Reviews

i’ve rewatched this multiple times with friends

i never thought i would cry so much from a zombie movie but every time i watch this i’m crying a river throughout. i’ve even had some of my non korean/non kdrama loving friends watch this and they loved it as well! really good, action packed, ‘horror’ movie. i wouldn’t really consider this a horror movie (i was able to watch it and i absolutely hate horror with a burning passion) it mostly just has jump scares but it was still a really great movie. youll fall in love with many of the characters! i don’t really remember much in terms of music so that’s why i rated the music less, but i don’t remember it being bad either. overall, great to watch with friends you’ll be yelling at the tv and crying your eyes out but you’ll like it>:|

Leia Mais

a must watch for 교포s !

i watched this with my 할아버지 and wow i loved it! it really gives you insight into why koreans are so proud of our culture and language! i think the movie was really well done and although it might not be 1000% historically accurate, it really gave me a huge sense of pride watching it, knowing that my ancestors fought so hard to keep our culture alive:) i think anyone who is of korean ethnicity or is interested in the korean culture in general would enjoy this movie and benefit from watching it! the acting was great and the story flowed well! love how they showed so many different dialects! will definitely force my little sisters to watch this hehe.

Leia Mais

beautiful cinematography, one of the best slice of life movies i’ve watched

i actually watched this while i was on the plane back from korea and wow i LOVED it! it’s definitely not the movie to watch if you want something fast paced, drama/action filled, or anything like that, but that’s what i loved about it. there honestly isn’t too much of a story itself, but i think that that actually made this movie even better! it really allowed you to appreciate the cinematography and to just feel at peace, it really is a beautiful film. i love kim taeri and i felt that her subtle acting was very comforting and realistic in this! the music was calming as well and complimented the overall aesthetic of the movie. i loved the incorporation of traditional korean recipes, it made me feel like going home and cooking with my 엄마 as soon as i landed. for anyone tired of the city life or just the chaos of life in general, this is really a great watch to calm your soul! definitely a new favorite comfort movie to rewatch!

Leia Mais

End of innocence

What an amazing short movie! What an incredibly talented couple of actors!

It has been a long time since a movie, short or otherwise, provoked such strong feelings in me. The story is nothing new: two best friends, apparently joined in the hip since forever see their feelings for each other change. Will those feelings bring irreversible changes into their relationship, for better or for worse?

The story is told with no dialogue to speak of. English or any subs for that matter are unnecessary!

Everything is told by looks, gestures, emotions...The actors are extraordinary. The showed us how the feelings change, their reactions, the gap between them closing and then widening, emotions overflowing, things done that cannot be taken back, the courage needed to stand up for your feelings....

If you are looking for butterflies: they are here!

Leia Mais

realistic to a fault

though it is dated, with some rather questionable language, this movie was easy to fall into. all of the boys did a great job and fell into their roles pretty seamlessly. The lack of a significant budget was visible (and audible) but they made it work. And though it likely was not part of the plan, this made it feel like you’re there hanging out with them too.

Overall it was enjoyable, though at the end I wasn’t really sure what was going on. Still, I think this is a good watch if you’re just looking for something to fill a boring night. Found myself laughing at some of their antics, reminded me of my high school days as well with some of the crazy ideas we get as teenagers lol

Leia Mais

An outstanding film that is just as good as -- if very different from -- Dream of Eternity

I watched Dream of Eternity (the other Netflix Yin Yang Master film) and this one back to back in the same week. I know nothing about the source material but was attracted by excellent trailers and intriguing summaries. Coming from someone who has barely a passing awareness of the Onmyoji universe and no particular preference in terms of actors, I can tell you that the two were on equal footing as far as quality and watchability.

It does confuse me just a little that this one isn't as well-loved as Dream of Eternity, but for anyone wondering what the major differences are between the two -- and whether or not those differences amount to one or the other being better -- let me help a little.

Dream of Eternity (the other Yin Yang Master film with Deng Lun), is a very quintessentially Chinese story. The feel of the magic, the harsh golden chill of the capital, the Chinese humor and the almost obtuse but elegant storytelling that includes metaphysical and even existential themes, are all more familiar to someone who is accustomed to heavy Chinese fantasy. As such, the story can't help but feel a little richer. Too, the development of the relationship between Qingming and Boya is a major part of the what moves the plot forward.

This one, the Yin Yang Master, had a similar feel to an American blockbuster as far as pacing and storytelling. The story feels more approachable to someone who is unaccustomed to (or not particularly a fan of) those very particular Chinese types of fantasy. Nevertheless, it still has a rich, unique fantasy feel, made even more immersive by a broader bit of world-building. (Dream of Eternity has an almost claustrophobic sense of isolation as the heroes worked in close quarters and in a limited amount of time to solve the problem). It feels more like an adventure and less like an urgent detective mystery.

The story for this one focused more on Qingming's relationships with human beings in general and the people who used to be his friends in particular. Boya is a major character, but his interaction with Qingming is limited, but important. Boya, in a sense, develops independently. And this development affects his opinion of Qingming and his decision to help him or not.

In Dream of Eternity, the demons (not a very accurate translation, I'm afraid, but probably no better English word exists) feel more like human weapons, like the allies you can choose in complex rpgs. They are well-developed, fully-fleshed and wonderful.

In Yin Yang Master the demons exist in many varieties. The more human but powerful, the truly grotesque monsters, and the very cute little creatures, of whom Qingming has adopted several. This variety lends a kind of comic book feel to the story that was lovely. And the cute little creatures really were a very wonderful bonus -- their urgent pantomiming to Qingming when they were trying to deliver information was so delightful.

In both films you have outstanding special effects, wildly impressive fight scenes with a cool Chinese sorcerer's flair, and very good acting from all involved. Dream of Eternity also had that heady, moody Chinese storytelling feel to it. While Yin Yang Master accomplished broad worldbuilding and an epic sense of adventure.

Dream of Eternity sometimes felt too melodramatic (a trait I actually liked, so not an issue for me), while there was a candy sweetness to the overall feel of Yin Yang Master. But Chen Kun, with his characteristic dangerous severity, cut the sugar enough to balance the whole thing.

The takeaway here is that they were equally good films. But they were quite different. It's better to go into both without expecting anything in particular and then let the film be what it is.

As far as this one in particular: the story was very good -- if quite straightforward -- the monsters were unique, the sweet little creatures were too cute for words, and the interplay and development between the wide assortment of characters was very satisfying, if not as deep as it could have been. But the film had no apparent aim for depth, which made it work so well. The over-the-top visuals and almost absurd cute creature antics would have made a profoundly deep and heavy story feel a little odd. As it was, the balance was just right.

All in all, an excellent film. A less challenging watch than Dream of Eternity, but in a good way. I highly recommend them both. But I feel like this one needs more champions.

Leia Mais

great documentary. it has a big artistic and documentary value.
I couldn't understand everything because i saw it in korean but i understood enough to follow the emotional and dramatic narrative of this unique natural territory - the Saemangeum tidal flat that was almost destroyed. The effort put into making this documentary is extraordinary. i enjoyed seeing birds and other small water animals living here and also the humans trying their best to protect the nature and exploring it.
this documentary is a testimony to the beauty of life and truly a love song to the subject it presents.

Leia Mais

Us walking along in those indifferent (?) shoes of Han Gong-ju is the great power of this KMovie

Among independent South Korean film productions, “Han Gong-ju” is considered one of the most successful to date. In fact, the number of viewers exploded within the first week - through word of mouth alone. In addition to this vote with feet, there were consistently positive (national and international) film reviews and awards.

"Han Gong-ju" offers relentlessly haunting independent KMovie quality, frugal, not easy to digest, yet calmly, subtly and sensitively told, too. Behind the seemingly indifferent attitude of the protagonist, highly concentrated emotional force blazes subliminally, which is released less in the protagonist herself than within the audience. By the way, the story is based on a true story. (More background below - but that's quite a spoiler... so if you want to watch the film, you might want to read it afterwards!)

The KMovie tells the story of the fictional Hang Gong-ju in a rather reserved manner. We initially follow the girl without knowing what it is about or what she actually has experienced. Over time we learn to understand, or better: vaguely guess what she was and is going through. Over 112 minutes we see and experience the world vaguely through her eyes. This is a great power of this KMovie. The girl´s everyday world is fundamentally threatening, unwelcoming and cold, almost merciless. Han Gong-ju herself is tough and clear, demure and mostly indifferent. (Hang Gong-ju may by now have learned to face her world with indifference, but we as audience? We may feel differently here and there…) Nevertheless, she also has learned to create islands in her life that offer at least some minimalist beauty, joy and perspective.

What happened and is happening to Hang-Gong-ju admits of no excuse. But unfortunately it happens everywhere. Not just in South Korea. Unfortunately, again and again, more and more often. *
The role of adults is also inexcusable. It is we so-called 'adults' who lay, or should lay, the foundation for a sense of justice in the upbringing of our children. However, in this story (and its true background) it failed spectacularly. On several fronts. The results can be considered rather grim.
As solid and reliable role models that 'we' adults are/should be: how do we actually relate to right and wrong? Parents who would rather protect their beloved children from the consequence of their (any) actions, than confront them with it – yes, that's understandable. But will the 'children' learn from their mistakes in the future (without any true feeling of guilt about having done something wrong)? So that they might not replay their misbehaviour in the future? Rather not. However, if everyone prefers to proclaim an exception rule for themselves (and their loved ones), that cannot work out well. So it always ends in fighting and stabbing... by any means.

The irony: For cinema and television this is actually quite wonderful, because thus there are always new, stirring stories to tell. In the case of "Han Gong-ju", fortunately the entertainment gain does not come from dramatically exaggerated voyeurism, but rather from the fact that we walk a part of the truly sobering track in those indifferent (?) shoes of Han Gong-ju. By doing so, clues putting the (difficult to digest) puzzle together accumulate...

Lee Su-jin's KMovie is consistently serious, unpretentious and at the same time convincingly authentic in the presentation of the protagonist. Chun Woo-hee in her difficult role as Han Gong-ju is also outstanding and masterly in this context!

















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SIDE NOTE: --- Events at Miryang Middle School in 2004 ---

Over a period of just under a year, at least 44 (but possibly more than 120) high school students repeatedly raped three 13 to 17 year old girls and filmed them in order to blackmail the victims. The gang rapes obviously happened as a purely entertaining pastime for the boys.

The first 14-year-old victim was blackmailed with the film recording to bring her younger sister and her older cousin to the subsequent 'meetings', who then also became victims of renewed gang rape. In addition, the victims were forced to pay so that the footage would not be published. There may have been even more victims.

As unforgivable as these actions are, dealing with them was even more unforgivable. After the girls' aunt reported the case, of 44 clearly identified repeat offenders, only three were initially actually arrested. Due to massive public pressure, 9 more were taken into custody and a further 29 were officially arrested but not taken into custody.

There were no serious consequences for the perpetrators. On the contrary, the victims became victims again! On the one hand, they suffered psychological damage during the interrogation due to insensitive, confrontational confrontations and verbally abusive male officers (even though the victims had expressly asked for female officers). On the other hand, parents tried to force the actual role of perpetrator on the victims due to provocative behavior.

Finally, the defenders pointed out that some of the boys are already about to enlist in respectable universities and would soon contribute to the shining future of the city. In general, the parents of the perpetrators managed to build up pressure in various directions and also helped with money to box their boys out of the annoying situation. Among the victims' parents, on the other hand, one father unforgivably exploited his daughter's predicament for his own benefit. Ultimately, only 5 boys were tried in juvenile court. Without serious consequences. They are now probably fathers themselves and are firmly established in their careers.


In the meantime, this and that may have changed legally (and also when it comes to investigating), in South Korea and Germany and in other countries, too. But still, in current cases of juvenile sexual offenses, to date a strong tendency among parents here and there is increasing to wanting to box out their loved ones by all means possible, regardless of the losses. Far too rarely is attention paid to reflecting to their sons (and/or daughters) when they in fact tremendously misbehaved, that, yes, they are still loved and ok, BUT THEIR ACTING IS NOT OK at all. As a matter of course they will have to face the consequences – as serious misconduct that the social community we live in does not tolerate.
… However, our problem is: 'we' obviously DO tolerate it... Over and over again.

Sadly, in this respect, the KMovie “Han Gong-ju” is as topical as it was in 2013.

Leia Mais

Tackling the horrors of war and the absurdity of the Korean War in particular with grotesque humor

"The Long Way Home" – original: "Western Front" - is a KMovie about the Korean War. But a funny one... if a movie about war might be called funny at all... In fact, it succeeded brilliantly in tackling the horrors of war in general and the absurdity of the Korean War in particular with grotesque humor.

As a last resort, even a North Korean student is drafted to drive a tank into battle. A South Korean farmer, in turn, has to leave his heavily pregnant wife behind in order to take part in an all-important, top-secret mission and deliver strategically important secret information to the Allies. Neither are heroes. Neither of them would actually care about the war. But both have dutifully learned the ideological phrases of their 'side' and both, quite by chance, are the only ones in their respective units to survive in an airstrike three days before the truce is signed. The North Korean incidentally stumbles upon the top secret paper and hides it. The South Korean incidentally overwhelms the North Korean... obviously, neither of them being born to be soldiers.

"The Long Way Home" is a kind of road movie back and forth through the empty landscape of the western front line. The student from the north wants to return home with his tank. The farmer from the south, in turn, wants to hand over the secret paper so that he can finally return to his wife and newborn baby. Eventually, sometimes one pulls in this direction and then the other one in that. Only a cow is involved, too. And a bizarre village community in no man's land. Along the way, the two squabblers also stumble upon Chinese troops reinforcing the north, and there is also another airstrike from the south. Then, again and again the cow in the vastness of the natural landscape, in which military equipment and soldiers don´t seem to fit in at all. The war is increasingly losing its meaning and significance. The tank has long been junk anyway, but ironically it becomes their shared cozy home. Enmity becomes friendship. War is crap. This one anyway! Regarding its fatal futility and arbitrariness, the KMovie in conclusion actually goes one better, too.

In "The Long Way Home" infernal war scenarios and powerful chamber drama collide with slapstick and situational comedy. A daring mixture, but quite successful not least thanks to strong mimes - with young talent Yeo Jin-goo and veteran Sol Kyun-gu in a fantastic playing mood.

A different kind of anti-(Korea) war movie.
Not a milestone in cinematics, but quite entertaining in its bizarreness.

Leia Mais

Seamless movie within movie

A film that focuses on behind the scenes in a classic movie production studio, where the movie director was inspired to shoot a retake for an alternative ending despite multiple challenges and restrictions ahead of it, while a new genre of cult classic was born in the making. The flow of the storyline is actually extremely complicated to execute, yet the script was able to handle the movie within movie seamlessly. A great proof of concept that works well though it may not be a crowd pleaser, luckily it's still pretty entertaining amid the chaos. The final act of that one take sequence is definitely the reason why this movie was selected for Cannes screening of this year, it's simply brilliant.

Leia Mais

mature mature mature… not for the simple minded

this movie is definitely mature and nsfw or anywhere near others lol. i actually liked it tho. it made me laugh, but it also made me hide under my blanket out of slight worry. it seemed to me that the main leads problems arose from what happened to his mom when he was a child. overtime as he worked for shizuka he learned how to fix his issues and learned how to make himself and women happy.

the only thing i found strange was sakura… it felt odd knowing that shizuka was her mom and the fact that… well you’ll see. overall, the film was really good. it was cinematically made very well. the characters all had a desire to find a solution to their sex life which would over help their lives. and the cast portrayed them very well.

Leia Mais

Hell hath no fury....

Nov 2023

TW: Sexual assault, suicide references

Very fast paced, violent, bloody, with a couple of real "OH!!!" moments.

The background story is provided whilst playing out in the present. The character of the Ballerina in question, Min-hee, is sweet, quirky and never came across as weak, but an incident in her relatively young life proved too much.

I got a strong feeling that the seemingly lonely girl she befriended, Ok-ju, actually loved her. There was just something in the way she looked at her at times.

That friend, an ex bodyguard with no ties and seemingly nothing to lose, takes up a challenge left by her friend and, basically, WW3 breaks out not long after!

At its heart this is purely an action thriller, not deep or realistic. However, the seedier side of life that Min-hee gets tangled up in, over the last few years in S.Korea (and elsewhere), has proven to be all too real, in one form or another. That makes for a very uncomfortable and quite sickening watch at times.

In many ways it's also quite a satisfying watch, especially when the main characters are women who take no 5hit, are tough, capable and exceptionally determined.

My brain didn't even have time to register when things got OTT, because it was too busy being stunned!

Jeon Jong Seo, as the Best Friend, Jang Ok Ju, was superb. God she must be fit, as it was a very physical role. She rarely smiled, wasn't noisy or overly emotional, yet neither was she miserable, depressing or emotionless. Her immediate reaction to loss was very real to me.

Kim Ji Hoon, as Choi Pro, is an actor I've come to love. He is so much more than his looks and unlike many actors, isn't typecast, so when he appears, one doesn't know if he's friend or enemy. He has no qualms taking on really unpalatable characters, or sweeter, fluffy roles.

Whilst adding a little dark humour to proceedings, which I like, at the same time I found the weapons dealers suggested to Ok-ju by her ex-boss, to be a bit daft in terms of what they were offering; was her ex-boss trying to get her to fail?! It didn't sit right, even though it was amusing. Great supporting role for Kim Young-ok, however. I love this senior actress.

There were references to corrupt police and powerful people in this, but they were not seen or, more annoyingly, held accountable, as is too often the case in K-dramas and film. That, as usual, irritated me.

Overall, it felt like a very quick watch and, I felt, quite different in its story and vibe; but it certainly won't be for everyone.

Leia Mais

Great Sci-Fi Idea But No Character Growth.

GENERAL SPOILERS below.
What the hell was the point of what they went through? The relationship arc could have been the exact same even if there had been no cyber lover. You could just jump from 7min into the movie to the last scene because the characters are pretty much emotionally and psychologically at the same point regardless of the stuff in-between. "Happy ending" my foot. *They didn't re-learn to love each other, didn't even put any effort into doing so*, but somehow they're back together at the end anyway. Mutually grieving the loss of their happy early days does not equal a good reason to stay together.

I wasn't able to root for any of the characters because they were unlikable without enough reasons/examples to make it understandable why they were that way. I did end up feeling the most pity for Wen, but that didn't translate into liking, and I really couldn't understand the last couple of choices he made for his own sake at the end.

The ideas in the movie are definitely new and intriguing. That's what kept me watching all the way through. Unfortunately, the exploration of themes felt shallow to me. The main characters started, stayed, and ended sadly reminiscing about the beginning of their relationship. They were stuck regretting that their relationship was no longer like that *without actually doing anything or taking any steps to make it better going forward*. Even at the end! Lots of regret but very little shown of their growth (individually or as a couple). That's what frustrated me the most about this story.

The sci-fi stuff does require a lot of suspension of disbelief but they do an okay job world-building their own rules with what's possible.

The timeline is so unrealistic. It took 2 days to "love" a cyber "person" with no real personality of their own; he was like a 1-dimensional puppy. The story jumps around abruptly and simultaneously doesn't give enough build-up to either the past human relationship or the current cyber one.

There are some hot intimate moments and there is kissing and making out. Unfortunately, the intimacy lacked emotional depth, so it felt flat and unsatisfying to me.

The audio track was really low quality. Most of the time it sounds like listening through a phone call or under water, especially whenever Wen played music. It's bearable, but definitely noticeable. It's so bad I'm wondering if it was an issue with where I streamed it from or if it is indeed the original sound? (Found on GagaOOlala Nov 2023).

Other than the idea of the plot and the decent acting, this felt like a waste of time.

Leia Mais