"One on One" has been invited to Venice Days, an autonomous segment of the International Venice Film Festival.
The movie's overseas distributor, Fine Cut, reported that "One on One" was selected as one of the opening acts of the Venice festival, which makes it the third time for Kim and his work to be invited to Venice. Venice Days was launched in 2004 and it is modeled on the Cannes Directors' Fortnight of the Cannes International Film Festival, being overseen by the Italian Filmmakers Associations ANAC and 100autori. Every year, it invites 12 feature-length films and selects one winner to take the Europa Cinema Label, which is only given to movie produced in Europe. It is the only competitive part of the event.
Director Kim Ki-duk' said, ""One on One" is a movie about the place I live, Korea. I admit I told myself I'm cowardly as I wrote the scenario. I am always shocked by my country while living in it. A corrupted government can be seen as ability if it succeeds. I've disliked and hated my government and even given up on it. Who is Oh Min-joo, the girl who gets murdered at the start of the movie? Whoever it is, everyone needs their own 'Oh Min-joo' to watch the movie to the end. Whether you agree with the ending or not; if you don't feel murdered, then don't watch the movie. I made it so that someone would understand. It doesn't matter otherwise. That's us right now". "One on One" is a trauma flick about those hurt by society and resent it, kidnapping those who reign over them and taking revenge. Starring Ma Dong-seok and Kim Yeong-min.
I watched all 5 dramas nominated, so here's my 2 cents... Each of us likes a genre more than others, has fav. actors and actresses, enjoys certain story lines and hates others. So all we can do is express what our favs are, I doubt there is mutual ground for deciding what is best and worst just based on biased opinions.
If I had to rank those dramas, my top would look like this: 1. Answer Me 1994; 2. I Hear Your Voice; 3. You From Another Star; 4. Secret Love Affair and 5. Good Doctor. Why?
Answer Me 1994 was so lively and down to earth that you could easily feel like living together with those guys, like you were one of the boarders. Almost each and every one of the actors did a brilliant job bringing to life his/her character. It's no wonder they had the whole country and netizens divided and shipping like crazy, to the verge of civil war (joking!). Even though the writers took a bit too far the "guessing who the husband is" game, they were insanely detailed when they wrote the story, seasoning it with so many references to actual real life events (documenting that period) that it was a delight for people like me who like to also learn a few new things while enjoying a movie or drama. Writing, acting, OST, plot...thumbs up! I could write pages about this drama and it still wouldn't be enough to explain how much I liked it, so I stop here.
Why "I Hear Your Voice?" I doubt anyone can deny the acting skills of the leads. Lee Bo Young was the perfect choice for that character and boy! what a refreshing one it was. After all the female leads that seem to exist in dramas just to love or be loved by some men, being either the lady in distress or the heartless gold digger, it felt like finally you get to see a STRONG woman who doesn't just go all softy after 2-3 episodes and hides behind the good ole prince charming in the end...maybe because she was a noona, so she had the upper hand? Nope! Both the writers and the actress did a great job IMO creating a balanced character. So she was a noona, yes, but when she got swayed by the high-school kid it somehow came natural and made perfect sense,not giving you the chills. And they took turns in being selfish and making sacrifices, how about being fair. I think that was the main reason I bought the story, they were not striving for perfection, be it on the bright or the dark side. Lee Jong suk had a more complex character than all the other male leads, except Trash oppa (no wonder he got the award *Yeyy for him*) and pulled it off like a pro, perfect chemistry with his noona. What else made me place it second? I loved the supporting characters (the air headed judge and the villain) as well, I adored the fast pace that didn't leave room for boredom, the OST was ok as well, but most of all I just liked how the writers tried to make no excuses, amends or ever bothered to explain the supernatural element of the story LOL WTG!
And so I get to no. 3. Alien vs. "alien". If you ask me the drama couldn't have possibly made it so big without Jeon Ji Hyun. She virtually stole the show and made all the others look like mere accessories to her character (hence the rank this drama has in my top). What I am trying to say is that JJH would have been brilliant even without KSH, but not the other way around. IMO his sparkles were a mere reflection of her overwhelming light... There, I've said it, now throw your stones LOL Of course he did his job and he did it damn well. But, but... his character wasn't the greatest challenge in male dramaland for sure, let's be honest! What I do wholeheartedly admit on the other hand is that this drama delivered the best lines / catchphrases I've come upon in a long time. The fanart was delicious as well, I would ROFL every time I bumped into something YHCFTS related... As for the second leads, not at all impressive, at least for me (and that was a minus compared to Reply 1994 for example). Too boring and one-dimensional, no thrills, no risks taken... Something else that bothered me: while both this drama and I Hear Your Voice have the supernatural element, the latter didn't emphasize it to the extent where it could turn into a loose cannon and that was a wise choice. The alien plot on the other hand just made the finale a big mess. It felt like they were in a hurry to pack up and flee and they just couldn't be bothered to come up with a better explanation for all that going back and forth of our cute ET. A shame indeed and a major turn off for me. Thank God for the lovely OST that made up (partially) for it!
Secret Love Affair? Another great drama that should have and made it to the top. First of all I must confess: when it comes to classical music and piano, I am instantly attracted like a moth LOL While this may not be the case for most viewers, it did play a major role for me. They did an amazing job using the musical scores to convey the feelings and struggles of the leads and this is not an easy task... Now to the story, I'd say it was bold on several levels. The noona romance, though more and more present in dramaland nowadays, still remains a sensitive issue and a risky bet. Top the age gap with apparently huge background and class differences, ice the cake with the teacher-student affair taboo and you have what seems like a splitting headache coming your way. And here I must give proper credit to both leads. Imagine that they pulled it off. Confronted with a painfully slow paced and meditative, suffocating background story, they manage to make your heart race and your blood boil and that's amazing. How do I put this? Watching this drama is like drinking some exquisite wine that has the potential to taste like poison if you are not a connaiseur, Not easy to digest, way too many layers and that makes the drama def. not a "keeper" for the common drama addict looking for a good time. But for the niche targeted, it's one amazing must see story.
And last but not least, Good Doctor. First of all, I like Joo Won. Because of 2N1D. And because he does musicals. And because he is tall.That's how shallow I am LOL Howeverrrr, I do know a thing or two about autism and I can vouch he did a good job portraying his character. Yup, he did. And the writers get credit for that as well. Now, the whole mental mapping voodoo stuff may seem cool for some viewers (to the extent that they pulled the same card in Doctor Stranger), it may have some real life backing (google Temple Grandin or THINKING IN PICTURES if you want to know what I mean), BUT, BUT it just felt like overdoing it in this case, sorry Drama! Having said that, now whar? What other reasons were there to like "Good Doctor"? There was no stellar acting whatsoever from the other members of the cast, they did their jobs and that's it. You have no juicy love triangle worth debating, no breathtaking human stories (just heartwarming ones here and there). The OST is ok, but not out of the ordinary. Honestly the only thing that stayed with me 7-8 months after the drama finished airing (AKA until now) is how challenging must have been for Joo Won to bend his head and change his pitch all the time. For that he deserved recognition as an actor, but it's hardly enough to justify the "Best Drama" title. I mean common, it comes nowhere near what Jeon Ji Hyun did with her character, turning it into the huge locomotive that dragged along the whole project. Let's be honest here: it's all about politics, autism social awareness and so on! Nothing wrong with that, but not quite the right agora if you ask me...
Enough said! Don't kill me, just throw some opinions my way, I'd love to hear what you all think, that is if you saw the dramas! <3
Kim Soo Hyun might have taken home three trophies, but let's not forget that 2 of them are public vote based (and we all know he is riding the K wave at the mo, for one reason or the other, so that was as unexpected as the sun rising from the east...NOT). But when it comes to the one award that really counts, Best New Actor in a movie, don't even get me started. Yes, he was cute playing the dumb North Korean spy, he displayed great chocolate abs that reminded us of So Ji Sub in "Always" and Rain in "Ninja Assassin", but that's pretty much everything.
In my humble opinion at least 2 of the other nominees were more deserving of that award: Yeo Jin Goo (Hwai: A Monster Boy - http://bit.ly/1s3BTyl ) and Lee Joon (Rough Play - http://bit.ly/1dLVpFX ). Luckily there are other award ceremonies with more common sense in Korea, that did them justice. Yeo Jin-Goo got "Best New Actor" last November from both "Korean Association of Film Critics Awards" and "Blue Dragon Film Awards" and let's not forget he was ONLY 16 years old, he couldn't even go to his own movie premier.... As for Lee Joon, he received the same title from "Wildflower Film Awards" (that recognize the achievements of Korean independent and low-budget films). Am I the only one that thinks this way after seeing all 3 movies?
"I was searching for one great action film that involved men's sweat and the collision of bodies", said the movie's lead, Jeong Woo-seong, at a press conference. "When I came across the scenario of 'The Divine Move', even though I didn't have any understanding about baduk, I was immersed in it", Jeong said.
Movie literal title "Shinui Hansoo" ("God's One Move") refers to a winning move in the board game of "Baduk" (known in the West as "Go"), when the opponent is unable to counter and loses. Baduk is a game that requires prudent moves and much meditation time. In the two-player pastime, each person takes turns to move white or black stones to a different point on the grid with the aim of taking over a larger portion of the board. Unlike baduk's predominant image as a game of courtesy, when it is played for money in the film it can become a deadly match involving physical altercations.
I never understood before those people that write fanfiction, imagining all sort of alternate stories and endings as it best suits their taste. But this was the first time ever I had like a completely different story line going on in my mind Both the King and the Emperor were strong contenders, but none of them matched those outstanding and utterly smecsy circumvolutions of Tal Tal's brain. In my book birds of a feather should flock together, hence witty Nyang should have been uncontrollably attracted to Tal Tal and forget about the other 2. Then again, if she doesn't want him, can I take him, pretty please? LOL
After watching ep.14, it is starting to get on my nerves! When you deal with a huge conspiracy can you afford to just wave your stick at the bad guys, mocking them and pissing them off? Or do you have the luxury to leisurely sing trot while driving your bugged car just to get on the toes of the one who has enough money to buy the souls of a million hired killers? Geez, writer-nim, give me a break!!!
2 
The movie's overseas distributor, Fine Cut, reported that "One on One" was selected as one of the opening acts of the Venice festival, which makes it the third time for Kim and his work to be invited to Venice. Venice Days was launched in 2004 and it is modeled on the Cannes Directors' Fortnight of the Cannes International Film Festival, being overseen by the Italian Filmmakers Associations ANAC and 100autori. Every year, it invites 12 feature-length films and selects one winner to take the Europa Cinema Label, which is only given to movie produced in Europe. It is the only competitive part of the event.
Director Kim Ki-duk' said, ""One on One" is a movie about the place I live, Korea. I admit I told myself I'm cowardly as I wrote the scenario. I am always shocked by my country while living in it. A corrupted government can be seen as ability if it succeeds. I've disliked and hated my government and even given up on it. Who is Oh Min-joo, the girl who gets murdered at the start of the movie? Whoever it is, everyone needs their own 'Oh Min-joo' to watch the movie to the end. Whether you agree with the ending or not; if you don't feel murdered, then don't watch the movie. I made it so that someone would understand. It doesn't matter otherwise. That's us right now". "One on One" is a trauma flick about those hurt by society and resent it, kidnapping those who reign over them and taking revenge. Starring Ma Dong-seok and Kim Yeong-min.
If I had to rank those dramas, my top would look like this: 1. Answer Me 1994; 2. I Hear Your Voice; 3. You From Another Star; 4. Secret Love Affair and 5. Good Doctor. Why?
Answer Me 1994 was so lively and down to earth that you could easily feel like living together with those guys, like you were one of the boarders. Almost each and every one of the actors did a brilliant job bringing to life his/her character. It's no wonder they had the whole country and netizens divided and shipping like crazy, to the verge of civil war (joking!). Even though the writers took a bit too far the "guessing who the husband is" game, they were insanely detailed when they wrote the story, seasoning it with so many references to actual real life events (documenting that period) that it was a delight for people like me who like to also learn a few new things while enjoying a movie or drama. Writing, acting, OST, plot...thumbs up! I could write pages about this drama and it still wouldn't be enough to explain how much I liked it, so I stop here.
Why "I Hear Your Voice?" I doubt anyone can deny the acting skills of the leads. Lee Bo Young was the perfect choice for that character and boy! what a refreshing one it was. After all the female leads that seem to exist in dramas just to love or be loved by some men, being either the lady in distress or the heartless gold digger, it felt like finally you get to see a STRONG woman who doesn't just go all softy after 2-3 episodes and hides behind the good ole prince charming in the end...maybe because she was a noona, so she had the upper hand? Nope! Both the writers and the actress did a great job IMO creating a balanced character. So she was a noona, yes, but when she got swayed by the high-school kid it somehow came natural and made perfect sense,not giving you the chills. And they took turns in being selfish and making sacrifices, how about being fair. I think that was the main reason I bought the story, they were not striving for perfection, be it on the bright or the dark side. Lee Jong suk had a more complex character than all the other male leads, except Trash oppa (no wonder he got the award *Yeyy for him*) and pulled it off like a pro, perfect chemistry with his noona. What else made me place it second? I loved the supporting characters (the air headed judge and the villain) as well, I adored the fast pace that didn't leave room for boredom, the OST was ok as well, but most of all I just liked how the writers tried to make no excuses, amends or ever bothered to explain the supernatural element of the story LOL WTG!
And so I get to no. 3. Alien vs. "alien". If you ask me the drama couldn't have possibly made it so big without Jeon Ji Hyun. She virtually stole the show and made all the others look like mere accessories to her character (hence the rank this drama has in my top). What I am trying to say is that JJH would have been brilliant even without KSH, but not the other way around. IMO his sparkles were a mere reflection of her overwhelming light... There, I've said it, now throw your stones LOL Of course he did his job and he did it damn well. But, but... his character wasn't the greatest challenge in male dramaland for sure, let's be honest! What I do wholeheartedly admit on the other hand is that this drama delivered the best lines / catchphrases I've come upon in a long time. The fanart was delicious as well, I would ROFL every time I bumped into something YHCFTS related... As for the second leads, not at all impressive, at least for me (and that was a minus compared to Reply 1994 for example). Too boring and one-dimensional, no thrills, no risks taken... Something else that bothered me: while both this drama and I Hear Your Voice have the supernatural element, the latter didn't emphasize it to the extent where it could turn into a loose cannon and that was a wise choice. The alien plot on the other hand just made the finale a big mess. It felt like they were in a hurry to pack up and flee and they just couldn't be bothered to come up with a better explanation for all that going back and forth of our cute ET. A shame indeed and a major turn off for me. Thank God for the lovely OST that made up (partially) for it!
Secret Love Affair? Another great drama that should have and made it to the top. First of all I must confess: when it comes to classical music and piano, I am instantly attracted like a moth LOL While this may not be the case for most viewers, it did play a major role for me. They did an amazing job using the musical scores to convey the feelings and struggles of the leads and this is not an easy task... Now to the story, I'd say it was bold on several levels. The noona romance, though more and more present in dramaland nowadays, still remains a sensitive issue and a risky bet. Top the age gap with apparently huge background and class differences, ice the cake with the teacher-student affair taboo and you have what seems like a splitting headache coming your way. And here I must give proper credit to both leads. Imagine that they pulled it off. Confronted with a painfully slow paced and meditative, suffocating background story, they manage to make your heart race and your blood boil and that's amazing. How do I put this? Watching this drama is like drinking some exquisite wine that has the potential to taste like poison if you are not a connaiseur, Not easy to digest, way too many layers and that makes the drama def. not a "keeper" for the common drama addict looking for a good time. But for the niche targeted, it's one amazing must see story.
And last but not least, Good Doctor. First of all, I like Joo Won. Because of 2N1D. And because he does musicals. And because he is tall.That's how shallow I am LOL Howeverrrr, I do know a thing or two about autism and I can vouch he did a good job portraying his character. Yup, he did. And the writers get credit for that as well. Now, the whole mental mapping voodoo stuff may seem cool for some viewers (to the extent that they pulled the same card in Doctor Stranger), it may have some real life backing (google Temple Grandin or THINKING IN PICTURES if you want to know what I mean), BUT, BUT it just felt like overdoing it in this case, sorry Drama! Having said that, now whar? What other reasons were there to like "Good Doctor"? There was no stellar acting whatsoever from the other members of the cast, they did their jobs and that's it. You have no juicy love triangle worth debating, no breathtaking human stories (just heartwarming ones here and there). The OST is ok, but not out of the ordinary. Honestly the only thing that stayed with me 7-8 months after the drama finished airing (AKA until now) is how challenging must have been for Joo Won to bend his head and change his pitch all the time. For that he deserved recognition as an actor, but it's hardly enough to justify the "Best Drama" title. I mean common, it comes nowhere near what Jeon Ji Hyun did with her character, turning it into the huge locomotive that dragged along the whole project. Let's be honest here: it's all about politics, autism social awareness and so on! Nothing wrong with that, but not quite the right agora if you ask me...
Enough said! Don't kill me, just throw some opinions my way, I'd love to hear what you all think, that is if you saw the dramas! <3
In my humble opinion at least 2 of the other nominees were more deserving of that award: Yeo Jin Goo (Hwai: A Monster Boy - http://bit.ly/1s3BTyl ) and Lee Joon (Rough Play - http://bit.ly/1dLVpFX ). Luckily there are other award ceremonies with more common sense in Korea, that did them justice. Yeo Jin-Goo got "Best New Actor" last November from both "Korean Association of Film Critics Awards" and "Blue Dragon Film Awards" and let's not forget he was ONLY 16 years old, he couldn't even go to his own movie premier.... As for Lee Joon, he received the same title from "Wildflower Film Awards" (that recognize the achievements of Korean independent and low-budget films). Am I the only one that thinks this way after seeing all 3 movies?
Movie literal title "Shinui Hansoo" ("God's One Move") refers to a winning move in the board game of "Baduk" (known in the West as "Go"), when the opponent is unable to counter and loses. Baduk is a game that requires prudent moves and much meditation time. In the two-player pastime, each person takes turns to move white or black stones to a different point on the grid with the aim of taking over a larger portion of the board. Unlike baduk's predominant image as a game of courtesy, when it is played for money in the film it can become a deadly match involving physical altercations.
http://bit.ly/1rklRT2