Sisyphus’ Sigma: A Look into Mental Illness
Mapado
Country: South Korea Year: 2005 Genre: Comedy
Lee Jung Jin is a thug who’s caring and upright. While Lee Moon Shik is a detective who accepts bribes, covers for crimes and threatens people. Those two with switched roles and enmity get stuck together when the lotto money their friend wins gets snatched away. They end up on a remote island called Mapa. There they find five elderly women living alone. What will happen to the two on the island?
The film is fun and touching at the same time. It presents a hopeful approach to humanity. While life is full of pain and suffering and money controls everything, people still sympathise and feel for each other. Nothing can stop people when they want to protect those they care for. Money vanishes and the small memories built on compassion remain.
Mapado is light and enjoyable. Young Lee Jung Jin is so beautiful. Well, I’m biased. There are cute twists and surprises. The music gives the feel.
Mr. Hong
Country: South Korea Yea: 2004 Genre: Comedy, Romance
If you’re looking for a cute film with a lovely story, deep questions and tons of laughter, then this is the film for you.
The story of two people whose lives change for the better once they meet. It’s about a blessing in disguise, the unexpected breaking point, delving into worlds we don’t belong to and we don’t understand and changing as we do, the small details that untie the long-time tight knots inside of us and new chances and a new life.
Masquerade
Country: South Korea Year: 2012 Genre: Historical
A side of Gwanghae we, Gwanghae lovers, hate to admit existed and some breathtaking twists in his more-than-exciting life as a king.
Though none is like Cha Seung Won at being Gwanghae, the other actors who do play Gwanghae usually do a great job. Well, Lee Byung Hun is certainly one of them.
Between the spirit that Gwanghae started his kinghood with and his later exhausted self that was suffocated by the politicians comes our film. Tossing those existential questions back then and not realising they haven’t been answered yet, Gwanghae attempted to do many things to protect his people and move ahead with his nation. No matter what kind of ‘’man’’ Gwanghae was or how we choose to believe he acted, we know for sure that he was a pioneer in political, economical and social reform. We know that he cared about his people more than many other kings did.
The film is funny and beautiful with many moments that bring tears to your eyes or leave you gaping in awe. Brilliant of Lee Byung Hun and the other cast. A commendable film.
Hope you enjoy the films. Can't wait to hear your feedback. Have a great weekend!
