Architecture 101 (2012)

Movie with the architecture in the background, directed by the architect. After a fairly successful directorial debut with Possessed (2009), once an architect, and now director, Lee Yong-Ju came back with a new movie. In contrast to his debut, which was something bordering on horror/thriller, his second movie is a romance with a suitable amount of melodrama. Architecture 101, a title that could not be probably better matched. In the end we have an romance whose title does not contain any references to love, and at the same time is strongly associated with the plot of the movie. Another advantage of the movie is it's cast, which surprised with the good acting. In the main female role we have Han Ga-In (known for her series The Moon Embracing the Sun (2012)), and a young version of the character is played by Bae Suzy. Both ladies are not known for being good actresses and usually present just decent acting, hence the big surprise was how well they coped. In the role of the male is Uhm Tae-Woong (rose to fame thanks to role in Cyrano Agency (2010)), while the young version of his character is played by Lee Je-Hoon (very good role in My Paparotti (2013)). Good cast and interesting title, attracted to theaters just over 4 million viewers and brought a profit of more than $ 30 billion won (~$29 million).

The story is fairly standard and represents an unfulfilled youthful first love. The whole story develops around a pair of students. On the one hand we have a beautiful and somewhat mysterious music student Seo-Yeon (Bae Suzy/Han Ga-In), and on the other a shy architecture student, Seung-Min (Lee Je-Hoon/Uhm Tae-Woong). Their affair begins with the first class of "Introduction to Architecture" and with last, ends. After 15 years, Seo-Yeon finds Seung-Min and employs him to rebuild her home on the Jeju island.

Both stories are intertwined in a pleasant and peaceful way. Lee serves up standard problems, in the form of first love of two students, and the bittersweet romance of the same pair in their prime of life. It seems that we get another typical romance, with all its advantages and disadvantages, but in the case of Architecture 101 is only a first impression. What makes this particular movie stands out from the others? Architecture. All known schemes are presented through the prism of ubiquitous architecture. Love of Seo-Yeon and Seung-Min follows the footsteps of "Introduction to Architecture" and ends after 15 years with construction of home. Lee superbly presented things we already know, in a new way, so that even a cliche story, ends up being "fresh" and consistent.

As for the actors, most of the time we see a pair of Bae Suzy/Lee Je-Hoon, partly a result of the fact that Lee Je-Hoon is de facto protagonist of the entire production. Although not quite similar to each other, we are able to believe that the naive and shy Lee Je-Hoon grew into a cynical and nonchalant Uhm Tae-Woong, and Bae Suzy playing the perfect Korean girl grown to be forthright but at the same time sensitive and delicate Han Ga-In.

All this makes it an excellent story that is closer to the viewer than the sleek affair of Romeo and Juliet. When Seo-Yeon and Seung-Min meet after years, he no longer sees her through rose-colored glasses, because he lost them long time ago. All the time he blames her for how their first love has ended, even though through the movie, we learn that he, because of his insecurity and low self esteem, is equally responsible. Our memories can deceive us, but the pain of unrequited first love will never disappear, the song, a face, book, almost everything can bring it back. The mind will deny it, but the heart never forgets.

Architecture 101 is a position that may bore many and surprise in not a nice way. I recommend people to watch it again, but calmly, to be able to empathize with the characters and think about the whole story. This movie has something which many similar production are lacking, despite the lack of rousing story or breathtaking effects, it really is not a boring production. This is a movie which, thanks to its simplicity, becomes intimate to viewer and seems very real, you only have to look a bit deeper.

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I wasn't really expecting anything going into Architecture 101 just because i didnt think a movie about building a house would seem that interesting. However, there was more to it...

First, the plot was a calm one with the building of a house and reconnection of the main characters being the focal point of the present story line. The past storyline gives us important info on how the main characters met(as friends) and what were the events that led to their separation (still friends at that point). I really did like the story until the ending. The ending just didn't work for me but i guess you could say it was a realistic one.

Second, I thought this was well casted. UTW & HGI played thier older versions well and they had really good chemistry. As for the younger versions of thier characters Suzy & Lee Je Hoon were adorable and matched well. I know Jo Jung Sook had a very small role but once again he manages to make his character stand out.

Overall the actors are what makes the movie memorable but the ending kind of ruins my overall enjoyment for it.

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