The story is about forgiveness and understanding. The two characters meet under unique circumstances and initially don't seem to get along. Yet, there's something each of them holds that can help the other. The lead female is a psychology major and the male lead is a criminal. Of course, she can help him in the obvious way: make him reflect on his mistakes and change his ways to lead a new life. But that would make for a simple and plot, so there's something more... There's something he doesn't know he can help her with until she shares her story. The misunderstandings they have of each other clear up and he wants to do whatever he can to help her as well. The way each character develops is what keeps you watching.
The acting is great! The cast members each do an excellent job portraying their characters - esp Dong Won and Na Young. They will have you bawling by the end of it but you will love it - especially if you like tear-jerkers.
I watched this movie when I first started watching Korean dramas back in 2007 an I've re-watched it over a couple times and still don't mind re-watching it with people who haven't seen it. It's a movie that does NOT lose it's re-watch value.
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I was inspired to watch Our Happy Time because of Kang Dong Won, recently I became interested in his movies.
What can I say, the story, cast and music are all great. I'm listening it right now, maybe it's not good because it makes me wanna cry more and more...
When I saw the title I though it will be just a silly love story. And after watching this movie I felt so betrayed. I wasn't ready for this kind of emotions that this movie put me through. How to love and forgive how to cherish life and enjoy someones company, how to smile and cry - this movie is all about that and much more. I highly recommend re-watching this movie over and over again.
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One last thing, telling a prisoner that is about to face death that they have a visitor, not sure what to think about that. Maybe, it's the system's way to let them know what it feels like to suffer an unexpected death. What do you think?
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base in me :) i can say i like it.. i love it.. this one is heartbreaking and the ending hmmmm i admit that i do cry a lot! :( because i thought the movie is another chickflicks that i frequency watch in the end that there boyfriend or girlfriend need to die because of some illness, well because i'am wrong thats why i like it..
i don't expect this movie is really that great at first...i just saw this in youtube by recommendation' well thanks for her so far all the movie she said is really worth watching! i love the way they made the story! i salute the novel who write this story..yeah :D i really love it!
warning: for those who do not want to cry, the movie is sad ending! and story! BUT it is really BEAUTIFUL MOVIE! and if your are like me that love to watch kmovies you must really need to try this one...
so guy pls try it and hopefully you guy also like it as i do >o
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Happy Time indeed
It’s not in my nature to write as much as a review about a movie because they feel like a passing wind. This movie made itself an exception.I though it was only a bit sad, then… I was suddenly sobbing, and then… fell in love with the smile, then it continued being a happy time (no pun intended), but also consisted of constant crying. It was meaningful and beautiful.
It was raining on my cheeks, I swam rivers in my tears. It became more and more innocent and pitiful.
I like that they didn’t build a big false happiness, but kept it realistic, so I was able to (not necessarily accept it, but) move forward, but I still got hurt just as much.
I was drowning in those endless buckets of tears that were coming out of everywhere.
By the time the Epilogue came, my head was pulsing with the stifled sobbing.
I wanted to crawl down, bellow the window, instead of her, so that I cant see anything.
Because I would never want to see that regretful innocent fragile body in that shape.
I am glad this was a movie and not longer, or else I could end up in an infinity deep pit, because even though I have never been in a similar situation, I was able to empathize so badly.
My eyes are probably so puffy right now.
I won’t describe more because it hurts.
Yet, I feel like I wanna go through it again and read the book.
Their acting makes me wanna line up all of their works and watch them, but I’m skeptical about finding something as good as this.
The music was so subtle, in the right place.
Now weeks have passed and the images are still vivid in my head from watching it once.
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Oh S***,i hate crying! episode 11 until the end...while im writing this...my eyes were already swollen and i just cant still stop, i still felt in my heart even this is a fiction,i was someone else story somewhere out there.... dong won still a great actor...few works ive watch i think hes one of a johnny depp alike
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PROS:
+ The story is told in an interesting method where you discover more about the characters throughout with a non-linear method
+ These are some nicely developed characters with a good amount of depth
+ I never expected the emotional pull the story would leave on me; it is so sad, yet so meaningful
+ The character portrayals by the cast were outstanding
CONS:
- It's a shame this was left in the "standard definition" era (at least the fuzzy picture doesn't take away from the story)
- Some of the content/subject matter is extremely upsetting and serious; thankfully, it was handled in a tasteful way
I love movies like this. Nobody ever talks about some of these gems that seem forgotten. This story should be experienced, if you're able to handle and process emotionally challenging and thematically heavy content.
In a few years, I will want to see this again. I'm sure at that time, I'll be able to learn something new again upon a second watch.
8.5/10
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This review may contain spoilers
Happy times but on thursdays
"Why would they both want to end their lives?" A question I asked during the first few scenes. Yoo-jong (the female lead) has already attempted suicide three times, while Yoon-soo (the male lead) has no desire to live anymore after he has been convicted with a death penalty sentence. Both have common qualities: cold, lonely, and disinterested with life. Then, you would be curious on what would happen if both of them after being introduced with each other. Afterall, both just wanted to end their lives.I liked how the pacing of this movie was in terms of answering that question in a way that it presented a linear, yet still coherent reason of their urge to end their respective lives. It took a slow approach, yet not boring in developing both characters separately, and later on, together. The insertion of flashback scenes were not only sad, but also I felt pity to Yoo-jong with her trauma, and to Yoon-soo with his crimes and circumstances. Yet, what I found unique here is that although it was justifiable for Yoon-soo to be guilty with his crimes, his innonence and circumstances would make you feel that he could've done more to lessen his sentence, yet here we are.
Also, I liked that their romance was formed not typically. It was really more on building romance from their profound pain and mutual understanding with one another, which really took off on the scene when Yoo-jong now started to confide to Yoon-soo regarding the reason why she attempted suicide several times. After few scenes, I felt sympathy towards both of them, as they were having their happy time, but limited. With Yoon-soo now having to look forward every thursday, there was now a newfound sense of life, yet wishing it not to end. Also, with Yoo-jong now able to ease her burdens to Yoon-soo, she was now able to move away from that trauma and towards forgiveness and appreciation to life itself.
Forgiveness is an integral plot point in this movie. However, my gripes regarding this were the following:
1. The lady's sudden shift of forgiveness to what Yoon-soo did. I forgot her relationship to the victims of Yoon-soo's crimes, yet I still found it unexpected that she forgave him just when he was about to die. There could've been more context inserted regarding this.
2. Yoo-jong's forgiveness to her mom when she was hospitalized. The topic in itself is sensitive and I won't be dwelling anymore on that, but as a rape victim, I find it hard to totally forgive someone who did not do anything after knowing she was raped, nonetheless, to a mother who was expected to protect her yet chose to shrug it off. Personally, I would have wanted Yoo-jong to say to her mom that she would not hate her anymore, but will still take time to totally forgive her.
The ending was so emotional, yet I honestly did not found it to be tearjerking, since it was already expected. Maybe, I was more invested on their journey as to finding a new meaning on their lives together, rather than the end itself. Still, the last scene made me feel light, assured that they were able to create happy times, however just on thursdays.
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Justifiable? (Don't forget the tissues)
I can fully confirm how heartbreaking it was to watch this.The story and the characters were amazingly built up, I felt so much for both the mc's and I ended the movie feeling even more for them. It's easy to say that I won't be forgetting about this movie, thinking about the unfairness of it all. Life is unfair, hurtful and devastating, but the only thing left at the end is love. I will always believe that. And if you want more confirmation on that fact, this story will always be there to remind you.
Just don't forget to stock up on tissues.
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Having read the book and the manga, I knew what I was getting into. Though the movie present things in a faster pace and the two didn't really have time to develop a relationship, a factor that made me doubt for a moment that the ending will be that teary, the final scenes were so powerfull that made up for the lack of time and development. Actually, love story set aside, that scene was so deeply humane that can't help but be sad, tragic and dark at the same time.
So, that said, the performances were great and that aided the film a lot.
So, seven out of ten.
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