I just finished Cheese in the Trap the series a day ago, and I wrote a very positive review (please check it out lol) and now I'm back with the movie version. You could say I'm hooked with this story. Cheese in the Trap the Movie is more dark, disturbing, and violent than it's predecessor. It focuses on the psychological side of the story and the crimes against women by men, such as stalking and assault. Like I warned with my review of the series, if you are looking for a fluffy cotton candy romance, Cheese in the trap is probably not for you. There is however far more cute romantic scenes in the series than in the movie. In fact, there is hardly any romantic scenes in the film. I recall only one kiss scene between the two leads and it was filmed from a distance.

Park Hae Jin reprises his role as the deceptively charming sociopath, Yoo Jung. This time around he plays Jung creepier with more edge. He gives a bone chilling performance and there were times I was actually scared. Was I watching a horror? There were two scenes that were my favorite in the whole movie. The first scene is when Yoo Jung is walking Seol back to her dorm. He smiles as she turns and walks into her building. When she is out of view, Jung's whole face changes and his mask comes off to reveal the eerie apathetic person he really is. It's all in the eyes with this scene. Park's eyes go from warm and loving to soulless like a shark, equal parts calculating, and cold. It's amazing acting. The other part of the film that was my favorite was when Jung was at a shooting range and another scene is shown simultaneously of one of his cat and mouse revenge games being played out as he had planned. His victim doesn't know what hit them and when Jung gets his target back at the shooting range it shows that every gunshot he made was a bulleye to the chest. This was an artful clever way to show Jung's brutality and that he never loses. He shoots to kill and never waivers. This scene was brilliantly accompanied by classical music. So it is safe to say Park Hae Jin nailed this character yet again. This is what you call perfect casting. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for any of the other characters in this film including the actress that played the female lead Hong Seol. She gives a very weak performance and I partially blame the script. It doesn't even seem like the same Seol from the series. Weak, pathetic, and not all there. It was like the lights were on but no one was home. Absolutely awful. I also really hated how they styled the female lead's hair. Seol is called "dog fur" by In Ho (2nd ml) because she's supposed to have wild frizzy curly red hair. This movie version Seol basically has straight hair with a slight wave at the ends so In Ho's endearing nickname doesn't even make sense here. Anyway, there are way too many issues I have with this movie to list them all, but I'll name a few...too many characters and not enough time to flesh them out, a non cohesive storyline, poor casting, rushed underdeveloped romantic relationship with the two leads etc.

And yet I rate this a 7.5. With all its faults, I still think Cheese in the Trap (movie) is worth watching. It's missing a lot and might be hard to follow if one hasn't watched the series first though. It has glimpses of genius and is a notable addition to the original webtoon story.