else. And if not, who cares."

I'm sure the fact that it took place in Middle School/High School didn't help either. I mean, I realize teens in Japan have a lot of pressure, and many DO have to deal with terrible issues... but seriously, here, it was overkill. It was like the writer was determined to pile every single tragedy he/she could think of onto Mei, so that she could win the award for best "damsel-in-distress". All they needed was a rape and an abortion storyline, and they would have covered everything (oh? you mean there IS a rape-scene in the drama? Well then, that just proves my point...)

In conclusion: If you're tempted to watch the movie to avoid having to invest the time and energy into the drama, I wouldn't recommend it. The movie is just too terribly flawed on its own, and if anything, damages the drama as a result. If I hadn't watched this, I might have actually given the drama a try, and might have even enjoyed it (the story and chemistry issues may not have been a problem with the change in pacing). But now, after having watched the movie, I no longer want to.

I'm sure the only people who would enjoy this are those who are already fans of the drama, or one of the main actors. So consider yourself warned!

What's Up Fox? (16 Episodes)

2009-12-06T16:21:00.030-07:00

EPISODE 01-16

((summary taken from dramawiki))

Single 33 year-old Go Byeong Hee works as a reporter for a sex magazine. She wants more romance and a more respectable life but isn't sure how to get it. 24-year-old Park Chul Su, mechanic and world traveler, is the younger brother of Byeong Hee's best friend. He's a free spirit and not concerned with what the world thinks.

One night the two old family friends get drunk and wake up in bed together. Go Byeong Hee wants to forget it ever happened, especially since a good marriage prospect has just made an appearance. Unfortunately for her Chul Su has other ideas....

Funny, quirky, and often unusually risque by Korean drama standards, What's Up Fox? is an enjoyable romp from start to finish. Don't miss out.

(From the writer of My Name is Kim Sam Soon).

Download: Jdramas at Livejournal , SilentRegrets
Watch Online: Aznv.TV , MySoju , DramaFever

My Rating:

Follow your heart . . . just be happy.

Honestly, I'm not sure what it is about this drama that made me love it as much as I do. It's not exactly phenomenal or anything, and I realize it's the type of drama that most people will either love or hate . . . but for me, even after the credits rolled, I had trouble putting Byeong Hee and Chul Su behind me: I just loved this couple to death. This was in large part due to the wonderful acting and chemistry between its main leads. For once, I found an actor and actress I could really enjoy on equal footing . . . I loved Ko Hyun Jung's character just as much as Chun Jung Myung's (usually I fall in love with the male lead, and become somewhat indifferent to the female, lol).

So what is it about this couple that made me love them so much?

I think it's because it had one of my favorite drama tropes: hot guy obsessively purses girl, while using adorable, childish, jealous antics to win her over (I just love a guy who knows what he wants and will do anything in order to achieve it. Unless of course he's the second male-lead . . . in which case, I despise him with every fiber of my being). And finally, a rare series where the actors and crew actually *know* how to film a kiss scene (there's only so much happy swirly camera angles, and tightly closed lip-locks I can take).

This was definitely a more "mature" take on love and relationships . . . and a much welcome change to the luke-warm romances I've been watching this past year (as much as I loved them overall).

One thing about this drama that worked really well was how realistic the plot felt. All of the "drama" that does unfold is established almost immediately in the very first episode, then explored and expanded upon throughout the rest of the series. By this, I mean the overlying plot points: Byeong Hee's "problem", her past relationship with Chul Su, the ever present age-gap, the potential love rivals, their families, etc. There are some surprises thrown in of course, but for the most part it was nice having a general knowledge of where the plot was headed, without fear of "oh no--incureable illness!" or "holy crap--another birth secret?!" And for once, I wasn't forced to wait 16 episodes for my OTP to get together . . . the plot hit a crescendo and didn't dip, but kept steadily rising right till the end. Plus, this series had already finished airing when I started watching, so I got to marathon the episodes back-to-back without the hassle of having to wait.

I found the characters all likable, and enjoyed how they showed the relationships through the varying age gaps. I even found the storyline with the younger sister and her older "boyfriend" interesting (not creepy, like it probably should have been) . . . and the dynamic between the mother and the younger male employee was fascinating to watch unfold: I could go on and on about the implications of the mother's behavior towards her employee, and what that might say about herself, and her relationship with her daughters . . . but I won't.

As always though, what truly hooked me was watching the relationship between Beong Hee and Chul Soo grow and develop--which, oddly enough--is also what seemed to turn the most people off. If you're uncomfortable with two people dating and falling in love who are 9 years apart (24 and 33) I would definitely steer clear of this series. However, if you're like me and are open-minded about that sort of thing, I think you'll fall in love right along with them. Both actors do a really great job of portraying the uncertainty, the longing, the giddiness, and jealousy that comes with being in love. (And for once, it isn't through the eyes of a teacher-student relationship).

The editing and music were especially strong.: the soundtrack had a lot of variety, and when used, didn't feel like it was randomly thrown in just to enhance a certain scene (the ending song in particular was fantastic!). It was a nice change from other series of this genre which tend to popularize one or two songs and play them over and over again (something I'm presently experiencing with H.I.T., the series Ko Hyun Jung did following this one). Here, this was never a problem. More than once, I'd notice a song in the background, and sigh in relief that it was new and catchy.

Also, I really liked this director. Oftentimes, I'll only take note of a director's work if it's poorly done (BOF -- washed out kiss scene anyone??), but here I was impressed repeatedly, especially the way he/she handled the more intimate scenes (maybe because I had the recently aired You're Beautiful to compare it against). He didn't rely on cheap tricks or lots of camera motion--something I'm eternally thankful for, lol.

Of course, that's not to say this drama was without its flaws: certain things could have been better explained or elaborated upon.

For instance, though I had no problem with the relationship between BH and CS personally, I could see how others might have had issues with their romance. And yet, this problem could have been easily rectified one of two ways: either include more flashbacks, or downplay/eliminate the "brotherly" aspect of their original relationship. The few flashbacks we're given of Chul-Su already addressed this to a point (he obviously didn't see her as another sister) but it would have been nice to see something solely from Byeong Hee's perspective, especially since she's the one who has the most trouble accepting his feelings in the first place. Part of the reason, I think, is that she feels she had a bit of help in raising him (something I feel is probably exaggerated, since there's no real evidence, and his parents died when he was much older).

I think a clever reply to this would have been to give us more evidence of what REALLY happened when they were younger (kind of like what they did in 18 vs 29). To off-play the age vs maturity card, show *him* taking care of her: she falls asleep, show little CS covering her with a blanket; she's sick, show little CS making and bringing her soup; show his sister teasing him about the crush he has on her friend, ect, etc. Little things like that scattered throughout the series would have made the developments later on much more acceptable, and would have shown how someone's perceptions can be wrong (he took care of her just as much as she claimed to take care of him). It would have been cute if it was a bookend that occurred at the end of every episode . . . after all, the few flashbacks we *were* given were wonderful.

Also, it greatly annoyed me that the whole "deja vu" thing went nowhere: I kept expecting them to tie it in somehow with flashbacks of their youth, but they never did . . . if there was ever any real significant between that and the plot, I totally missed it. Oh! And it would have been nice to learn more about the employee Byeong Hee's mother hired . . . every time he was on, I had a feeling he was hiding something; that there was more to him than meets the eye. But nothing significant ever came of it, aside from the fact that she reminded him of his mother (I thought maybe his wife had died, or that there was a significant age difference when they'd married as well, etc).

But really, in the grand scheme of things, these are all small complaints, and ways I felt they could have strengthened/contributed to an already tightly woven story. I even loved the realistic way they handled the ending, even if it did leave me wanting more (in any other drama, I might have been angry--but here, I felt it fit perfectly, especially considering their ages and the opposition they were facing).

In conclusion: I LOVED this drama. It's definitely going in my top 5. So if you want to watch an uplifting, romantic, funny, mature drama about following your heart . . . you can't go wrong with What's Up Fox? ^_^

Hana Kimi ~ Hotties Paradise (Japan)

2009-11-15T05:47:00.058-07:00

EPISODE 01-12 & Special Episode

((summary taken from dramawiki, edited by me))

Hanazakari no Kimi Tachi E / ikimen paradise

Based on the popular manga of the same name by Nakajo Hisaya, Horikita plays the protagonist Ashiya Mizuki, a Japanese American living in the U.S. who one day sees the young athlete Sano Izumi (Oguri) compete in the high jump on television. She begins to idolize him, and after learning of his desire to give up the high jump, decides to move to Japan and attend the same school.

However, Izumi goes to an all-boys school, so Mizuki disguises herself as a boy to achieve her dream of being with her idol. But can she convince Sano to return to the track team? And how long can she possibly keep her gender a secret? And then, there's Nakatsu: the hot-blooded soccer player who finds himself strangely drawn to Mizuki, despite his penchant for liking women... what's a straight guy to do when he starts fearing he's falling for a man?

(This is the second adaptation of Hana Kimi: In 2007, Taiwan did their own version)

Download: Jdramas at Livejournal , SilentRegrets
Watch Online: Aznv.TV , MySoju , DramaCrazy

My Rating:

I'll admit: I was very bias before starting this drama. As a HUGE fan of the manga as well as the Taiwanese version, I was reluctant to give it a fair shot, since the beginning was so comical, exaggerated, and ridiculous. Not to mention that Sano comes off as one huge emo-whiner. And the fact that they used the sub text, "Hotties Paradise" makes me want to gag.

However, I finally decided to give it a shot after seeing a music video for Nakatsu, played by Ikuta Toma (WATCH IT HERE). Honestly, he's the main reason I stuck with this till the end, despite some of its more cringe-worthy moments. And it's saving grace was that its ending (episode 12--not the special).

But in all honesty, it wasn't that bad. Despite my love for Hana Yori Dango, I've never been a huge Oguri Shun fan (or Horikita Maki, for that matter), but their acting did grow on me after awhile; and they filled their roles as well as can be expected. But what I really ended up loving was the actors behind the second-stringers: Nakatsu, Nanba Minami, Oscar, Tennoji, Nakao, Kayashima, etc... there is such an eccentric cast of characters, that it's hard not to be drawn in by all of them. And if nothing else, you can tell they had a lot of fun filming this. ^_^

Overall, I still feel that Taiwan's version did a better job of capturing the "heart" of the manga. It almost felt that the Japanese producers were afraid to really embrace the concept, so had to continuously put up disclaimers of how insanely unreal this scenario is . . . when they should have just accepted it, and stopped whining.

A prime example is Makino's motivations for entering the school. In the manga, she didn't HAVE a great reason (which for me, was always part of her zaniness and charm): she saw her idol had quit jumping, and joined his school in order to find out why. And yet here, they make her reasons seem almost *too* selfless and self-sacrificing: like she's a martyr, who has taken on the burden of her idol's accident squarely on her two shoulders *gag*. And I wouldn't have a problem with that . . . if they hadn't tried so blatantly to overcompensate. I mean, why even bother giving her a reason for such a crazy stunt, if you're just going to undermine it right away by saying "this is too extreme; it'll never happen"??

The beginning starts off as almost a straight-on joke: everything is nonsensical, and not meant to be taken seriously . . . but then, at certain parts, it'll change directions, and try to be dramatic and touching. And really, it was the dramatic and touching moments that really worked for me (despite my love for the insanity that was Oscar, lol). Episode 12 was really well done, and made me feel for all the characters . . . but then, you place that besides scenes from earlier episodes (the treasure hunt) and it's like two different shows mashed together. I'm still not sure what the point of the special episode was . . . other than to rework episode 7 and 12 in a slightly different ways, while showcasing Nakatsu's popularity.

I REALLY wish they had stuck with the manga ending for the special: have Sano move to America to be with Mizuki (something he hinted at in Episode 12, but went nowhere). And then have them return to Japan together to attend their friend's marriage.

I guess my main gripe, is that I wish this had been a bit more like Nodame Cantabile: In that drama, they KNEW their story was insane, and their characters unhinged... but you could feel the care that went into them, and that, beneath it all, they were still humans with flaws and fears. (Plus, it didn't hurt that all of the actors were top-notch performers). In Hana Kimi (Japan) it just felt like something was missing. Like everything was a bit half-assed in the beginning, and at the end, they *finally* decided to get serious. When all was said and done, all I could think was:

This drama was good . . . but it wasn't *that* good.

The acting was decent . . . but it could have been better.

The story was funny . . . but some plot-lines were stupid and redundant.

The romance was sweet . . . but slow . . . and ultimately, I found myself rooting for the doomed pair.

I can understand the appeal of this drama (it's one of my favorite mangas, after all). But I admit to being a bit dumbfounded by its popularity: I can't see it even comparing to Hana Yori Dango, or Nodame. And as an adaptation, it falls very short of its Taiwanese counterpart . . . especially in regards to the romance and love triangle.

For me, Toma's version of Nakatsu is what drew me to this series . . . so I'll definitely be checking out more of his dramas in the future.

And I know I might have been a bit harsh with this drama... but I really did enjoy it. It was a nice distraction while I waited for Liar Game 2 to begin, and for new episodes of You're Beautiful and Iris to air. I actually do think a lot of people will like it . . . however, try and look past its source-material, and enjoy it for what it is: a nonsensical bit of fun, that doesn't bother to take itself too seriously. ^_^

In its defense, I would have given it 4 stars, if I hadn't had the manga and the Taiwanese drama to compare it against. So, if you're going to read the manga, read it after watching the drama . . . it'll make the changes less difficult to bear.

Shining Inheritance (28 Episodes)

2009-10-17T08:29:00.037-06:00

EPISODE 01-28

((summary taken from dramawiki, edited by me))

Brilliant Legacy / 인생은 아름다워 / Chanranhan Yusan

Go Eun Sung's life is similar to Cinderella's. After her father died, her step-mother took away all of her assets, and her Autistic younger brother, Eun Woo, suddenly disappears without a trace. Despite this, Eun Sung preservers and works really hard to fulfill her dreams. When the rich CEO of a food company suffers amnesia and can't remember who she is, Eun Sung takes her in and cares for her.

However, Eun Sung doesn't know that she's the grandmother of Sun Woo Hwan, a man she's constantly clashed with . . . or that Hwan is the man her step-sister loves. Will the two be able to put aside their bickering long enough to realize how they truly feel about one another? Or will they remain enemies till the very end?

(Shining Inheritance had an average rating of 30% during its run, and because of its success, was given a two episode extension. And Han Hyo Joo and Lee Seung Ki both received Hot Drama Star Awards at the 2009 MNET 20s Choice Awards.)

Download: Jdramas at Livejournal , SilentRegrets
Watch Online: DramaFever , MySoju , DramaCrazy

My Rating:

This was a fantastic drama. Even three months later, I'm still surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The romance, pacing, music, drama, acting . . . it was all top notch. Looking back, I have trouble thinking of even one flaw (though I'm sure there were some).

Actually, if I had one complaint, I'd say that it's the fact that the romance took so long to really get going (I couldn't even make a decent music video until 17-18 episodes in). However, it's a small gripe, because the story was still engaging without it, and the impact wouldn't have been as great if the fantastic build-up hadn't been there. Still, waiting for any actual progress as it aired was a royal pain, lol. Though when it finally happened, it made it that much sweeter. ^_^

One thing I really enjoyed was getting to watch the characters change and mature throughout the series, Hwan in particular. At the beginning, he's a spoiled, immature, stuck-up brat, who's nearly impossible to like. However, he gets 28 episodes worth of growth, and we get to see the entire process as it happens . . . by the end, it's impossible not to fall for him. It's like he's an entirely different person. Yet the change is believable and well earned--all the more so, because we were there to see it happen from beginning to end.

Also, any fan of fairy tales (or Cinderella in particular) will enjoy the modern twists to the story. (And honestly, who DOESN'T want to see the evil-stepmother "get hers" in the end?!) Just knowing it was coming eventually, made it all the more satisfying to watch. And Eun Sung was SO likable, it was hard not to cheer for her. She was a strong, sympathetic heroine; kind and trusting (but not naively so). She seemed like a really good person, and one I wouldn't mind befriending in the real world (loyal to her friends, but not afraid to smack them upside the head for saying/doing something stupid). Actually, she was the way I wanted the character Jandi from Boys Over Flowers to be more like. (Willing to stand up for herself--not constantly in need of saving or comfort). Eun Sung went through hell--and she became a stronger person because of it. Plus, she could pull off the "cute and adorable" vibe just as easily as the tear-driven, angsty, "woe is me, my life sucks" AND make them both believable. Besides, she was consistent, something Jandi was not.

Thankfully, the writer of THIS drama knew what she was doing.

I really appreciated how the drama didn't seem to drag. I thought it was very well paced, and did a great job of making the predictable unpredictable (even with the title, I never saw the twist with the grandmother coming, lol). And sure, the main story may be familiar (evil step mother, love quadrangle, family obligation, etc, etc), the way it was executed was not. Honestly, from the very beginning, I was hooked--I even liked the characters that threatened my beloved OTP: The chemistry between all four of them was fantastic.

Also, the emphasis on family love was really touching, especially the bond between Eun Sung, her brother, and her father . . . I like how the grandmother connects to all of them (she really does seem like a fairy-godmother, doesn't she?). For once, it wasn't just the romance that drove this drama, but a combination of many different elements, all of which were woven naturally into the story and fit together perfectly.

I loved it, and I think most people out there will love it too. Unless, of course, you have no soul. =p

The Quiz Show (Season 1)

2009-08-16T09:55:00.021-06:00

EPISODE 01-12

((summary taken from dramawiki))

ザ・クイズショウ / The Quiz Show

The Quiz Show features tormented characters in twelve episodes, with one common thread – the mysterious relationship between the deviant Producer and enigmatic Host of The Quiz Show. The Producer and the Host are both introduced in each episode in a dark asylum, the Producer looking put-together and strong, the Host, ill-looking and without his memory. This short opening flashes into the dream-like set of “The Quiz Show.” Each week a new contestant comes to play on the game show – little do they know that a dark secret deep within their past will be tested throughout the game.

Each contestant highlights one of the Seven Deadly Sins – pride, gluttony, wrath, greed, sloth, lust and envy. They hide their public image behind an unforgivable sin they have committed. As they are asked questions from the Host, seven questions in total, the contestants are slowly forced to reveal details of their sins – will they lie under the pressure, or will the truth of their irrepressible acts set them free?

Download: Jdramas at Livejournal , SilentRegrets
Watch Online: MySoju , DramaCrazy

My Rating:

Since Galileo fell below expectations, I was determined to find something more Liar Game-esque, rather than searching for something that combined Trick AND Liar Game. Luckily, I discovered The Quiz Show.

It was exactly what I was looking for.

I was hooked within minutes. There aren't many shows that introduce a main character by showing him in a stark white room, obviously disturbed -- only to show him later that day as a lively, energetic game-show host. I'm still not sure if he was in some kind of insane asylum, or a hospital -- but the whole idea was really intriguing. I loved how he'd still be "out of it" seconds until the show went on air. At that moment, it was like some light switched on, and he was a completely different person.

For some odd reason, he kind of reminded me of Brook, the afro-music loving-skeleton from One Piece.

This series had everything I loved: quirky characters, an engaging plot, mystery/suspense, lots of unexpected twists. I loved the guy who played the host... it was fun watching his personality shift and change, and watching the mystery be revealed, piece by piece. And since each episode was only a half-hour, time really flew by. Every scene seemed important and necessary for the plot, so there was no dragging, no random scenes. It was a tightly scripted show.

I actually saw the first two episodes of Season 2 before watching all of Season 1 (Season 2 features a different cast and contestants). However, I was surprised by how closely Season 2 resembles Season 1. Honestly, it was more like watching a remake -- not a continuation of a popular series. Even though there were different contestants, their occupations and/or wishes are so similar it was ridiculous. That's not to say they didn't change anything. Instead of having the host be at odds with the producer, they changed it to the director -- and the contestants are no longer content to sit there and be interrogated, forcing the crew to keep convincing/tricking them to return. Of course, only 2 episodes have aired at the time of this review, so maybe it'll pick up.

But right now, it's like watching Season 1 all over again, but with a different cast (I'll admit, I do have a soft-spot for Arashi, so enjoyed seeing Sho in the position of host). However, the changes are just too insignificant to matter.

Here are some of the similarities:

SPOILERS

~Begins in an insane asylum
~Game Show host suffers from memory lost
~Contestants connected to his past

~Season 1, Contestant 1: washed up musician, accused of murdering his manager
~Season 2, Contestant 1: washed up musician, accused of murdering his bandmate

~Season 1, Contestant 2: aspiring manga-artist, gave up her dream because her boyfriend died, wishes to get her manga published
~Season 2, Contestant 2: popular writer, reveals she didn't really write those books, wants to get her own book published

END OF SPOILERS

It's an exciting drama, but I think it's something you need to watch for yourself. Though if you liked Liar Game, I think you'll like this one too. I plan to watch all of Season 2 when it's done airing... hopefully, they include enough interesting twists.

Galileo (10 Episodes + Movie)

2009-08-16T07:31:00.111-06:00

EPISODE 01-10
Movie: Suspect X

((summary taken from wikipedia))

Galileo / ガリレオ

Kaoru Utsumi, a rookie detective who has just been reassigned to the criminal division, finds her investigation of her first murder case stalled by the seemingly supernatural phenomenons surrounding the event. She seeks help from Shunpei Kusanagi, a senior detective at the police headquarter, who introduces her to his college buddy and an associate professor at Teito University, Manabu Yukawa.

Yukawa is a tall, handsome, brilliant but eccentric scientist who is interested in nothing but physics, while Utsumi is a hot-blooded detective with a strong sense of justice. Together, the odd pair solves many difficult and seemingly impossible crimes with their individual talents.

(The drama is based on a novel series by Higashino Keigo, who won the prestigious Naoki Prize in 2006. Fukuyama Masaharu also wrote the music and lyrics for the theme song.)

Cast: Fukuyama Masaharu, Shibasaki Kou, Kitamura Kazuki
Genre: Mystery, Crime, Detective
Theme song: KISS Shite by KOH+

TV RATING: 3.5 stars
MOVIE RATING: 4.5 stars

(Sorry, for some reason the icon I normally use is screwing the template up on this post, so I had to go without.)

I originally watched Galileo because I read on a forum that it was a lot like Trick and Liar Game, two of my favorite Japanese dramas. Well, it was nothing like Liar Game... but I could see some obvious similarities to Trick. However, for me, it just didn't hold the same appeal.

I really liked Yukawa-sensei: A young, handsome, genius physicist who doesn't believe in supernatural phenomenon. Several of his "trademarks" however, seemed a little too contrived. Like, his tendency to work out a huge pointless equation with ridiculous urgency whenever he's made a break through; the way he's very precise in placing a hand over the bridge of his nose, fingers splayed, one he's done; how he ALWAYS has to tell Detective Uehara to do her job (because she's obviously incompetent). He was an interesting enough character on his own -- he didn't need the silly gimmicks.

As for Detective Uehara... I could take her or leave her. I found her a pretty standard character, without anything to really seperate her from the female-cop variety in past dramas. And seriously... she wasn't even much of a cop. I mean, what cop looks at 3 different causes of death, and DOESN'T notice that they were all killed in water?! I wish they had made her semi-intelligent and not so completely reliant on Uehara.

As for the cases, honestly, they were kind of boring and repetitive. Most of them followed a similar pattern (seeing something suspicious before the crime was committed; a witness seeing something they couldn't possibly have seen). The only things different were the ways they proved how the crime was committed. And seriously, most criminals are way too stupid to try such outlandish methods. They'd ALL need to be physicists to pull it off. And not all of them were.

The movie, however was WONDERFUL. Probably because they FINALLY focused on developing the characters . . . especially the villain, who was sympathetic and interesting. Plus, they didn't use a lot of the silly tricks they did in the series (and thankfully) Professor Yukawa was missing all his stupid signature moves, the same ones I complained had bogged down the series. The absence of them in the movie, just seems to reinforce how pointless and unnecessary they truly were!

But even with the absence of the useless gimmicks, I REALLY loved all the twists that went along with the plot, and how they made us care for the suspects. The plot and characters really seemed movie-specific, and didn't come off as some cheap tv-series knock-off. The "trick" was clever and new, and I didn't feel like I was watching something I'd already seen before (which was one of the dramas main faults).

Really, this movie was everything I wish the series had been. Honestly, I don't know if I could recommend this drama to just anyone. But the movie . . . definitely.

Koukou Debut (MANGA)

2009-04-06T03:41:00.059-06:00

13 Volumes - 52 Chapters

((summary taken from wikipedia & onemanga.com))

Koukou Debut / 高校デビュー / High School Debut

Haruna Nagashima devoted all her time and energy to softball in middle school, and now that she's made her high school debut she's decided to give her all to a new goal: Getting a boyfriend and falling in love. However, she has one small problem. Since she never paid any attention to fashion in middle school she has no idea how to go about attracting a boyfriend. A chance encounter with Yoh Komiyama, a handsome and popular boy from her school, provides her with the opportunity she needs. If he coaches her on how to become attractive, surely she can find herself a boyfriend! Due to Haruna's persistence, Yoh eventually agrees to coach her, but only on one condition: if she promises not to fall in love with him.

A one-chapter short story called "Enren Debut" ("Long-Distance Love Debut") was released soon after the manga finished it's run. It takes place shortly before Koukou Debut's original ending.

Author/Artist: Kawahara Kazune
Genre: Comedy, romance, school life, shoujo
Status: Complete, August 2008

My Rating:

High School Debut is easy to love. The main character, Haruna, is adorable and endearing, while Yoh is cool, quiet and surprisingly sweet. The plot may sound predictable and overused, but the characters are so entertaining and fun, that the 52 chapters fly by before you even realize that you're almost at the end.

And sure, you can tell what's going to happen just by reading the description... but here, part of the fun is seeing how the characters get there, not whether or not they do. And honestly, I loved how it wasn't all about drama and angst. Even when you think the drama is building, that misery is on its heels... it would go out with a whimper, and be all the more hilarious (and sweet) because of it. Really, many of the problems these characters face are all in their heads: its a result of their own poor choices, and a tendency to make mountains out of molehills. In the end, it's a nice reminder that sometimes the biggest impediment to a relationship isn't incurable diseases, back-stabbing friends, and crazy exes... but your own insecurities and fears.

I LOVED Haruna's character. Sure, she may be a tough tomboy with no fashion sense... but she's loyal, optimistic, funny, naive, and sweet. That's one reason why I loved the ending so much (though I know some people complained about it). For me, it summed up everything Kawahara Kazune was trying to say: That no matter what your flaws, there's someone out there who will love you despite them, and that it's okay to be yourself.

What I loved most about Haruna and Yoh's relationship, is that Yoh was able to love Haruna for who she was, horrible clothes and all. He didn't care if she looked weird or scary while pitching; he admired her perseverance and her good heart. Because of her, he was able to open up to people and become a better person. They each compliment the other perfectly.

Besides, Haruna doesn't need to know how to dress herself. She'll always have Yoh to help her. ^_^

On a personal level, one thing I really loved about this manga, was that it made me feel really nostalgic: It reminded me of series from the past, like Kodomo No Omocha, Marmalade Boy, Peach Girl, Imadoki, Hana Kimi. All series that I read online, and loved so much that I actually went out and bought the entire series--something I intend to do with High School Debut when the official translations are finally released.

For me, I loved this.

Boys Before Flowers (25 Episodes)

2009-04-01T06:34:00.042-06:00

EPISODE 01-25

((summary taken from aznv.tv and wikipedia))

Boys Before Flowers / 꽃보다 남자 / Boys Over Flowers / Kgotboda Namja

Geum Jan Di is an average girl who is admitted to the prestigious Shinhwa High School after stopping a bullied student from committing suicide. Once there, she learns that the school is run by a group of rich and good-looking boys called "F4" (Flower 4) who seem to enjoy humiliating and tormenting others. If someone opposes them, they're issued a red card in their locker and become the target of bullying by the entire student body.

When Jan Di's friend, Oh Min Ji, accidentally gets ice cream on the leader of the F4's shoes, Jan Di sticks up for her and ends up receiving a red card herself. Soon after, she declares war on the leader of F4, Goo Jun Pyo.

((This is the Korean drama adaptation of the Japanese manga Hana Yori Dango. It is the equivalent of Taiwanese drama Meteor Garden and Japan's Hana Yori Dango. This is the third televised version to air.))

Directed by: Jun Ki Sang
Cast: Koo Hye Sun, Lee Min Ho, Kim Hyun Joong, Kim Bum, Kim Joon

My Rating:

I've always been a fan of Hana Yori Dango, no matter what form it took: I fell in love with the manga, enjoyed the anime, and adored both the Taiwanese and Japanese live-action versions. In fact, Meteor Garden was the second drama I ever watched and is ultimately what got me hooked on Asian dramas. So needless to say, I went into Korea's recent adaptation expecting to enjoy it. I mean, how could they screw up a drama when the script and plot are basically handed to you on a silver platter...?

Unfortunately, the writer of Boys Over Flowers found a way.

I'm not saying the drama itself was particularly bad: There were parts of it I enjoyed a great deal. But as far as adaptations go, I found this version to be sorely lacking. Here's why.

First, the characters.

Geum Jan Di/Makino Tsukushi: In adaptations, some changes are acceptable and understandable given the right context (I love how they gave Jan Di a passion for swimming) but one thing that should be required is consistency. Here, there was none. One moment Jan Di would be the kick-ass, no-nonsense girl I looked up to in the manga--and the next, she'd be a weepy, whiny, damsel in distress. It's like she'd lose her backbone for 2 or 3 episodes, and then suddenly grow it back.

One important characteristic of the original Makino that I missed was her initial reluctance to fall in love with Domyouji. In BBF, Jan Di seems to fall in love with him almost immediately (even if she doesn't realize it because of her confused feelings for Ji Hoo). Part of what I loved about Meteor Garden, was the subtle and natural way their relationship progressed. It takes Shan Cai almost an entire season to even admit that she likes him. In BBF, they rush the romance to get to the angst, and then drag it for all its worth.
In the end, I had the same questions Jan Di did: what DID Jun Pyo see in her?

In the other versions, that question never once crossed my mind--it just seemed so obvious. Here, I wasn't so sure. I felt like Jan Di and Jun Pyo could've both found someone else and been fine, just like Jun Pyo's sister Joon Hee. They may think back on it with regret, but I think they could have found happiness with someone else if they had to.
For me, what it came down to was that Jan Di didn't have the same "Makino" vibe like the other adaptations had. And I can't even blame the actress... she could look cute and tough, while still looking vulnerable and sad. It's just the way the character was written that made her seem so inconsistent: I really wish they had kept her assertive like in the first couple of episodes, and not so wishy-washy and dubious towards the end.

Goo Jun Pyo/Domyouji Tsukasa: Jun Pyo was the same way. His character was much more consistent than Jan Di's... but they toned his personality down so much in the Korean version, that they took away a lot of what made his character so appealing in the first place. The main thing I loved about Hana Yori Dango, was watching Domyouji--the cold, violent, poessessive plutocrat--find love, and allowing that love to change him into a better (and happier) person. Honestly, here, that change wasn't a huge leap. He's a little less stupid, a LOT less violent, his unwavering devotion to Jan Di is a lot less overpowering... and honestly, he didn't seem any worse than the other F3. It was easy to love him: most of the time, he came off like a harmless dog barking behind a fence. Jan Di would've seemed strange if she hadn't swooned over him.
The saving grace was that Lee Min Ho is an AMAZING actor, and he really made you care about Jun Pyo . But again, I wonder how much more amazing this drama would have been had Jun Pyo been a little more like the character he's based upon.

Yoon Ji Hoo/Hanazawa Rui: I know that many people will disagree with me on this point, and that I'm probably exaggerating things... but since this is my own personal review, I figured I might as well call it like I see it: His character annoyed the crap out of me! Somehow, throughout the course of the series, he ended up becoming much more important than he was supposed to be. It's like the writer took his character and gave him a freaking halo. And what was with the random musical performances scattered throughout the episodes? I know Ji Hoo's actor is actually a singer, and that in the manga he plays the violin, but it got really annoying after awhile, especially since they placed such an emphasis on it: There would be a problem, and Ji Hoo's solution would be to grab his guitar/violin/piano and strum a tune. Yes, music soothes the soul, but seriously!
But what bothered me the most was how they turned him into Jan Di's personal savior. If she was upset, he was there. If she was depressed, here comes Ji Hoo. If she wanted to be alone, here's Ji Hoo sitting near by, just in case she needs a tissue.
MAKINO IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THAT WEAK.
And I never could understand why they placed such an emphasis on the Jun Pyo/Jan Di/Ji Hoo love triangle in the first place. Honestly, there are enough outside forces to move the plot along without it, especially when its already been done, and we know the outcome. I would have preferred that they focus more on Jun Pyo trying to win over Jan Di; on Jan Di fighting against her feelings for Jun Pyo; of them fighting together against his mother; etc, etc.
I'm almost positive that the writer had some huge crush on Rui and was a Rui/Makino shipper. Why else would she include so many pointless scenes of them "together" that are usually only found between canon couples in Korean dramas. It's like she broke every rule in the book, just so she could fulfill her stupid Makino/Rui fantasies. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if there were more JH/JD scenes than there were of JP/JD.

On the other hand, I did enjoy his back story, and like how they gave his character some purpose and depth... in the manga and OTHER dramas, I always felt bad for him. At least, here they gave him something, even if it wasn't a mutual romance.

If you couldn't tell by now, my biggest complaint was with the script and the writer. As a hard-core Domyouji/Makino shipper... I am still furious at the way she handled their romance. From episode 18-22 the story drags like crazy, and emphasis is given to the alternate pairings (Rui/Makino and Domyouji/Shigeru). At this point, I was seriously afraid the writer had gone crazy and forgot who the canon couple was supposed to be... it was ridiculous and unnecessary, and could have been used in a much better way than it was. The fiancee arc dragged for much too long. In every other version, I like Rui and Shigeru, even when they threatened my beloved canon... but in Boys Before Flowers, I started to despise them both and just wanted them off the screen.
Luckily, the scenes with Jun Pyo and Jan Di were all perfect--it's the only reason I really stuck with this drama till the end. The two had amazing chemistry, and every scene they shot together was very sweet (even if their story was mishandled). If the script had given them something more to work with, it would have been wonderful.
This drama's saving grace was its ending. Honestly, if they had tried to end it any other way, I would have given this drama a 1 and cursed the writer and PD for life. Thankfully, the final two episodes brought back a lot of what was missing from the middle episodes; it was like a return to the original story, with our beloved characters actually acting like themselves. It was refreshing and made me forgive most of the travesty that was the horrible second half (even if it didn't make me forget). Plus, I loved how they resolved the Soujiro/Yuki storyline. And the location shots were really breathtaking.

In conclusion: strong actors and great location shots are great, but if it doesn't have a strong script to back it up, I get lost and frustrated pretty easily. For a regular drama, I'd say this was entertaining and a good way to waste some hours. But as an adaptation for a popular manga series... it left a lot to be desired.

PD Kim, and horrible writer: MAJOR FAIL.
Everyone else: you did great.

Suicide Club/ Sucide Circle

2009-01-17T11:17:00.000-07:00

Warning: This is NOT your typical horror film. Suicide Club is disturbing, thought-provoking, and not for the casual movie-goer or thrill-seeker: If you go into this expecting to be frightened or constantly jumping out of your seat, you're bound to be disappointed. And confused. Both of which are terrible combinations.

This review is basically an attempt to clear up some misconceptions, confusion, and general questions viewers may have experienced after watching this film. I don't claim to be an expert--FAR FROM IT--but since this is one of my favorite Japanese horror films, I wanted to at least attempt to explain what it is about this movie that I find so engaging. I really think its one of those movies that deserves (and probably needs) a second look. Without it, many people have a tendency to process what's only on the surface, and miss what the director is truly trying to say--about Japan, technology, suicide, and society in general.

So from here on out, spoilers will be unavoidable.

Download: MyAsianCinema , SilentRegrets , AM-Addiction
Watch Online: Aznv.TV , DramaCrazy

My Rating:

Small Disclaimer: I'm not brilliant enough to have gleaned all of this information myself. Some of it is from my own personal interpretations, while other theories are what I've gathered from various sites on the web (via forums, reviews, comments, general discussions, etc). If you disagree with any of these points, feel free to leave a tasteful comment, or hit the back-button. Personally, I don't think there's one "correct" interpretation for ANYTHING that appears in this movie: I think each scene and/or character can be understood in many different ways. Ultimately, the way you choose to view it is entirely up to you.

Now let's get started.

Two quick facts you should probably know about Japan that will make understanding this film that much easier.

First of all, Japan is very well known for having a high suicide rate: Out of all industrialized society, Japan tops among the highest (in 2006, it was rated 9th in the world). The problem became so troubling that the government even released a "nine-step plan" in 2007 to help combat the problem (wikipedia).

Even in Japan's colorful past, suicide was not uncommon: the practice is ingrained into the very culture itself. Dating back to the samurai, it was once considered an honorable way to die, and was carried out in a ritualistic fashion (seppuku/harakiri). But even more interesting is a form of suicide known as funishi (憤死, indignation death), a method of self-annihilation that was used to express dissatisfaction or protest in the past (wikipedia).

The point is, there can be many different motivations behind the act itself. When watching Suicide Club, it's important to take this into consideration: what is motivating the people in this movie? Is it simply a form of brainwashing? An evil plot orchestrated by singing delinquents? Or is more going on here than meets the eye. . .?

Personally, I tend to lean towards the latter.

Fact number 2: compared to the West, Japan's mindset is very group-oriented, not individualized like here in in the US: "Human fulfillment comes from close association with others . . . they are part of an interdependent society, beginning in the family and later extending to larger groups such as neighborhood, school, playground, community, and company; dependence on others is a natural part of the human condition" (wikipedia).

In the East, importance is placed on the "we" not so much the "me". However, there is a generation gap that has been steadily growing in Japan, as more and more of the country finds itself getting swept up in the culture of the West, leaving behind the values and beliefs that were once important in sustaining the country.

I'm generalizing these issues of course, but viewing these basic principles through the lens of the film, may help in understanding the tension between the two cultures, and how the West has impacted the basic structure of Japan; particularly in regards to its youth.

Ultimately what this movie is trying to do is to show Japan's deteriorating sense of "self": In its own identity, in the lack of communication and connection among its citizens, and the role technology, the West, and adults have (and will continue to play) in its deterioration. Genesis, and what he symbolizes, is an example of one of the things Sono Sion feels is to blame for the current unsavory 'trends' in his country. . .

It may seem that the West has a natural ability to "connect" with oneself, since it's practically what our entire society is build-upon. However, in Suicide Club, this connection is depicted as undesirable and unnatural: something that can arguably be seen in Genesis and his den of pleasures. Consider the setting and the music: a bowling alley, a rock song, and a strong allusion to the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

These are indicative of influences from the West, all of which are the setting for one of the most disturbing and terrible scenes in the entire film. And yet, Genesis is a prime example of someone who IS connected to themselves--to a horrifying, alarming level. He is the extreme, and evidence of what can happen when one takes that connection too far. He is so out of touch with society, that all he cares about is fame and creating social upheaval. He uses the anonymity of the internet to find victims, while promoting his own twisted version of the "suicide club"--taking credit for something he really had no hand in beginning.

Of course, the West isn't the only thing to blame. Part of the problem is technology.

Dessert's song, Mail Me, addresses this concern in a clever way--citing the problem, but candy-coating it within in the lyrics of a sugary pop-song (the spelling of the name Dessart is no accident). People have become so dependent on technology, that they've started losing that connection within themselves: rather than speak face-to-face, they converse using email, phones, computers, faxes. . . this problem is really exemplified with Kuroda and his family.

From the very beginning, we're shown just how out of touch with his children Kuroda's become: the only interaction he has with them throughout the entire film is through the internet site his son finds in relation to the suicides, and the performance of Dessert on television that his daughter watches at dinner. But these connections was artificial at best--he is so caught up in his work, that he doesn't even process the danger until it's too late (his son's tattoo, his daughter's blood soaked greeting). His entire family was able to connect to themselves and to each other, but he wasn't. In the end, he didn't sever his connection in any meaningful way--he did it in a moment of desperation, depression, and self-blame.

Interestingly enough, the nurses at the beginning were meant to symbolize this reliance on technology as well: In a scene that was cut, the missing nurse actually "faxes" herself using the fax-machine. But because of time restraints and the importance of Kuroda, it was deemed unnecessary and left out in the final version. (However, part of it can apparently be seen in some of the DVD trailer clips).

Another major contribution to the deterioration of Japan's sense of self, is in the form of its impressionable youth. In Japanese culture, children are considered very important to the growth and future of society (they even have a holiday dedicated to children: "childrens day"). Not to say that children aren't valued in other countries, but in Japan, the generation gap between the traditional adults, and the more "Westernized" youth is becoming a growing concern: it's addressed in the media, in literature, and reflected in society itself. "Most young Japanese are turned inward, focused upon themselves, their technological toys, and their clothes . . . parents seem willfully humorless and clueless about how to handle them" (Psychology Today, December 2009).

But that's not the only concern: the need to "follow the crowd" is more appealing than ever. Dessert's second song, Puzzle, addresses this very issue. It tells of the pressures people feel trying to "belong", and what can happen when they take that need to the extreme, looking for it in superficial ways, rather than creating meaningful bonds meant to last. Dessert makes it clear what it's in store for those trying to fit in forcefully . . . and the kids on the roof are the perfect example.

The suicide jump began as a joke, but when just one of them was serious, the rest were dragged right along for the ride. And really, isn't that often what happens with trends? People blindly follow the herd? Even the ones who initially let go, end up following through with it in the end (one of them is dragged to his death unwillingly). That's why there was no bag or roll of skin left behind. None of these students truly "connect" with themselves. Like Kuroda, they severed their connection falsely; perverting the idea of a "Suicide Club" to fit their own needs (much like Genesis tried to claim the idea as his own). They're part of the problem plaguing society, not a solution. It's just like the chief of police fears: if word got out about a suicide club, kids all over the country would be eager to join in--no matter how idiotic the notion. Togetherness and a sense of community is undeniably important, but the notion can be dangerous if taken too far (just like Genesis represents the extreme on the other side of the scale). Having a healthy balance then--with yourself, your family, your friends--is what's truly important.

Of course, the children aren't the ones truly to blame: according to Suicide Club, it's the adults who hold that honor. They're the clueless, the absent, the helpless--the ones who are compounding the problem, rather than seeking solutions. It's the children who are actually trying to FIX things . . . but can mass genocide truly solve anything? It's one answer (as morbid and disturbing as that seems) but we're given a hint that it's not the only one. . .

In the auditorium, the children make a big deal out of this one line: When rain dries, clouds form.

Midori no Saru made an interesting point in a forum I read: "Obviously it refers to the fact that what we see as misfortune or depression is really part of the process. When we enjoy dry weather it is because the cloud is forming in preparation for rain. All natural processes, including life itself, depend on instability to function. That instability creates a fluctuation that we depend on. So, sadness, misfortune, and even the economic situations that create misfortune (Japan has been going through a major economic depression for the last 10 years) are part of the processes that create happier times. Bad times and good times are two sides of the one essence, and both are needed for each to exist" (mandiapple.com).

Another interpretation, could be the literal one: Rain may dry up, but as long as there are clouds forming, rain can and will fall again (in it's own way, it's like a never-ending circle). If you look at it that way, then suicide can arguably be viewed in much the same way, especially considering that most Japanese believe in reincarnation, and follow the Buddhist or Shinto religions. Their "connections" may be gone, but they still survive on some plane of existence--perhaps in someone's memory, or in the thoughts of those they've left behind. It's the reason they were all able to leave so cheerfully--with a smile and a wave. Suicide, for them, wasn't the end. It was the beginning.

The song Genesis sings is actually very poignant in this sense, though he twists its meaning into something ugly for his own purposes: "Because the dead shine all night long" can alternatively mean that death has the ability to bring light and enlightenment even after someone's gone. Like Joan of Arc, if someone dies for a purpose, then their death isn't viewed as a waste--their intentions live on long after their gone. These suicides were not motivated out of selfish, or hopeless reasons. It was one way they sought to fix what was plaguing society--expounded by the connected skin that was left in their wake.

The pieces of skin sewn together are meant to signify society's attempt to reclaim what was lost--to finally reconnect. Whenever the bag was left, it was meant to represent those people who were able to make worthwhile connections--who came to terms with their own identities, and sought a solution. The children in the auditorium sum it up best: Everyone, in some way, is seeking a connection within themselves. The question then becomes: in what ways are you connected? And once you're aware of this connection, what do you do with it? Some repair it (Genesis is in DESPERATE need of this), others sever it (Kuroda, the cop, is very out of touch with himself and his family). Or some choose to sever the connection within themselves completely (the suicides).

And yet, the little boy is right: There is no Suicide Club. The girl-band Dessert exists in order to bring this connection to a person's consciousness; in essence, to wake people up. There are problems here, they're trying to tell them--and they're saying it in the only way people seem capable of listening. It's telling that their message was conveyed through the use of music, pop-culture, the internet, and the media--all of which are also to blame for society's current state. Like I mentioned earlier, if you listen to the lyrics in all of their songs, it explains what those problems are: "Mail Me"--technology, "Puzzle"--stress, peer pressure, fitting in, "Live As You Please"--people giving up; not living life to its fullest. Even the band itself is ambiguous: the spelling of its name is constantly changing with each song, revealing an underlying theme behind each pronunciation. "Dessart/Mail Me", "Dessret/Puzzle", "Dessert/Live"

(Dessert--something tasty, but bad for you; Desert--to abandon or leave, empty and barren; Dessret--death art/death threat).

However, what people choose to do with the knowledge Dessert gives them (if they choose to acknowledge it at all), and with their connections to themselves and others, is entirely their own choice. The suicides came about because people were seeking solutions in the only way they knew how: through death, by placing their hopes in the future. And yet, Dessert's final song addresses an alternate solution to the one people have been choosing: "live as you please". Make the most out of the life you're given--light yourself up with life, love, and memories.

That's why the ending at the subway is so significant: Mitsuko chooses to go on living, despite the fact that death, ultimately, is the quick and easy solution. Of course, living with this decision can be daunting (just look at her resigned expression after she boards the train). However, nobody said it would be easy. Dessert even addresses the problems facing this choice in their farewell song: "it may be a lot of work, but it's a lot of fun to." Mitsuko did have fun times with her boyfriend . . . we see this in the pictures he had in his room, in the quiet, subtle ways she remembers him . . .

And some day, she will have happy memories like those again. Like Dessert sings: "As we go, we'll forget the pain. We'll find life again." Just like all the others who choose to walk this path, the reward in the end will be worth it.

Hopefully the sacrifice of all those that came before have brought to the surface the fact that there *are* problems, and that, as a society, they can no longer turn a blind eye to them (like the captain of the police, who didn't even acknowledge that the suicides were a problem to begin with). Perhaps society will become more connected because of these tragedies and will begin valuing life, themselves, and their families once again. It's all about 'stopping to smell the roses' and not taking life for granted; of finding a balance--with yourself, and those around you.

And if 54 high school students jumping in front of a train isn't enough to get your attention . . . what is?

In conclusion: If you love a movie that will make you think and forces you to question everything it is you're watching, then I'm pretty confident that you'll enjoy this too. Just be prepared to be open-minded--then you won't be disappointed. ^_^

Theories

The coughing boy: (Kuroda receives a call several times from a young boy who coughs at the end of each sentence). As far as I can figure, this was another way to reinforce the lack of communication and understanding between adults and children. The coughs are intentional on the child's part (in the auditorium--if it is the same boy--he spoke clearly). So this could either be a symbolic gesture, meant to illustrate the halting/troubled relationship between Kuroda and his family, or to exemplify the difficulty people have in communicating in general. After all, this entire dialogue takes place over a phone, not face-to-face . . . which is essentially what Dessert is rallying against in the first place.

The "ghost" nurses: (When the night guard is patrolling the hospital, he sees the two ghost forms of the nurses). I think it might have something to do with the concept of people living on after their deaths--tying in the whole concept of what Genesis touches on in his death song, as well as the rain and cloud analogy the children later allude to. This is the impact the suicides are meant to have . . . that just because someone's "gone" doesn't mean they're forgotten. The dead literally shine all night long, leaving behind a message that lingers long after they're gone.

The Websites/The Bat: From what I can gather (pure conjecture on my part), the kids in the auditorium were also responsible for the website with the red and white dots: The internet was just another way for them to reach out, beyond the music and the media.

Besides, in a way, isn't the internet a mini-cult in its own right? It has its own culture and following--something The Bat is meant to represent (a culture, within a culture--where the disconnection runs so deep, that they can no longer be themselves, but make up fake names to hide behind). I think The Bat would have eventually figured out the truth behind the suicides, much like Mitsuko and Kuroda's son did . . . however, since she volunteered to help the police, Genesis kidnapped her before she could get that far.

Children/Bunnies (submitted by Eveline): On the surface, I think they were meant to signify innocence and rebirth, like Eveline stated in her original question. But even more than that, it's a direct juxtaposition for Genesis's actions in the bowling alley, when he put animals in bags, and stomped on them. In that instance, sacrifices were made with no regard for life (human, or otherwise), and personal fame/glory remained the sole motivator. And yet, on the children's "grand stage" chicks and animals roam freely, and the "sacrifice" is a willing participant who knows what he/she is giving up. They're motivated by a worthy, selfless cause (repairing society), and likewise, harbor no regrets.

Any other questions/comments/concerns? Leave a comment, and I'll be sure to add it here and take a stab at answering it. (I claim no accuracy though). ^_^

And tell me . . . do you think you're connected?

Lyrics

Mail Me
Mail me. Hurry and hit the send key.
Can't you see? I've waited patiently.
Mail me. To my phone or PC, I'm
ready to tell you that I'm standing by.
Mail me. I want to let you know that as
friends go, yours is the best hello.
Mail me. I'm sure you never knew, how I
feel about you, this is real, I need to...
...hear from you right now or I'll die.

Puzzle
The world is
The world is
A jigsaw puzzle.
Somewhere there's a fit for you,
A place where your
Puzzle piece belongs.
Don't fit you say?
Then make it so.
There's nowhere for my piece to go.
Find a place that lasts forever.
Perhaps I'd better say "so long."
WOAH!

Because the Dead
Time and time again
The sky is blue.
And yet it's strange how people
Seem to always fall in love.
An unfamiliar yellow dog
Keeps grinning as it
Tears us from the ones we love.
Because the dead
Because the death
Because the dead
Shine all night long.
I want to die
As beautifully as Joan of Arc
Inside a Bresson film.
Lesson one,
Apply the shaving cream
And smile as you then slowly
Slice away the heart.
Because the dead
Because the death
Because the dead
Shine all night long.
Feel the warmth of the spring rain
As it gently moistens down a cheek
That's streaked
With dried up tears.
A guiless boy but five years old
Stares blankly in the face of death
While the heart
Is cut and torn away.
Because the dead
Because the death
Because the dead
Shine all night long.
Sayonara
If a gentle melody
Rises to your ears,
Stop the world revolving
And let the music swell.
Someday we shall meet again,
So wipe away those tears.
Now it's time to bid you all
A pleasant farewell.
Now it's time to bid you all
A pleasant farewell.
Now it's time to say goodbye,
I hope you all are well.

Live As You Please
Little did we know,
how little do we ever really know.
Every day we're pressing the keys
That executes a million commands.
If only you would say exactly
What is on your mind,
And tell me how you really feel.
Maybe I can lend a helping hand.
Scary it's true
But loads of fun too.
To open up and feel the brand of life
for each and every one.
Light yourself with life.
Light yourself with love.
Light yourself with memories.
All it takes is just a little
Heart and courage on your part.
Turn around yourself and take it.
Once again right from the start.
Though you may feel
Out of touch at times,
Or fear an evil spell
Has your life in hand.
If by some chance, you share
The feelings that I have for you
Come occupy the chasm of my heart.
Together we can
Shed light on the dark.
Scary it's true
But we'll be happy, too.
Now do you really want
To say goodbye
And leave me high and dry?
Light yourself with life.
Light yourself with love.
Light yourself with memories.
As we go, we'll forget the pain
We'll find life again.
As we go, we'll forget the pain
We'll find life again.

My Mighty Princess

2008-12-01T06:30:00.027-07:00

((summary taken from azntv))

무림여대생 / Murim yeodaesaeng

Hailing from a celebrated martial arts family, So Hui (Shin Min Ah) is the darling of the martial arts community with her superhuman strength and high-flying prowess. But being a martial arts prodigy isn't much help when it comes to getting handsome brooding hockey player Jun Mo (Yoo Gun) to notice her.

Much to the dismay of her father (Choi Jae Seong) and longtime friend Il Young (Ohn Joo Wan), So Hui decides to quit martial arts and join the college hockey team. While So Hui's pining after Jun Mo who's pining after an older woman, fighting breaks out in the martial arts community as a decades-long conflict comes to a head. So Hui may be the only person who can subdue the evil Black Tiger and solve the mystery surrounding the strife.

My Sassy Girl director Kwak Jae Yong strikes again with the delightful romantic action comedy. Taking Kwak's sassy-heroine formula to another level with Hong Kong-style wirework, My Mighty Princess delivers action, laughter, and pure popcorn entertainment.

Directed by: Jae-young Kwak
Cast: Min-a Shin, Ju-wan On, Geon Yu

My Rating:

I'm a huge fan of martial arts comedies (as any fan of Ranma 1/2 can tell you), so of course I loved this (enter slight bias here). The martial arts were awesome, and I liked the originality of the plot (and it had very cool stunt work and special effects). I especially liked the big battle at the end, as well as the first big fight with the four older "masters." Of course it wasn't perfect... but I'll address the biggest problem I had with it later (and I bet it's not what you're expecting).

First, I really liked how they combined the ancient with the modern. At first, I was a little uncertain what time-period this was supposed to be set in (with the flashbacks to ideal Wuxia-land--or where ever that place was) but eventually I grew to like the uncertainty. It made me feel like I was watching a classic martial arts film, with dashes of modernity thrown in for fun (though I'm sure I'm alone in this opinion, lol). Plus, I like how it highlighted the tension between tradition and youthful rebellion, and how people are still naturally drawn to the conventions of custom, no matter how much they try to escape it. That's what I personally really liked about the ending... it brings our main characters back to the beginning, and forces them to confront what they've been fighting against all along (though, really, they didn't put up that much of a fight, haha).

However, I wish it hadn't come quite so late into the film.

In the end it would have been nice to see how the incident at the end changes the characters and forces them to grow... but unfortunately we're shown very little of the aftereffects of the battle. I would love to see a sequel, but I'm sure that's not going to happen seeing as how this took about 2 1/2 years just to come out.

Oddly enough, the one thing that prevented me from giving this five stars was the love triangle.

As much as I loved her friend Il Young, I don't like how they made his character seem so goofy, and well, fruity. I actually thought he was supposed to be her gay best friend... though it was probably my own mistake. He was hilarious and cute, but because of my aforementioned assumption, I never pictured him as a serious contender for So Hui's affections. Plus, he seems more interested in motorcycles and being used as comic fodder--not as possible relationship material. And I know how the goofy-best friend thing works (I LOVE Love At First Fight) so I'm not sure if it was just because of the actor playing him or what, but there you go...

Il Young's intentions become clear much too late, so I found it hard to forget my first impressions and completely get behind them as a couple... which is sad, because I couldn't really see her with the hockey player either. However, many of my favorite parts in the movie came through Il-Young's actions (doing laundry, trying to climb up the building, "camouflage"). Plus, he was cute. It seemed like they didn't quite know what to do with his character though (unlike the other main characters). His revelation at the end (and his transformation into an awesome bad-ass who could kick butt) should have come sooner. If we'd been introduced to him doing something martial-artsy, my opinion might have been different. Plus I liked him better with short hair (but that's just me being difficult). Still, he was hilarious.

As for the main character: I really like Shin Mi-Na's portrayal of So Hui. She could do the cute, innocent boy-crazy stalker to perfection AND throw a punch and handle a sword like no other. Actually, I don't think there's a movie or drama she's been in that I haven't liked. She's one of my favorite Korean actresses (which is pretty impressive when you consider all the Korean actresses I don't like, lol). I LOVED her character.

Bottom line: if you like martial arts-oriented comedies, then you'll love this. I did. Just remind yourself that Il Young actually likes her, and you should clear the hurdle I stumbled over quite easily. ^_^

Yi San (77 Episodes)

2008-11-19T10:28:00.088-07:00

EPISODE 01-77

((summary taken from wikipedia))

이산-정조대왕 (李祘-正祖大王) / Yi San - King Jeong Jo

Yi San dramatizes the life of Korea's King Jeong Jo, the 22nd ruler of the Joeson Dynasty. Jeong Jo is remembered in Korean history for his sympathy with the plight of the common man.

It begins in Jeong Jo's early years, when he befriends two children working in the Palace (Sung Song Yeon and Dae Su). However, due to corruption in the government, the two are expelled from their positions and forced to flee.

Years later, they are finally reunited with Jeong Jo, whose position as Crown Prince is constantly being threatened by palace intrigue. As for his love life: Jeong Jo falls in love with his childhood friend Song Yeon, who is the daughter of a deceased artist, and not of noble birth.

While the show does deviate from the historical record in a number of ways, it's representation of court life during the Joseon Dynasty appears to be based on contemporary sources.

Cast: Lee Seo Jin, Han Ji Min, Park Eun Hye, Lee Jong Soo, Lee Soon Jae, Kyun Mi Ri, Sung Hyun Ah, Kim Yeo Jin, Lee Ip Sae, Ji Sang Ryul
Directed by: Kim Geun-Hong, Lee Byeong-Hoon

My Rating:

I feel a little guilty only giving this ambitious drama 4 stars... but when I compared it to other series of its kind (Damo, Jewel in the Palace) I just couldn't bring myself to give it higher.

The problem I had with Yi San is an obvious one: it's 77 episodes, and it feels like it.

They could have easily cut this series in half if they wanted in (or at least stopped before 60). I think I even read someplace that it initially had less episodes, but kept getting extended because of its popularity. If that was the case, I'd be curious to see how much better it would have been had they stuck to their original number of intended episodes.

My problem? It was the exact same thing over and over again, only with a different "threat" each time: Evil people plan to assasinate the prince, prince is saved, evil people plan to discredit the prince, prince is discredited for an episode, prince is proven innocent soon after, prince then discredits one of the evil people; repeat cycle (except later, prince becomes king).

It was like watching a little kid stick their hand in a fire. They get burned, but insist on doing it again, and again, and again... and rather than getting punished, they just keep getting their hand slapped and learn nothing. You'd think they'd learn after the third or fourth time... but noooo.

But everything else was terrific: the setting, the costumes, the acting, directing, and music.

I love the actors they chose for the kids. Once they became adults, I could still see the kids through the actions and mannerisms of the adults: Dae Su and Jeong Ju especially. There were certain looks they'd get that would just SCREAM their younger counterparts, and I was amazed at how similar they became. It really was like I was watching them as grownups, not just actors. And that doesn't happen very often for me, so I really appreciated that.

And strangely enough, my favorite character ended up being a side-character, Hong Gook Young. He was just awesome. I'm not sure why I ended up liking him so much... but I did. Even more so than Yi San and Dae Su for some reason (Though Dae Su was second).

So in conclusion: only watch Yi San if you're a fan of period dramas, or a huge follower of one of the main actors. If you're not a fan of really long series that tend to drag and repeat, you may want to steer clear.

Save The Green Planet!

2008-10-29T09:41:00.025-06:00

((summary taken from azntv))
지구를지켜라! /Jigureul Jikyeora!

Byung-Gu is an ordinary young man living in Korea. He believes that all of the earth's social ills are the evil doings of aliens who are intent on destroying the world. That's why he knows that unless he can meet the prince from Andromeda before the total lunar eclipse, planet earth will be in grave danger.
In order to meet the prince, he must find an extraterrestrial living on earth.

So Byung-Gu kidnaps the most logical suspect, KANG Man-Shik, the president and CEO of Yoojae Chemical Company. Thus starts the battle between Byung-Gu, who's trying to uncover a secret alien plot to destroy the earth and CEO Kang Man-Shik, who thinks Byung-Gu's nuts and is trying desperately to escape. Will Byung-Gu save the green planet? Or will the aliens or the detectives hot on his trail, triumph first?

This was the directorial debut of Jang Jun-Hwan, who also wrote the film. It was nominated for eight awards and won seven of them (wikipedia).

Cast: Shin Ha-Kyun, Baek Yun-shik, Hwang Jeong-min, Lee Jae-yong
Directed by: Jang Jun-Hwan

My Rating:

Oh, I liked this movie.

I must admit... I was pulled in by the simplicity of its poster. I mean, just look at it... doesn't it just scream "feel-good comedy" or "fun family film?". Well, if you overlook the poison that is, haha. It's a great contrast to the film's summary, and even more so to the actual film which is anything but cute and innocent. But it is funny--sometimes maniacally so--and that's why it works.

The main character is an unlikely hero. Not only because he shows signs of being mentally unstable, but because you find yourself cheering for him even when you suspect he might really be crazy. Somehow, he comes off as extremely likable. Even when he’s doing something inhumane or violent, you don’t want him to get caught—you want his crazy alien-theories to be true, and for all those deaths to have some sort of purpose.

And trying to figure out if he’s crazy or sane is what keeps this film moving. Even when you think you’ve got it figured out, the rug is pulled out from under you again and again. Right up until the end, I wasn’t sure if his alien-theories would prove true (because really, what other twist could there be?) or if something else was going on behind the scenes that we just didn’t know about. I must have changed my mind three or four times throughout the course of the movie… and still manages to be surprised at the end.

It was so much fun! I felt like I was on a roller coaster. ^_^

The acting was brilliant (of course, the fact that the characters were all unique, didn’t hurt). The main character was amazing… you have to be pretty talented to make the audience so torn: and it’s not often that I willingly root for the “villain”. And even the side-characters had interesting storylines, and were wonderfully acted. There wasn’t one character here that I didn’t like. They were all interesting and well-rounded, rather than your typically flat, one-dimensional side-characters.

And the overall tone was very interesting. Even with its dark and creepy setting… you’re never really afraid. There’s a sense of the ridiculous to every scene, which kept it from becoming standard “horror” fare. And even when I was afraid… it was fear for the main character, not his prisoner. It was a nice change, since we’re rarely ever shown the story from the killer’s point of view, and rarely ever find ourselves torn over who we should be rooting for. The director, Jang Joon-Hwan, is awesome, and I plan to watch more of his work in the future.

Another thing this movie had going for it was the successful melding of different genres. It incorporates everything: horror, romance, comedy, sci-fi, thriller, drama, and even some gore and revenge. And STILL manages to end with a pretty powerful message on humanity and the poor working conditions of Koreans. Underneath, it’s got a lot more going for it than you’d originally think.

Overall, it was a creative, original, and entertaining film, which managed to keep me guessing from beginning to end. I loved it, but I can’t say that everyone will feel the same. Either way, it’s still a great way to waste a couple of hours, so if you have some extra time why not give it a try? You might just find yourself walking away pleasantly surprised…

The only thing that kept me from giving it 5 stars, was the fact that for me, this isn't the type of movie I'd want to watch again and again. Many people may disagree, but from a personal standpoint the majority of the suspense came from finding out how it would end... and once you know, there isn't much reason to watch it again or to analyze it further. I know a lot of people debate over the ending, but for me it was pretty self-explanatory, especially if you watch the director's commentary on the DVD.

My Rating:

Death Bell

2008-10-27T05:52:00.052-06:00

((summary taken from azntv))
고死 : 피의 중간고사 / Gosa

A chi-chi private high school, which actively encourages cutthroat competition among the student body by, for instance, publicly displaying their exam score rankings, selects twenty elite members and organizes a boot camp of sorts, to prepare for an international student exchange event.

To their chagrin, the students, including rebellious heroine Ina (the singer Nam Gyu-ri), her timid best buddette Myong-hyo (Son Yeo-eun) and her wannabe-boyfriend Hyun (the sit-com idol Kim Beom), and the teachers, uptight English teacher So-young (Yoon Jeong-hee, TV's Happy Woman) and popular Korean instructor Chang-wook (Lee Beom-soo, City of Violence) find themselves stuck inside the school. Somebody is kidnapping students one by one, in the order of their midterm score ranks, and killing them. The gruesome ways in which they die are broadcast via the school AV system: the only way to prevent the hideous murders is to find correct solutions to the culprit's "exam questions" in time.

Cast: Lee Beom-Su, Yun Jeong-Hee, Nam Gyu-Ri, Kim Beom
Director: Director Chang

My Rating:

I was extremely disappointed with this movie.

For one, after reading the summary and watching the first five minutes, I got the impression that it was going to be a lot like Battle Royale or even Saw. Instead it turned out to be just another Whispering Corridors-type clone, and not a very good one. The concept seemed original at first glance (at least for a typical Korean horror movie); however, what starts out as a promising premise is quickly overshadowed by a ton of horror movie clichés, and many unanswered (and stupid) explanations.

Personally, I liked the idea of students being kidnapped one by one, and how the class was being forced to work together and solve the puzzles in order to save them. Unfortunately, the writer and director started taking it in a different direction shortly after the game was introduced. Rather than having the class play the game like it's set up, it follows the typical horror trend... students rebel, groups start to split up, a crazy kid stalks the campus... and the game becomes secondary with only two or three people actually bothering to play. Instead we're forced to sit through some dumb investigation while several of the main characters search for the culprit.

That, and I STRONGLY disliked the ending...

SPOILERS

Throughout the entire movie, it's obvious that there's some kind of supernatural element at work--the crazy kid sees it, the main girl sees it, the students in the dorm are confronted by it. But instead of focusing on that, they choose to give us a "realistic" motive for the game, which just makes the whole thing seem ridiculous and stupid. It's like saying, here, have a convenient plot twist.

They needed to choose ONE direction to take the conclusion in: either have the killer be the dead ghost OR have it be the dead girl's parents seeking revenge. Not both! As it is, it just doesn't make sense.

Even if her parents were upset/angry over their daughter's death, the way they attempted to find the culprit was just exaggerated and stupid. In a truly realistic ending, the parents would have taken the cell-phone to the police and had THEM track down the killer, then taken their revenge after finding out it was the teacher. Instead, they decide to break into the school, torment students, and create complicated puzzles that will eventually reveal that their daughter was murdered. Seriously... the ghost could have done that herself. And it would have been MORE believable!

Maybe I missed something, but how did they find out why their daughter was killed in the first place? They must have had her cell-phone, but even then, it's not like she would have told them what happened at school... if she had, they would have gone to the school with her and confronted the principal. And why would the killer actually return her cell-phone to her parents anyway? Wouldn't he have checked it first and deleted such an incriminating video? And how did kidnapping/killing their daughter's friends avenge their daughter and help them track down the killer?!

If you're going to choose a motive that's realistic, then believable explanations should be required... and they didn't have any.

They even went so far as to portray the girl's mother as a ghost. Yet from what I understood, the girl's mother wasn't dead... they just had her acting like she was. They had HER carrying on the typical "ghost" character: glassy eyes, white dress, strange unnatural movements, crawling around in the ceiling. And yet they show her wielding a knife, and actually getting killed by the teacher.

And then their daughter is the "other" ghost that is haunting the crazy kid and the main character, only to conclude with THE MOST cliché ending of all: the dead girl has possessed her best friend.

Gee, never seen that before!

Besides, I'm still mad that the stupid game was rigged... they all die regardless of whether or not they solve the puzzles in time. So what was the point?

This is how the movie should have gone: it opens with a beautiful spring day, we're shown the auditorium. Slowly the camera pans in on the dead girl and we hear a scream as her body's discovered. The movie starts off the same--the creepy dream (minus annoying camera shaking) and the special classroom of brilliant students. Then the game begins. The killer is the ghost--forget about her stupid parents. She was murdered, everyone thinks it was suicide, the school's still corrupt, and she's pissed. She locks everyone in the classroom and forces them to answer her exam questions... each is somehow related to her death... and each time a question is over, she takes another student from the room, right in front of everyone, and they can't stop her. Because she's a ghost. However, she skips over her best friend who were innocent in her death (though the shy, innocent one was actually guilty of something that's revealed in an exam question, and she--possibly--dies). The final student and the final question reveals the killer--she possesses her best friend and kills the teacher. Everyone's happy. Except the people who are dead, and the one who survived and now need psychiatric help.

In my version, realism wouldn't have even been a factor. And most importantly, we could have been spared the horribly cliché, pathetic, overused ending(s).

END OF SPOILERS

Still, I can't say it's exactly a bad movie. The acting is top-notch, and the directing is pretty good (though the constant shaking during the dream sequence at the beginning was really annoying). And at least you can tell they tried to make an interesting script. I just wish they had kept it more supernatural, and not tired so hard to explain the reasons behind the quiz/puzzles.

Oh well, at least I finally got to see Kim Beom in something. Ever since I heard he's going to be in the Korean Drama version of Hana Yori Dango, I've been curious to see how he acts. And in this movie, he was one of my favorite characters.

Overall, it's not a bad movie to watch if you feel like watching a horror movie. Just don't expect it to be any different from the hundreds of other Korean horror movies out there. Watch it only for entertainment, not to find the next breakthrough in Korean horror.

My Rating:

Kids

2008-10-13T15:37:00.030-06:00

((summary taken from azntv))
KIDS

On the outside, tough scrapyard worker Takeo (Tamaki Hiroshi) seems to have nothing in common with the innocent, almost childlike Asato (Koike Teppei), but both are lonely souls bearing dark pasts. Crossing paths by chance, Takeo, Asato, and shy diner waitress Shiho (Kuriyama Chiaki) strike up an unlikely friendship, making life in their dead-end hometown a bit more bearable. Asato was born with special powers that prove to be both his blessing and his curse: he has the ability to transfer other people's wounds to his own body.

He can't help but try to heal those around him, including Takeo and Shiho, but his powers come at a painful cost. Asato's powers tore apart his family years ago and continue to tear at him in the present. With Asato determined to hurt himself to help others, Takeo may be the only one who can save his friend.

Otsuichi's works are known for their acute depictions of pain and loneliness, and Kids again hits the heart with the story of three friends walking a long and lonely road of suffering and healing.
Cast: Teppei Koike, Hiroshi Tamaki, Yuki Saito, Shigeru Izumiya
Directed by: Tatsuya Hagishima

My Rating:

What a beautiful movie.

First of all, I really loved the premise: a story about a boy who has the ability to transfer other peoples injuries onto himself.

I've always loved Koike Teppei (Lovely Complex; band, WaT) and Hiroshi Tamaki (Nodame Contabile; A Sleeping Forest), so even before reading the synopsis, I was determined to watch this movie. Both are superb actors for one, so I knew they'd have no problem bringing their characters to life, and for another, they're both incredibly good looking, which is a definite plus. ^_^

In the end, though, they ended up bringing more to this movie than I'd anticipated. Honestly, I thought Kids would be a bit slow and boring, despite the summary, so the main reason I was watching it was for the eye-candy and to see how they'd handle the almost supernatural aspect of their main character.

Luckily, it was a lot deeper than I gave it credit for.

The director really knew what he was doing: terrific music, great acting, tight story. And despite its impressive length (around 149 minutes) it didn't drag or seem slow at all. The character and family dynamics was enough to keep me watching. I especially liked how it was set in a small dead-end town, with a western-style diner as one of its main settings. The themes are very universal and something everyone can understand and recognize. I think a Western audience in particular can appreciate the different ways disconnected families were portrayed, and how they're eventually all shown in a more promising light. It's interesting how the act of forgiveness and healing is almost entirely initiated by the kids who have been wronged in some way by their parents, showing just how strong children can be.

I ADORED Koike Teppei's character.

Life was so unfair to him, I couldn't help but empathize. I love how he didn't harbor hatred or hold any grudges... he was always eager to help those in need regardless of the pain it caused himself. It was so touching and sad.

I also liked how they showed their friendship develop--from eating at the diner, defending each other, to converging at the park. The scene where the three new friends all come together without a word and start fixing up the decrepit old playground does a great job of establishing their friendship, as well as giving us a peek at their inner strengths and character. Like the park, each is trying to improve a part of themselves... and watching them grow and mature throughout the movie is part of its overall appeal.

I love how little kids just appear out of nowhere to start playing on the playground the minute it's fixed up and usable again. They really seem to bring the park (and in a way, the town) to life once more. Before they appeared, I was seriously starting to wonder if only six or seven people lived there, lol. While they were working, I thought, "Which kids are they fixing the park up for?"

Even with the supernatural element of Asato's gift, the story is very real, and the characters easy to like and sympathize with. I love the way they connect family, friendship, and hope. For awhile there, I was convinced that it would have a horribly sad, heart-wrenching ending... but it didn't. And I enjoyed it all the more because of it.

I'll admit... I cried a lot at the end.

Throughout the film, it's like Asato has taken it upon himself to rid everyone in the world of pain, and is willing to carry that burden on his shoulders alone. Then that touching scene towards the end occurs, and suddenly, your hope in humanity is restored.

In the end, it's a touching movie that somehow manages to end with a beautiful message. Everything doesn't have to be dark and depressing -- Life is what you make of it -- Every parent loves their child -- Never give up hope.

I really loved this movie.

My Rating:

Hansel and Gretel

2008-09-29T11:43:00.034-06:00

((summary taken from jdramas at livejournal))

헨젤과 그레텔

A children's beloved fairy tale takes a bizarre and frightening twist in Hansel and Gretel, a blood-spatting fantasy horror from award-winning director Lim Pil Seong. In the classic folk tale, the two young protagonists happily find their way back home after pushing the evil witch into the burning furnace. But beneath its happy telling lies the disturbing truth that traces roots back to one of history's darkest times when poverty forced many parents to abandon their kids...

While on his way to reunite with his long-lost mother, Eun Soo runs into an accident and loses consciousness. Waking up in the middle of a dark forest, he meets a red-cloaked girl who guides him to her eerie-looking house where he meets her strange family. Though it's quite obvious that there are no contacts with the outside world, the house is somehow always filled with toys, sweets, and other unimaginable goodies. Eun Soo soon learns there is no way out of the forest and a few days later, he notices that the children are bringing in more grown-ups from the woods..
Cast: Chun Jung Myung, Eun Won-Jae, Sim Eun-Kyeong, Jim Ji-Hee
Directed by: Lim Pil-Seong

My Rating:

Originally, I was under the impression that this was another horror movie (which is what the summary from livejournal describes it as). However, after searching around the internet I learned that very few people actually consider it a horror film, but instead categorize it as a fantasy drama. After seeing the film for myself, I'm still under the impression that it's mainly horror, or a 'dark fantasy drama' at best.
Anyway, in the beginning, this movie really freaked me out.
When I say "freaked out", I don't mean it scared me or had my nerves on a wire. I mean, the acting was so strange and strained, that it was almost funny: I wasn't sure what to make of it. It wasn't scary... it was just so odd, and a far cry from what I've come to expect from these type of movies... it was like watching wind-up dolls acting, and finding myself in some really weird, warped dream.

It didn't take long to realize this is all intentional...

The reasons quickly become obvious as everything in Hansel and Gretal slowly starts to make sense. In the end, this is actually one of the things I liked about the movie. We're given pieces of a puzzle throughout its 116 minute run, and don't get to see the whole picture until the very end. Everything we're watching is a mystery, and watching the mystery unfold is what kept me watching. And it just kept getting stranger and stranger... though in a good way. ^_^

The child actors were just amazing. I was very impressed with their acting, and really felt for their situation. And that evil religious guy gave me the creeps, so he must have done something right. The main character was good, though honestly, it didn't seem that hard of a role to play. I'm guessing just about anyone could have pulled it off... still, he did do a great job. He really embodied the "nice uncle" that people can easily relate to. (Update: After experiencing Chun Jung Myung's overwhelming greatness in What's Up Fox? I hereby recant my initial reaction to his acting in this film: he was brilliant, and I plan on marrying him sometime in the near future. This movie's oddity must have affected me more profoundly than originally thought.)

Now for the directing. I really liked the way it was shot... the director was great and really knew what he was doing. There were so many interesting scenes that it was hard for me to decide which shots to use from all my screencaps. And I really loved the shifting of the seasons throughout the film, the use of the forest for its setting, the children's clothing, the creepy attic, the door in the forest... and of course the references to the original story Hansel and Gretel that were scattered throughout. Especially the use of breadcrumbs and the oven.

However, I can't say that the plot in the end was completely original. I've seen several plots just like this from various American television shows, namely episodes from The Twilight Zone and (possibly) Most Amazing Stories or Tales from The Dark Side. Of course, it was the first time I'd seen this sort of twist in an Asian movie, so I guess I have to give it some credit for that. Plus, it was used well.

The only problem I had with it overall, was that there are so many unanswered questions in the end. Granted, they weren't really necessary to understand the general plot, but still, they would have been nice to know more about. And also, I still don't completely understand the significance of the ending. I was really hoping it would end differently, although it still managed to end some-what happily.

Overall, it was enjoyable, unique, and fun to watch. I'm not sure if everyone would like it... but if you're a fan of series like The Outer Limits, Tales from the Darkside, or The Twilight Zone (like I am), then you'd probably enjoy it. ^_^

But on another note... I still say this had more elements of horror than drama, so a horror-fantasy is how I'm going to categorize it. After all, you can't have a song with little kids singing "la la la" in a creepy voice, have a dark haired "ghost" reach out of an attic door, pictures of creepy rabbit-men on the walls, and a little girl sitting in a room tearing stuffing out of a stuffed bear, and claim it DOESN'T have elements of horror.

My Rating:

Beautiful (아름답다)

2008-09-17T14:14:00.041-06:00

((summary by me))

아름답다 / Arumdabda

Everyone wants to be beautiful, don't they?

Some go to extremes with unhealthy diets and plastic surgery; others worship and emulate models, read beauty and fashion magazines, and spend money at salons in order to be beautiful. Yet few really consider the darker side of such an obsession. Sometimes beauty isn't as wonderful as it's made out to be... and it doesn't always lead to 'happily ever after'.

Jeon Jae-Hong explores this darker concept of beauty in his feature film debut, Beautiful (Kim Ki-Duk wrote the original story and produced). Instead of showing us a woman striving for beauty, we're shown a protagonist who is already the epitome of what many women wish to become. Eun Young is a natural beauty: Young girls look up to her, men desire her, woman wish to be her. She seems to lack nothing, and is admired by many.

But as Eun Young discovers... beauty has its price.

Cast: Cha Su-Yeon, Lee Chun-Hee
Directed by: Jeon Jae-Hong

Warning: this movie contains disturbing images, nudity, and violence. So don't say I didn't warn you!!

My Rating:

What I really liked about his movie was that it's easy to watch and understand (which is definitely to Jeon's credit). The plot is straight-forward and is missing some of the ambiguity and surrealism I've come to expect from many of Kim Ki-Duk's work--and in this case, that's not a bad thing. The concept of beauty is already an abstract idea at best. Here, he breaks it down to its simplest form by touching upon a subject people are already familiar with, albeit in a disturbingly, realistic way. We aren't often shown the ugly side of beautiful people: the loneliness that comes with it, the pressure, the danger, the uncertainty, fear, and self-doubt.

Jeon uses a lot of clever visuals that touch upon this theme in one way or another: the cop's beautiful fish he keeps in jars, the blood-splattered painting, everyone's reaction to the stalker's video, the flower (tulip?), the perverts at the end. The list goes on and on...

As for the ending, I have my own interpretation. It may not be right (in fact, it's probably way off the mark) but I'm just going to say that it's open to many different readings, and that this may be one of them.

SPOILERS

The movie itself is a reflection on society's obsession with beauty. The treatment Eun Young receives immediately after being raped is a great testament to this fact--the investigator hints that it may have been her own fault because of how she looks; her rapist confronts her, saying, "Your beauty raped me!"; on her way home she faints and is immediately surrounded by a group of men (only men) who each fight for the right to help her; the helpful cop goes home and masturbates to her stalker's video footage. Even afterwards, when Eun Young becomes obsessed with ruining her beauty, she can't escape society's (or man's) obsession with the beautiful. Even after locking herself in a toilet, binge-eating and throwing up, the "helpful" cop is overcome with sudden desire and must forcefully stop himself from kissing her; later, she passes out and is brought to the hospital where the doctor uses that opportunity to cop a feel and passively hit on her; even after she's dead, both morticians find themselves sexually drawn to her cadaver and take advantage. There's no escape--even in death, people are drawn to beauty.

Throughout the film, Eun Young and the helpful cop seem torn over what they want. Following the rape and the loss of her innocence (her virginity) Eun Young is torn between wanting to live and die--she flirts with the idea of cutting her wrists, but ultimately decides she wants to live. Since it was her beauty and scent that drew her stalker to him, she decides to eliminate both things from her life. She tries to sabotage her beauty by overeating and not bathing--but looking for a quicker solution, changes to exercising and bulimia, hoping to become so thin she'll drive potential stalkers away. In a way, she accomplishes her goal... but instead of finding comfort and safety, she's torn and confused, regretting her decision as she slowly becomes someone she no longer recognizes. She wants to be who she was before the rape... and yet, the memory of the man who ruined her continues to haunt her; preventing her from effectively moving on.

The helpful police officer has his own share of struggles. From the beginning, we can see he's a man who appreciates beauty... his wall is filled with pictures of flowers and pretty scenery, he keeps beautiful fish which he talks to and cares for. When he first meets Eun Young, he seems genuinely sympathetic and concerned for her. He condemns the rapist for his action; stands up to his superior when he disagrees with his treatment of her; helps her from an uncomfortable situation when she's surrounded by a group of men shortly after her rape. But slowly... gradually, you see his helpfulness becoming more obsessive in nature. Soon it's almost like he's stalking her--he follows her around out of "concern", watches her unhealthy eating habits, learns to recognize the things she likes and dislikes, rescues her when she's in trouble, guards her from outside her apartment, takes her picture and hangs it on his wall, masturbates to her image, kills his fish, and eventually (almost angrily) screams that he loves her. In a way, he's become the rapist he originally detested and condemned.

However, it's also possible to argue that he never really hated the rapist to start with. That in a way, he felt threatened or envious of the man's ability to do what he didn't think he had the balls to--to let his base desires take control, and just take her for himself. It's the familiar idea that "all men are pigs"--and that even those who try to argue the contrary, are in the end, still only interested in women as sex objects. The fact that many of his actions in the end reflect those of the rapist seems to attest for this idea.

But here's where the ending scene really comes into play. It's important to remember that although the original rapist blamed Eun Young's beauty for ruining his life... he still takes responsibility for his actions. When he learns she was a virgin, he leaves all of his identification and goes straight to the police station to turn himself in. The helpful cop reacts in a similar way, though he takes it a step further. When his obsession reaches its breaking point, he shifts the responsibility to Eun Young completely--he tapes a gun to her hand and gives her the means to control the situation herself, thereby freeing himself from any guilt or wrongdoing his actions could cause. He's just like the original rapist--basically saying "I can't hold back anymore, so I'll pay the price."

Ultimately it's a cop-out. In the end, it's Eun Young who's forced to deal with the repercussions of his actions anyway. Just like before.

And the thing is... Eun Young might have actually had feelings for the helpful cop. She left the door open (possibly on purpose), knowing he was right outside her door. And when he first starts to sleep with her--rape her--whatever you want to call it, she sees it's him and finally smiles. But then, suddenly, she starts to remember the original rape and the smile disappears. When helpful cop sits up, she hallucinates and sees her original rapist's face instead, and panicking, fires the gun. This of course sets off a psychological breakdown, which leads to her shoot out with the cops, and her death.

The sad thing is, this could have all been avoided. If society had made an effort--or even if Eun Young had made an effort--she could have gotten help. In the least, she needed counseling or someone to talk to. If helpful cop guy had genuinely loved her, rather than lusting after her beauty, he could have helped her properly and they could have started a healthy relationship, rather than the train wreck it became.

END SPOILERS

Again, that was just my interpretation, so ignore it if you disagree... or better yet, leave a comment with your own thoughts. ^_^

In a completely unrelated topic, I just love the poster they chose for this film. It really embodies the whole concept beautifully (ooh, a pun!). In fact, the second I saw this poster something in me just screamed "Kim Ki-Duk"--which is funny, since it turned out he didn't even direct this one, lol. But Jeon (Kim's protégé) uses mirrors and reflections in much the same way, so it's fitting that she should be looking at her reflection in such a thoughtful, pensive manner. After all, in this film they take the concept "beauty is only skin-deep" to a whole different level.

I really did enjoy this movie. (As you can probably tell by the length of the review). ^_^

As a huge fan of Kim's work, I will definitely be checking out more of Jeon Jae-Hong's work in the future!

Here are my favorite Kim Ki-Duk films in order (I'm including this one since he wrote the story and produced it--besides, Jeon's style is so very similar I couldn't even tell them apart!). This way I can remind myself how to grade them in the future or how they measure up (though I never did get around to reviewing Breath. Oh well, I'd give it a 4).

Crocodile, 3 Iron, Beautiful, Time, Breathe, Bad Guy

My Rating:

Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do

2008-09-15T19:22:00.058-06:00

((summary from Wikipedia, edited by me))

도레미파솔라시도

Jung-won is a high school student who works several part time jobs. One day while working at an amusement park, she is continuously harassed by a boy who keeps making fun of her dragon costume... upset, Jung-won pours soda on him and storms off.

Soon after, she sees that same boy, who's name is Eun Gye, moving into the house next door. Eun Gye is the lead singer/guitarist in a band called Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do, and threatens to tell Jung-won’s parents that she works several part time jobs unless she agrees to carry his guitar for a week.

Jung-won and Eun-Gye quickly develop feelings for each other, and the two become a couple. But soon after that, Jung-won meets Hee-won, a familiar person from her past, who is Eun-Gye's best friend and a member in his band. Jung-won and Hee-won had a falling out 10 years ago, and Hee-won stopped talking to her completely. Now Hee-won admits that he still likes Jung-won, and Jung-won finds herself torn between her friendship to Hee-won and her love for Eun-Gye.

Cast: Jang Geun-Suk, Cha Ye-Ryun, Jung Eui-Chul
Directed by: Kang Geon-Hyang

My Rating:

DoReMi... is a teen-angst-romance; heavy on the angst. It's based on a book of the same name, and by the same writer who brought us Temptation of Wolves and He was Cool, both of which I've seen and enjoyed (to an extent). I liked this one as well... though I must admit it was mostly for one reason: The music. But I'll get to that later.

First, the actors. I'll admit I was a little dismayed when I realized the main star was Jang Geun Suk. I just saw him in Hong Gil Dong and for some reason (contrary to popular opinion) I found his portrayal of the angst-ridden prince to be unemotional, flat, and boring (which now, looking back, is probably how the character was meant to be portrayed, lol). So when I started this, I rolled my eyes and groaned, annoyed that I was going to have to watch this "pretty boy" attempting to act yet again.

However, he wasn't bad.

In fact, he was actually great, and ended up being the best part of the movie for me. I'm not sure if it was because he was playing a character he could easily relate to, or because he was no longer acting beside a genius like Kang Ji Hwan... whatever it was, it worked. Well, for me, anyway. And of course it didn't hurt that he was playing a character as likable and sweet as Eun Gye. The other main actors did well too, particularly the girl who's character I ended up really liking in the end. But really, JGS is the one that stole the show (which makes sense, since a majority of the viewers probably only watched it for JGS anyway).

But here's fair warning: avoid this movie if you dislike angst. They have it in truckloads! It's not even the good will-have-you-in-tears kind of angst (at least, not until the very end). It's the type that doesn't make any sense, and you want to strangle the guy that's being a big baby and creating unnecessary drama for our main couple; in this case, Hee Won. His character is so amazingly annoying, and in the wrong, that you just want to slap some sense into him--multiple times. And Jung Won can be a little frustrating too, since she's so nice and self-sacrificing, that you just want to shake her and tell her to "man up" already (which is frustrating in itself, since she starts off as such a strong-willed, no-nonsense kind of girl, only to have it all disappear the minute she sees Hee Won).

As for the romance... I'm always amazed at how quickly romances are established in movies. Here, all it takes is for Eun Gye to anger a female dragon-mascot, move in next door, and voila--recipe for love. It seems silly that he fell so hard and so fast, especially when he's semi-famous and has girls throwing themselves at him left and right. Luckily, Jung Won is very cute and I really liked her character/actress... so at least it had that going for it. Most romantic comedies I watch, don't.

However, I couldn't help but wish they had made this into a drama rather than a movie. That way, we could have seen their relationship develop and grow over time, which would have made the overwhelming angst a lot more bearable and forgivable towards the end. As it is, everything happens way too fast and some of the "twists" seemed too contrived. I wish the "drama" in these movies would be more believable, rather than the same old things. A teen's life is dramatic enough as it is... so why don't the writers rely on those events rather than these melodramatic silly "miracle" solutions they come up with?! Nobody in the real world acts like these teenagers do. At least, I really HOPE not!

But anyway, on to the music.

Honestly, I'm not a huge k-pop fan. I usually find myself leaning more towards Japanese music than anything else, and yet, every single song Jang Geun Suk sang, I loved. His voice may not be perfect, but the way he sings is very real. If he's singing a sad song, you can feel it--if it's a happy song, he'll be smiling and enthusiastic, and just make the song come alive. I'm kind of surprised he's not a professional singer. I was so disappointed when I went to download the soundtrack, and found that none of his versions of the songs made it onto the OST. I liked every song he sang in the movie better than the "official" releases.

In conclusion, it's a good movie to watch if you want to waste some time, or stare at a couple cute guys for hours (oh, I feel like a fangirl); or if you just want to watch a movie with a decent soundtrack and teen-ridden angst. Just don't expect to be blown away by the plot, or find something new and original from the genre. Cliches abound. Also, I'm partial to good looking, young, talented singer/musician type plots... so perhaps that's why I enjoyed it a bit more than a lot of the silly teen romances out there.

AND it has a happy ending! So really, what could be better than that? ^_^

My Rating:

Alone

2008-02-10T08:21:00.006-07:00

((summary taken from AsianMediaWiki))

Pim is a young Thai woman living in Korea with her husband Wee. At her birthday a friend reads her fortune with a deck of cards and informs her that there is happy news! Something she has lost will soon return to her! But some lost things are better off staying lost. You see, Pim moved to Korea partially to escape the guilt of being the surviving half of a pair of conjoined twins. Her sister Ploy died after separation, a separation that Pim insisted on largely because she was in love with Wee and the guilt of choosing her husband over her sister and her sister’s resulting death has plagued her ever since. Much as she would prefer to avoid it, however, Pim soon has no choice but to return to her childhood home when her mother is felled by a stroke and – sure enough – it isn’t long before the spirit of her dead sister begins to angrily intrude upon her life.

My Rating:

One of my absolute favorite horror films is the Thai horror/thriller Shutter… so of course, when I heard the directors had a new film out, I immediately had to hunt it down and download it. And I wasn’t disappointed! Alone is a terrific addition to the horror genre…and another testament of Thailand (and Asia’s) ability to create successful, thrilling horror/ghost films. For me, American movies and remakes just don’t have the ability to scare me like Thai, Japanese, or Korean films do. Honestly, even Hostel seemed tame after trying to stomach Japan’s, Audition.

But again, here, Alone is no exception.

Everything was spot on: the directing, the lighting, the acting, the music, the sound effects—some of the shots themselves were overly creepy, even when there was absolutely nothing supernatural going on—and they couldn’t have chosen a scarier setting. Haunted houses may be overly common in ghost films, but somehow the house in this movie still managed to creep me out! They kept the colors dull and lifeless, and incorporated the use of mirrors/reflections (a horror devise I’m partial to) to create disturbing, haunting images throughout the entirely of the film.

I jumped more times than I could count, and even screamed several times! All the lights were out, and I was alone, so the heightened atmosphere definitely helped send extra chills down my spine. Even now, long after the movie is over, there’s one scene in particular that I’m having trouble erasing from my mind.

However, this movie wasn’t perfect. One thing I really disliked about it was the plot—or to be more precise—the ending.

Honestly, I was okay with the story being fairly typical (the idea of Siamese twins is kind of creepy on its own, after all) and it’s hard to find a completely original horror plot that hasn’t already been done to death. Frankly, I had faith that the directors would do something interesting and surprising with it—so I watched on dutifully, anticipating the ending. And then the “twist” came.

SPOILER

Let’s be realistic: when dealing with this kind of plot, there’s a very obvious “twist” that anyone can guess just from reading the synopsis. So of course I was annoyed when the writers/directors decided to take the movie in that direction. They had such a wonderful set-up and then ruined it with a predictable twist—which IMO is sometimes worse than having no twist at all! I actually wish they had kept the “twist-ending” out altogether and focused their attention on generating more chills for the audience instead. Right towards the end, the scares became few and far between—the actors took the spot-light when it should have remained on the ghost.

END SPOILER

But sadly, no, it wasn’t as good as Shutter.

And yet, despite its flaws, everything that led up to the ending was fantastic: it’s still a cut above the rest, and a wonderful addition to the horror genre. I’ll definitely be looking forward to the directors next project!

Love Phobia

2008-02-10T08:00:00.001-07:00

((summary taken from asianmediawiki.com))

Cho Seung Woo (Marathon, The Classic) and Gang Hye Jung (Welcome To Dongmakgol, Old Boy) star in this curious romantic drama that spans decades. One sunny day, a young boy named Jo Kang meets a curious young girl, dressed in a bright yellow raincoat. Jo Kang instantly becomes friends with Ari, and falls instantly in love with the beautiful but rather strange young girl - only for her to one day disappear! The story jumps to ten years later, and Jo Kang is now in high school. One day, completely out of the blue, Ari contacts him and asks to meet again. Although they have not seen each other in a decade, they have a wonderful time together, and the love between them begins to grow once more. But then, Ari disappears once more, leaving Jo Kang devastated. Can Jo Kang track down his true love? Will he ever discover why Ari keeps disappearing? Will he be able to do anything about it? All will be revealed in the tender story of Love Phobia.

My Rating:

Although this is a typical “romantically sad, depressing” Korean drama, what sets this one apart from the pack, is that it’s good. It takes a familiar, overused plot, and makes it interesting. It boasts a strong story, likable characters, and a romance that is refreshing, unique, and fun. You’ll be weeping tears by the end, and yet, it leaves you with a nice, everything’s-going-to-be-okay, feeling—which is often lacking in these genres.

I really adore love stories where the two main characters have known each other as children. There’s something sweet about the innocence and naivety of youth, and watching as friendship develops into something more. The fact that there was no one else for them, just reinforces the “purity” of their affections, and makes their love story all the more intense and heartbreaking—I really liked the use of that strawberry song, and how him and his dad were singing it the moment he first saw her. It was almost prophetic.

There were so many cute moments in this movie—the shoelace scene was one of the cutest, funniest, saddest things I’ve ever seen and it was so short! And it’s those scenes that eventually make the ending so much more bearable and touching. The actors did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life—you really believe they’ve known each other all their lives. And the directing, music; everything was great. If I could change one thing, it would be the title, lol. There were so many different themes in this film—strawberries, purity, aliens, crop circles—it felt like they could have come up with something that would fit the story a little better.

But other than that… if you’re looking for a depressing love story, then this one won’t disappoint. It manages to add something special to the genre that usually leaves them mediocre and lacking. Still, it’s not a perfect film… but then again, what is?

The Cut / Cadaver

2008-01-21T04:09:00.001-07:00

((summary taken from asianmediawiki.com))

In a cold dark shaded anatomy classn room, 6 student prosectors are taking part in anatomy class Sun-hwa, Ki-bum, Joong-suk, Eun-joo, Ji-young and Kyung-min are smart medical college freshmen in the same anatomy class. Sun-hwa smart and confident; Ki-bum born to be a team leader full of confidence, Joong-suk son a hospital owner; Kyung-min too weak to be a doctor; Ji-young sexy and haughty but poor at study, Eun-joo studious nerd. They are competing with each other to be the best surgeon, but are strongly tied with fellowship as a team. In the first class, they try to suppress their fear and approach the cadaver that is waiting for them…. The first meeting with a deadly beautiful cadaver, and their nightmare begins. The cadaver is assigned to them, right after the first class. They suffer from ghosts and hallucinations. After several accidents and death of some team members, they start to realize something horrible is coming for them. They do their best to survive and find one clue: these accidents all have something to do with the female cadaver.

My Rating:

One thing I liked about this movie was the plot and setting: they took a naturally creepy yet common experience for medical students, and made that the center of the haunting. Morgues and autopsies by themselves aren’t very common in horror movies, despite their inherent creepiness. The most we’re usually shown in these settings are corpses rising from the autopsy table when the doctor’s back is turned—rarely does the entire setting revolve around it.

And what better victims to set the story around then a group of innocent, nervous med-students, who are learning how to perform autopsies for the first time? More than anything, it was their lack of experience and uneasiness, that really helped set the tone of the film. After all, autopsies are scary enough, without having to deal with a vengeful ghost thrown into the mix…

And again, I didn’t find the story all that confusing. I guessed who the “killer” was early on, and felt the explanation made perfect sense… well, as far as any plot twist can, considering we’re dealing with horror movies! But I really liked the twist at the end, and found everything very convincing… and the acting was great. The main character was actually the same girl from Capital Scandal, so it was exciting seeing her in another, more modern role. And I felt sad and angry when several of the characters died since I’d quickly grown to like them… so that’s another thing it had going for it. When you want the victims to live, the creepy, hands-over-eyes factor is doubled, and the adrenaline rush is stronger than when you’re cheering and want the ghost to kill them.

Of course, there’s nothing really new in this movie: you won’t watch it and feel like it blew your mind, and changed your very perception of horror movies in general. And most people will be able to guess the twist pretty early on… however, it still succeeds in being entertaining, and it does tell a fairly decent story. I’ve long since learned not to expect much from this genre… if I jump once or twice, and can actually understand the motivations of the characters then I’m happy. But still, there are better horror movies out there… though, on the other hand, there are worse ones too. If you’re bored, and just want a movie with a few chills, and a creepy setting, then this one’s for you.