The story isn't something new: a middle-level gangster in a midlife crisis decides to run his own business venture and discovers who are his friends and foes on the way. More character-driven than action-packed, it's a decent watch for gangster genre lovers.
A wholesome women-centered story with a raw, painfully realistic depiction of their relationships, love and work life, growing and aging, inner thoughts and demons. A beautifully crafted study on choices and decisions, lingering feelings and regrets, as well as an honest take on women's insecurities, anxiety, rivalry and competitiveness - and the 'ugly' side of their marriage, family and work environment. Ariel Lin and Tiffany Hsu were fantastic in their demanding and very complicated roles, while their chemistry and bonding was more impressive than any romance. A perfect drama about imperfect people.
A heartwarming and inspiring story showing the unbreakable bond between a mother and her mentally challenged child. Go Doo Shim and Kim Sung Kyun were excellent in their demanding roles, giving justice to their characters without being overly dramatic or exaggerated. And even if the ending is predictable, I couldn't help but get teary eyes more than once during some heartbreaking and powerful moments.
In spite of the weak writing, using every japanese and korean trope available, and the annoyingly childish and poorly acted FL character, this was an easy cute and fluffy watch, mainly due to the scene-stealing MVP Chae Jong Hyeop and his charming character.
An enigmatic and complex story which is stylistically beautiful -with idyllic landscapes and forestry around an 'untouched' isolated village- dressed with impressively well-fitted music, but with an incoherent and confusing storytelling, and a very cryptic ending. A demanding but rewarding watch.
A decent but very predictable crime/action story that follows every classic film noir trope found in korean cinema during the last decades. Park Sung Woong was convincing in his role and, even if the plot wasn't tightly woven and some arcs felt forced (especially the romance), it may be an entertaining watch for gangster genre lovers.
With a piercing, absolute scene-stelling performance from child actress Osawa Kana, this is a sad, difficult to watch slice-of-life story about a ‘rebellious’, lonely, neglected preteen girl in a dysfunctional family, and her unsuccessful attempts to get noticed, understood and loved.
A biographical story about one of the most beloved Japanese authors, Kenji Miyazawa, presented mostly from his father's perspective. Beautifully directed and shot, though with more melodrama than necessary, it was an interesting and very touching watch, mainly due to its protagonist, Koji Yakusho and Suda Masaki, their exemplary versatility, chemistry and bonding.
A peculiar film, with a controversial story about Buddhism, monks, sins, merits, moral conscience, ghosts and horror elements. Though it was initially banned, it was released in theaters, after several scenes were edited out, but was still prohibited for those under 18.
An emotional and healing journey of two wounded, mourning people to find truth and justice, through revenge, anger, repentance, forgiveness, and many obstacles on their way. Kim Nam Joo gave a splendid performance as a mother who tragically lost her precious child, while Cha Eun Woo showed a real effort to improve his acting skills - and that he is maturing to a very handsome and attractive man.
A bittersweet story with melancholic vibes about a sad adult love through which two lonely, burdened people find comfort and fleeting moments of happiness.
With a wonderful cinematography and a mellow music score, this slow-paced story with minimal dialogues and a subtle, melancholic tone, is about two lonely grieving people that find solace and a lending ear in each other's company.
Even though the blend of comedy with extreme school bullying didn't sit well with me, and most of the story was exaggerated, I really enjoyed Shin Hye Sun's kickass character and performance in this.
One of the few cases when a remake is on par with the original. An emotional, affectionate story presented in a (not always successful) comedic way, with an unexpected plot-twist and an extremely moving and heartbreaking ending.
Bittersweet, melancholic and nostalgic - with a touch of magic - study on afterlife, regrets and making amends. With a Koreeda-like vibe, wonderful cinematography and a great cast, especially Lily Franky who gave a heartfelt performance as Michael, and a well-balanced emotional impact, this was an interesting watch, even though some characters backstories weren't developed properly.
A cruel and honest depiction of the depths of desperation defectors and refugees have to face while seeking a place to belong. Not bad, but could have been much better if the pacing and the storytelling of the first part wasn't swept away by the forced romance that wasn't romancing during the second half. Nonetheless, it was nice to see Song Joong Ki in this challenging role.
Based on true events, this is an inspirational, feel-good and very entertaining sports story about an underdog high school basketball team, full of youth, dreams, talent and hard work that manages to achieve an impossible success. A perfect weekend watch.
A bleak, slow-burn story inspired by a real-life case of a young student's struggling, exploitation and tragic demise, told in two parts. A piercing social commentary on the crushed hopes and dreams of young people caused by the indifference and derogation they face at their exploitative working environment, as well as the social stigma for those who are unable to 'endure' the suffocating family and societal expectations. Top-notch performances from Bae Doo Na and Kim Shi Eun, in a difficult but thought-provoking watch.
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More character-driven than action-packed, it's a decent watch for gangster genre lovers.
A beautifully crafted study on choices and decisions, lingering feelings and regrets, as well as an honest take on women's insecurities, anxiety, rivalry and competitiveness - and the 'ugly' side of their marriage, family and work environment.
Ariel Lin and Tiffany Hsu were fantastic in their demanding and very complicated roles, while their chemistry and bonding was more impressive than any romance.
A perfect drama about imperfect people.
Go Doo Shim and Kim Sung Kyun were excellent in their demanding roles, giving justice to their characters without being overly dramatic or exaggerated.
And even if the ending is predictable, I couldn't help but get teary eyes more than once during some heartbreaking and powerful moments.
A demanding but rewarding watch.
Park Sung Woong was convincing in his role and, even if the plot wasn't tightly woven and some arcs felt forced (especially the romance), it may be an entertaining watch for gangster genre lovers.
Beautifully directed and shot, though with more melodrama than necessary, it was an interesting and very touching watch, mainly due to its protagonist, Koji Yakusho and Suda Masaki, their exemplary versatility, chemistry and bonding.
Though it was initially banned, it was released in theaters, after several scenes were edited out, but was still prohibited for those under 18.
Kim Nam Joo gave a splendid performance as a mother who tragically lost her precious child, while Cha Eun Woo showed a real effort to improve his acting skills - and that he is maturing to a very handsome and attractive man.
An emotional, affectionate story presented in a (not always successful) comedic way, with an unexpected plot-twist and an extremely moving and heartbreaking ending.
With a Koreeda-like vibe, wonderful cinematography and a great cast, especially Lily Franky who gave a heartfelt performance as Michael, and a well-balanced emotional impact, this was an interesting watch, even though some characters backstories weren't developed properly.
Not bad, but could have been much better if the pacing and the storytelling of the first part wasn't swept away by the forced romance that wasn't romancing during the second half.
Nonetheless, it was nice to see Song Joong Ki in this challenging role.
A perfect weekend watch.
A piercing social commentary on the crushed hopes and dreams of young people caused by the indifference and derogation they face at their exploitative working environment, as well as the social stigma for those who are unable to 'endure' the suffocating family and societal expectations.
Top-notch performances from Bae Doo Na and Kim Shi Eun, in a difficult but thought-provoking watch.