Best gay-themed feature out of Asia in a long time.
Exceptional.This will def end up in my top ten, as soon as I watch it a time or two more to pick up on all the things I'm sure I missed.
That said, while I'm always thankful to anyone who takes the time and trouble to sub a film, the subs I saw for this are hella confusing at times, plus there are times the subs disappear altogether, which is, of course, frustrating.
It was refreshing to see a gay friend group presented as something other than a collection of annoying, predictable gay stereotypes. I'm looking at you, "Love In the Big City."
Second lead Kim Hyun Mok is a gifted talent to watch. His characterization is rich and full. He drove the film nearly as much as did the lead, who is not listed above, but who I'm going to try to hunt down and add to this page. He too is excellent, plus being extremely attractive in a unique way and having a rocking bod.
Great acting, direction, production values, cinematography; now if I can get clear on some plot elements... :D
I did not get the ending I was aching for, but that's OK. A lifetime of Hollywood flicks tied up with a perfect bow at the end are the source of that ache, but seven years of Asian films, especially Korean, have taught me that not getting what I want can deepen the viewing experience. Even as I pined for the ending I wanted, I somehow masochistically liked that I didn't get it. :P
Highly recommended
9.5/10
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a tender story beautifully told
I was feeling all the feels with this one. At multiple points I was surprised by the turns the story took and towards the end I wasn't sure if the ending would hit, but oh it did.While bittersweet most of the time every scene carried so much hope that I was smiling and crying at the same time.
The film treats its characters with so much love and devotion that you couldn't help but feel for everyone. Due to the beautiful and fitting cinematography I also constantly felt incredibly immersed in the scenes as if I was part of the friend group.
I left half a star off my rating because toward the end there was so much to tell that the movie picked up quite some speed and I would have liked to linger a bit longer and explore the ending more as well. I would have gladly watched this as a drama.
Overall an asolutely stunning movie I highly recommend!
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This review may contain spoilers
Superb Movie.
Having randomly stumbled upon this movie, i really enjoyed watching it and have high regards towards it.The main lead's character showed tremendous growth from a stuttering closeted gay to a courageous person who got on stage and sang wholeheartedly.Initially i was saddened when they could not be a couple but I totally understand Yeong Jeon's character when he told him he was attached to him because he showed him how exciting life could be and got him out of his shy shell,so he really felt that he was special to him.Cheol Jun currently can't see past the new high he is currently going through at the moment.For starters he is not into twinks as he had mentioned he is into Lee Kangin(a footballer)... Secondly he never gave Jeon a second look during the get together date after them having a love shot drink together.From the get go Jeon liked Jun and he was self aware that if he wasn't Jun's initial pick,their relationship might not withstand whatever the future holds.After watching the movie i went on to read other people's review on it and came across this statement 'You never forget the person who broadens your horizon',so Jeon will forever be special in Jun's life.Was this review helpful to you?
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Poignant, sad, and yet hopeful....with some really stellar storytelling and acting
A beautiful slice-of-life tale with flawed, mostly insecure, incessantly evasive and predictably coward queer men, running away from taking a chance at happiness and love ...and yet, our protagonist finds a way to get a foothold on life....finds the courage to be authentic, to breathe, to express and to be unafraid.....keeping hope alive, even when wading through all the bleakness of life's uncertainties and crueltiesThe script, camerawork, colouring and editing...all of them are bang on, with not an ounce of flab anywhere...and the acting is absolutely stellar
Cho You Hyun is stunning in his act as Cheol Jun, a young, vulnerable, gay man who has deflected from North to South Korea, looking to find a foothold, a life and finding himself...as he cautiously explores the gay scene in Seoul as a quiet, introverted and sensitive misfit in the scene, he meets Yeong Jeon, superbly portrayed by Kim Hyun Mok....as they start getting to know each other as part of a gay group, they start off with misfires...the situation gets further compounded by insecurities, jealousy and self-doubts.....and when they are finally able to face the truth, the usual cowardice shows up and Yeong Jeon chooses to run instead of finding the courage to accept their truth and take a chance on their love...
Its both angering and heartbreaking, particularly because you are reminded of all the times you did the same - running away instead of taking a chance, even though you knew there was a real possibility.... simply because you never want to lose and face your own insecurities of not being enough, letting love slip through for the fear of losing it in future ....damn the cowardice!!!
Cho You Hyun, however, finds the courage to confess, to not flinch and then offer that spark of courage to others like him.....he finds a way to get admitted to a college, go back to the gay community space and gets past his inhibition to sing his heart's song...
The rawness and vulnerability of the storytelling makes it beautifully poignant... I also loved that so much of what goes on in this movie is via expressions, backdrops, and silences...which aptly underlines the unspoken, hidden and repression of a queer life at the margins
This is really stunning and one of the best for me in the recent times.....and that beautiful end-song gave me goosebumps....if there is hope, we go on.....
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