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Wow. She actually died. That was a shock for me. There are quite a few dramas involving deaths, especially when kids are involved, that would benefit from the character dies but they don't do it, for understable reasons (a happy ending is a happy ending) but they concluded the story in a sad, yet still, satisfying way. Everyone got closure, said their goodbyes, tried everything and left with no real regrets. It's unfortunate that the kids don't have a mother once again but I guess they will have loving grandparents instead. The story isn't straightforward either. There is an age difference, unfortunate past (which is clearly a no-no) on both sides, illness, plus she is initially engaged to our male protagonist's brother. There are a lot of things against our hero's which makes their time together that much more valuable and loving. Was this review helpful to you?
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Yoo Ah-in tried to kill a Yakuza leader and he survives? I don't buy it. Sorry. The movie is weak in all aspects, like the romance with Jung Yu-Mi who's underused and the gangster parts but when it came to the relationship between him and his mother, it was like a whole different movie. Calling this "uneven" would be generous. The villains are more comedic than dangerous. Wi Gon was sympathetic and just in his actions and Sang Gon was unoriginal in the gang leader role. The charm of the ilm was Yoo Ah In as Kang Chul and Kim Hae Sook as the sick mother. Was this review helpful to you?
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This was pretty much a small budget version of Farewell My Concubine without the historical elements. The film is about two actors falling in love with each other while making a play about a tragedy love affair that ends in suicide. And, spoilers, Yoong-woo, one of the characters, tries to do just that only to just be saved by Jae-ha. Now this was not Farewell My Concubine though. This was just any interesting film that's rushed in crucial parts which prevent this from being anything better than intriguing. This has the appeal of being a LGBTQ film in Korea with a credible, mainstream actor, Park Sung Woong starring in the role. Oh Seung-hoon was immense in the third act, though. That’s worth watching. Was this review helpful to you?
This was a very unique, nihilistic portrayal of a Gangster Movie full of death, revenge and violence. The film opens up with our main character, Tae-gu (wonderfully played by badass Uhm Tae-gu) grimly talking with his ill sister and her daughter about potentially being stabbed - foreshadowing the ending - right before they die. There was a severe impending sense of death immediately and it stuck with us throughout until the closing credits. Tae-gu is on the run after seemingly avenging his sister's death where he meets terminal ill, mouthy Jae-yeon (Jeon Yeo-been), who is an incredible markswoman. Both of them experience pain and loss, and they bond together through company. Despite their short time together, they were a compelling unit that we care about deeply. The antagonists of the film were typical gangster villains but Director Ma had a rare honour to him that makes him stand out from the snake, Mr Yang.
The violence was incredibly excessive, with blood being in practically every scene. The action was exciting though. Even though the main character is going through dozens of bad guys, there is a dramatic sense of danger in those scenes, especially the car scene where Tae-gu is going insane, fighting for his life with a knife. Frantic as hell. The writing was quite clever as well. The use of gratuitous language can be a tad too much but there are a lot of off the hand humorous moments to off-set the sombre tone.
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This had many elements for you to enjoy. It obviously speaks to the teens of South (and North) Korea more than someone like myself, but I think you can find solace in the family-like community that Dong-Gu grows to appreciate in the end. The heartwarming bromance between Dong-Gu, Hae-Jin and Hae-Rang - all three is a joy to watch. The scenes when they are at dinner or the anchovie scene were beautiful. Dong-Gu. I like the the idea of them having to use their training in their fight scenes come later in the film. The scenes themselves were predictably brutal in Korean fashion. Although the exection of some plot points like Sang-Gu being evil or whatever felt really flat.The ending was pretty sad with Hae-Jin and Hae-Rang dying from their sacrifices and Dong-Gu persumably being killed - at least there is a bit of hope.
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The cast was so good. All of them. There were a wide range of characters with distinctive personalities and plenty of time to develop them and everyone held up to the same great standard. Kim Seul Gi was terrific as always as Shin Sun Ae. Just as quirky and quick witted as she usually is. Park Bo Young not only had to channel the same energy as Kim Seul Gi, but she had to keep her main character’s energy too. Jo Jung Suk was just as good regarding his performance. If you want a kind, driven character, cast Jo Jung Suk because he gives that to you perfectly. Now onto the MVP of the drama, Im Joo Hwan, who played Choi Seong Jae, the seemingly friendly Police Officer who is hiding a secret. Somehow he was able to be sympathetic, yet dark at the same time. Im Joo Hwan is definitely a strong second lead character to have. You're going to get a good effort out of him.
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