Reviews

Two husbands, one mission, tons of chaos

Husbands in Action is the most random idea that came to you one random afternoon, and you decided to take it and run with it, because why not?! The setup is stupid and brilliant at the same time, and it should work.
(It most definitely does)

The premise is very new, Hwang Chun Shik and Lee Min Seok (played to perfection by Jin Sun Kyu and Gong Myung, by the way) don't like each other very much, considering they are the ex and current husband of Si Nae, and fathers to Yeon Ju. But they are suddenly pulled into action together when the two women are kidnapped by Hye Ran, the wife of Ma Do Jun, a gangster who was recently arrested by Chun Shik.

The plot goes exactly how you would expect it to - it's so hilariously predictable that it's actually charming. There's no out of character actions, no huge plot twists. It's supposed to be a funny buddy comedy, the writers knew that and the crew executed it exactly that way.

To that end, Jin Sun Kyu and Gong Myung carried this for me. Their chemistry and comedic timing was always perfect, and they played off each other incredibly well.

The rest of the characters were occasionally hilarious, sometimes not but because of how quickly the plot moved, it was very easy to just move along with it and ignore the punchlines and jokes that didn't land. That is a perfect summary - it's funny, but it's easy to ignore even when it's not.

Overall, it's a good movie to spend a lazy afternoon with, the kind of movie doesn't take itself way too seriously and doesn't really leave a huge impact, but worth a watch.

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Rehret comes too late...

The Atmosphere: A Golden-Hued Beijing

​The film excels at capturing the sensory details of growing up in 1980s and 90s Beijing. From the oversized blue-and-white school tracksuits to the shared pop-culture milestones (like listening to Faye Wong or watching the World Cup), the first half of the movie relies heavily on a warm, golden-hued aesthetic. It establishes a vibrant world where the bonds between the main group of five friends feel utterly unbreakable.

​The Core Conflict: Love vs. Maturation

​At the center of the story is the romance between Chen Xun (played by Eddie Peng) and Fang Fen (played by Ni Ni). Your summary captures the exact emotional arc of the film: it isn't a traditional happily-ever-after romance, but rather an exploration of how a monumental first love shapes a person's entire identity.

​The Breakdown:
As they transition from high school to university, the idealistic promises they made as teenagers begin to fracture under the pressures of adulthood and changing environments. Chen Xun's ultimate betrayal and Fang Fen's devastating response form the tragic emotional anchor of the movie. ​The "For Better or Worse" Reality: The film doesn't shy away from making its characters flawed. Chen Xun isn't a perfect hero; his mistakes are deeply frustrating, which makes his older self's intense regret feel earned. Fang Fen's heartbreak changes her trajectory completely, leaving a permanent scar on the group dynamic. ​

The Framing Device: The Confessional

​By using the wedding photographer as a sounding board, the movie shifts from a simple romance into a confessional. Looking back allows Chen Xun to strip away his youthful ego and view his past actions with painful clarity. The realization that his current identity—for better or worse—was forged entirely by the way he handled that heartbreak is the film's most mature theme.

​The Verdict:
Fleet of Time can occasionally lean a bit too hard into melodramatic tropes in its final act, but its strong performances (particularly Ni Ni's fragile intensity) and stunning cinematography make it a powerful look at how we reconcile with our past mistakes to move forward.

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Felt Like a Rough Draft

I liked the ending. The problem is that story was too often choppy. The story premise is a good one but the script often left potential humor on the table unexploited. The execution lacks the polish we start to routinely see some 10+ years later.

An example is an early scene after they just got married and the young unconsummated couple in formal clothes are sharing an evening celebration dinner with both sets of parents. It comes time to retire to a back bedroom - one bedroom. The groom, a bit tipsy, seizes and carries the teen bride to the bedroom, and falls onto the bed, a small bed. This is just one obvious situation that this story with this set up has to confront and we the audience can see it coming and are anticipating an answer, likely comedic, as to how the couple will get through the night. But like someone starting a good joke and then denying us the punch line, the scene just ends with them very briefly tussling on the bed. The next scene the husband is dropping his teen wife off at her high school. What happened? Just how did they manage to get through the night?

Early on it's made clear that she's 16, the age of consent, before the two are forced to marry to satisfy the last wishes of their grandfathers.

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spoiler!

Si, la película es muy entretenida y divertida. pero eso no le quita el pésimo final y trama q tiene, se q es según el manga, pero el otro man si la queria y tenia el valor. en cambio el "protagonista" que de hecho me gusta el actor y por eso no lo podía odiar, pero es que era un pirobito. Se quedaba con la loca esa que se hacia la víctima y hasta llegó a tratar mal a su "mejor amiga" por una chica la cual apenas conocia. Simplemente no. podrían haber hecho que se viera mas natural su romance, ya que parece que solo se dio cuenta de sus sentimientos cuando vio que ya no le prestaba atención, no lo perseguía ni nada. Solo eso hizo que se fijará en ella.

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"Everything is fine, right?"

Ordinary People aka The Villagers had Ma Dong Seok playing the new gym teacher at a rural school in a town full of corruption and deadly secrets. The late Kim Sae Ron, in a role reminiscent of the one in Nowhere Man, was a high school student desperately searching for her missing best friend.

Yuk Ki Chul takes a teaching job in a rural area after losing his boxing coach position. It’s not long before he realizes the people are on edge. The school staff and police are more concerned about protecting the governor who also chairs the school and is up for re-election than a missing high school girl. Senior Kang Yu Jin refuses to give up on her friend despite every adult she asks for help not only rejecting her but shaming her as well. When Ki Chul rescues her from a dangerous situation a glimmer of hope builds within her that she has found an adult to trust.

Let’s just get my bias out of the way. I will watch almost anything the best ahjussi hitter is in. MDS may not be the greatest actor but I find his screen presence comforting and it usually hits my groove. This film was a by the numbers story of powerful men abusing women and young girls and thinking they could get away with murder. Dang. It really hits hard with what is going on in the world right now. Kim Sae Ron’s Yu Jin made for a dogged sidekick to Yuk’s man with a conscience. The bad guys’ team was weakly drawn, but managed to give Yuk reasons to punch them in the face and kidneys or break through their doors with his fists. Given that nearly everyone in the film was on the take or prejudiced against girls, I was ready to bust some heads.

Ordinary People played to Ma Dong Seok’s strengths and went no further yet still kept me entertained. It was sad seeing the talented Kim Sae Ron who we lost too soon. If you aren’t super picky about your corrupt small-town mysteries, it might be one to give a try. Small ratings bump for MDS.

19 June 2026

Trigger warnings: Girls in jeopardy, but no sexual assaults. The few fights weren’t graphic compared to the Roundup series.

School note: For a rural area they had a huge high school.

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Great Starts, Fading Sparks

Based on the highly popular manga by Inouesatoh, the live-action movie adaptation of 10Dance, directed by Keishi Ōtomo, centers on an intense rivalry in the world of competitive ballroom dancing. The story follows Shinya Suzuki (Ryoma Takeuchi), a passionate Latin dance champion, and Shinya Sugiki (Keita Machida), an elegant standard ballroom master. To prepare for a prestigious competition, they agree to teach each other their respective styles. While the film manages to snatch an 8/10 score due to its incredible production value, it leaves a lingering feeling that it could have been much tighter, especially regarding its romantic tensionThe first half of 10Dance is an absolute masterclass in building tension. The contrast between Suzuki's fiery, unpolished energy and Sugiki's cold, rigid perfection creates instant magic on screen. When they first step onto the dance floor together, the chemistry between Takeuchi and Machida is electric. The lingering touches, the intense eye contact during rehearsals, and the sheer competitive friction make their bond feel deeply captivating. In these early segments, the romance feels like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode, keeping you completely glued to the screenHowever, as the movie progresses, the initial excitement begins to flatline. Once the characters settle into their routine, the fiery tension that made the first half so amazing completely dissipates. Instead of developing their relationship into something deeper and more passionate, the script bogs itself down with repetitive training montages and heavy technical details about competitive dance rules. Because the intense romantic chemistry suddenly takes a backseat, the narrative slows down to a crawl. The lack of emotional progression makes the latter part of the film feel surprisingly dull and boring, making you question if an 8/10 rating is almost too generous.Ultimately, 10Dance is a solid 8/10 experience that stands out for its breathtaking cinematography, stunning choreography, and magnificent acting. It is a visually beautiful movie that captures the elegance of the sport perfectly. However, it is held back by unbalanced pacing. If the director had sustained the electric, sizzling chemistry from the beginning throughout the entire runtime rather than letting it fade into a slow, dry sports drama, this Japanese BL film would have been a definitive masterpiece.

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Watching for the Queer Narrative

Based on the celebrated novel by Park Sang-young, the Korean cinematic version of Love in the Big City (2024) is a refreshing, modern look at youth and urban life in Seoul. To be completely honest, my main motivation for hitting play on this movie was purely to follow the gay protagonist and see how South Korean cinema handles a prominent queer storyline. While the film balances a unique platonic friendship, it is the struggles, hidden life, and emotional journey of the gay lead that completely anchor the experience and make it a highly rewarding 8/10 watch.The absolute standout element of the film is Jang Heung-soo (played beautifully by Noh Sang-hyun), a closeted university student trying to survive in a deeply conservative society. The movie shines when it explores his perspective—the anxiety of keeping his identity a secret from his mother, the dual life he leads in the clubs at night versus campus by day, and the exhausting effort it takes to stay hidden. His vulnerability, quiet loneliness, and gradual steps toward self-acceptance provide the strongest emotional beats of the entire narrative. Watching his character navigate love, heartbreak, and identity is incredibly moving and rings profoundly true.While the queer storyline is the main attraction, it is beautifully complemented by Heung-soo’s relationship with his chaotic, free-spirited roommate, Jae-hee (Kim Go-eun). After she accidentally discovers his secret, instead of judging him, she becomes his ultimate confidante and shield against rumors. Their dynamic is refreshing because it never forces a fake romance between them. Instead, they act as each other's platonic soulmates through their 20s and early 30s. Having that fierce female ally by his side makes Heung-soo’s journey feel less tragic and gives the film a warm, comforting tone.Ultimately, Love in the Big City earns a solid 8/10. If you tune in strictly for the gay representation, you will find a highly respectful, realistic, and touching portrayal that avoids cheap stereotypes or forced drama. Steve Noh delivers a stellar performance that carries the emotional weight of the film effortlessly. It is a beautiful, slice-of-life comedy-drama that proves why queer narratives in mainstream Korean media are becoming absolutely unmissable.

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Guys Day Out

The premise of the movie is quite exciting and, as promised in the trailer, it delivers exactly that: an ex-husband and a current husband working together to rescue their wife and daughter after a kidnapping. In fact, it offers even more than expected, with a third husband joining the mix and a surprisingly entertaining villain, making for a fun ensemble of personalities.

The best part of the movie is the acting. Both the lead and supporting cast fully commit to their roles and clearly seem to be having a great time.

The execution has its ups and downs. The film actually does a good job of giving most of its characters meaningful backstories, to the point where you may even find yourself rooting for the villain at times. However, it is surprisingly selective about which relationships it chooses to show rather than tell.

The ex-husband gets a moment that establishes his bond with the daughter, allowing the audience to become invested in their relationship. Other characters are also given scenes that help flesh them out. Oddly, the current husband despite being one of the film's central characters is largely defined through dialogue and exposition. We hear about his role within the family, but rarely get to see it for ourselves. As a result, one of the movie's most important relationships feels less developed than it could have been.

That criticism aside, the film is well acted, genuinely funny, and packed with entertaining action sequences. The plot is fairly predictable and perhaps a little too ambitious for what it ultimately delivers, but it remains an enjoyable watch.

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Family Action

This is a prime example of "Netflix and chill"—a mindless action comedy that isn't made to win awards but to entertain viewers. I am actually surprised to see that the quality of Korean movies on Netflix is steadily increasing. This movie is filled with many talented actors who light up the screen with their charisma and personality every time they appear. The director made a real effort to give everyone a chance to shine in their role. For me personally, the highlight was a gangster Rambo—I just laughed every time he was on screen.

The comedy mostly consists of silly gags. I could predict many of the jokes before they even happened, but they were still funny. I also liked the final action scene. Usually, the finale is just a generic shootout where the good guys are the last ones standing, but here it was made memorable with plenty of comedy. My only complaint is too many F bombs.

So, being a forgettable action comedy is actually a good thing in this case, because I'll be able to forget the movie and then enjoy it again on a repeat viewing.

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Funny movie

This was a fun, escapist watch. I especially liked how the balance of power kept switching from one person to another. The interactions between all the characters were so funny. The action scenes were so well-choreographed, and most were very funny as well, which was good for me, because action isn't exactly my favorite genre.

I had to score this lower because of the excessive cursing, which really bothers me - but if you aren't bothered by it, give this movie a try, because otherwise, it's quite enjoyable.

I do have to say, the cameo at the end really confused me. It seemed very random.

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Colourless world of what ifs and regrets...

The movie explored the realistic and complex nature of long-term relationship between Jian Qing and Fang Xiao Xiao. It focused on their journey as a couple, their growth, how they became mature, and faced the challenges of life by staying together over time. Their story is not just a sweet or innocent romantic story but delves into the deeper, something different, difficult realities of love and commitment over the years together.

The acting in the movie is top-notch, especially the performances of the two leads. Their portrayal of them getting to know eachother, then being friends and later lovers felt realistically natural. They were lovely, silly but beautifully flawed together. Jing Boran, Zhou Dong Yu and the actor who played Jian Qing's father, Tian Zhuang Zhuang's superb acting that effectively portrayed their emotional transitions and growth of the characters throughout the film. The chemistry between the leads added the special, exclusive authenticity to their relationship which eventually made the story more engaging and relatable for me.

The narrative is described as lovely yet realistic, focusing on the ups and downs of a couple's life together. It touched on the themes of love, sacrifice, and the question of whether love can endure through life's hardships. The film's portrayal of these themes resonated with me very much. Because I truly appreciated their honest and mature approach to life. For me the FL who believed to do her without leaving in regrets has truly lived her life fullest. On the other side the ML who relied more on his self-sabotaging approach, had more regrets than he could imagine. The regrets piled up and hindered their happy life. Proved that sometimes love isn't enough to be together. Not everything in life our works out as we wanted it to be. Somethings are better left unfinished and unspoken. Their realistic soliloquy pierced through my heart many times that it made me cry a ton. I can't explain it enough how brilliantly the actors portrayed their emotions, that I could feel how they were hurting.
Also loved the mood and tone of the film. The soundtrack served its purpose without overshadowing the story or performances. It sewed their bittersweet journey in a melodious hidden love track.

Overall, this movie is a beautiful and heartfelt film that offered a sincere yet complex look at love and relationships. If you enjoy realistic approach to romance and life that goes the beyond clichés and explore the complexities of love, then I highly recommend this!

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We love a baddie female lead

I thought this movie was really fun! I loved the cast of characters as well as the actors themselves. The concept of So Si Min dressing up to be able to fight Han Su Gang was cool. I liked the way they made her dress for that with the mask. She was just a really cool character in general. I loved her! I always love seeing Lee Jun Young in anything, but I just love when he plays a bad guy. He's just so good at it. I loved seeing Cha Woomin as well! He is the whole reason I checked this movie out to begin with. If you like Weak Hero Class, Study Group, or those types of shows, then I think you'll like this movie a lot too!

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Two Husbands, One Family, and Way Too Much Emotional Baggage

The premise of "Husbands in Action" is so ridiculous that it honestly sells itself. You have a narcotics detective, Hwang Choong-sik, and a veterinarian, Lee Min-seok, who are united by the worst possible circumstance: one is the ex-husband, one is the current husband, and both are emotionally attached to the exact same family. When Choong-sik's ex-wife and daughter get kidnapped, the two men are forced to work together to rescue them. The entire film basically asks, "What if family therapy involved car chases?" and somehow that turns out to be a surprisingly effective premise.

What makes the movie work isn't the kidnapping plot, the criminals, or any of the action elements. The film knows exactly where its bread is buttered, and it's not with the crime story. It's with the constant irritation radiating between these two men. Every scene feels like they're trapped in a group project neither of them signed up for. They argue, compete, undermine each other, accidentally help each other, then immediately go back to arguing again. It's the cinematic equivalent of watching two dads fight over how to assemble IKEA furniture while the house is actively on fire.

The smartest thing the screenplay does is refuse to turn either man into a caricature. Jin Sun-kyu's Choong-sik could have easily become the irresponsible ex-husband cliché, the guy whose entire personality is regretting his divorce. Meanwhile, Gong Myung's Min-seok could have been written as the annoyingly perfect upgrade model, the kind of replacement husband who makes the audience feel personally attacked. Instead, both characters get to be stubborn, flawed, caring, insecure, and occasionally pathetic. By the middle of the movie, I found myself far more invested in whether these two idiots could coexist than whether anyone actually got rescued.

Their emotional journey is completely predictable, of course. You can see every beat coming from a mile away. But sometimes predictability isn't the problem. Sometimes the problem is whether the actors can sell the journey, and these two absolutely do. Watching them slowly move from rivals to reluctant allies has the comforting familiarity of a sitcom you've already seen before but still laugh at anyway.

The comedy carries a huge portion of the film's weight. This movie is deeply committed to being silly, and honestly, I respect that. There are slapstick gags, ridiculous misunderstandings, escalating disasters, and enough petty male competitiveness to power an entire reality show. Not every joke lands perfectly, but the film has the good sense to keep moving before any weak punchline overstays its welcome.

More importantly, most of the humour comes from character rather than circumstance. The funny moments don't happen because the plot is absurd; they happen because the people inside the plot are absurd. Choong-sik charges into situations with the confidence of a man who has never once considered consequences, while Min-seok approaches everything with the exhausted rationality of someone wondering why he's surrounded by lunatics. Their personalities do most of the heavy lifting.

Then there's Ma Do-jun, played by Kim Ji-suk, who arrives with the energy of a man who absolutely should not be trusted with any decision-making authority. He could have been just another forgettable gangster, but the movie gives him enough personality to stand out. Like the two leads, his choices are heavily shaped by his relationship with his wife, Hye-ran. In a weird way, the movie isn't actually about two husbands at all. It's about three husbands stumbling through life making increasingly questionable decisions because they're obsessed with the women they love.

The action scenes are perfectly serviceable. There are car chases, fights, rescue missions, and various opportunities for people to get punched dramatically. The important thing is that the movie never mistakes itself for a serious action thriller. The action exists primarily as a delivery system for more jokes and more bickering, which is exactly where it should be.

Unfortunately, this is also where the film starts running into its biggest problem. The premise is far more original than the story built around it. Once the setup is complete, the movie gradually settles into the safest possible version of itself. Every emotional revelation arrives on schedule. Every character arc unfolds exactly as expected. Every major development feels pre-installed at the factory.

Predictability alone isn't a crime. Romantic comedies survive on it, action comedies survive on it. The issue is that "Husbands in Action" doesn't have enough narrative depth to disguise how formulaic it becomes. The concept promises something delightfully messy and specific, but the plot keeps steering back toward familiar genre territory whenever things threaten to get interesting.

The treatment of the female characters is another frustrating weak point. For a movie built entirely around husbands, ex-husbands, wives, and family relationships, the women often feel oddly underdeveloped. Hye-ran emerges as the strongest female character largely because Lee Da-hee injects her with intelligence and presence whenever she's on screen. Meanwhile, Si-nae feels strangely sidelined despite being one of the central reasons the story exists in the first place. The movie spends so much time celebrating devoted husbands that it occasionally forgets to give equal attention to the women they're supposedly devoted to.

And yet, despite all these criticisms, I never found myself bored. The pace stays energetic, the cast remains committed, and the film never loses sight of its primary objective: entertaining the audience. There is something oddly charming about a movie that understands exactly what it is. Nobody here seems under the illusion that they're creating a groundbreaking masterpiece. They're making a goofy buddy action comedy about two men competing for the title of Most Emotionally Complicated Dad, and they commit to that premise wholeheartedly.

In essence, "Husbands in Action" is a fun combination of likable performances, solid comedic chemistry, and enough action to keep things moving. The story may be predictable, but sometimes watching two grown men argue their way through a kidnapping rescue operation is entertaining enough to make predictability feel beside the point.

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"Because I'm old I'm supposed to stay out of sight until I die?"

In a country where 50% of the people over 76 years old live below the poverty line, meat can become a distant memory. In People and Meat three elderly citizens brooch civility and the law by dashing and dining in order to eat well.

Park Hyung Jun (80), Jang Woo Shik (78), and Baek Hwa Jin (72) are struggling financially. Despite their age, Park and Jang supplement their very meager incomes by collecting cardboard boxes. Baek sells vegetables on the corner. One day in a kerfuffle over the boxes, the three meet and later share a bowl of homemade soup. Park suggests going to a pork belly BBQ restaurant, his treat. While the food cooks, they can’t move as their eyes take in the largess before them and their mouths drool. As they finally partake of their meal, for the first time in a long time, they are satiated and full. But when the bill comes, Jang tells them he has no money and gives them the strategy to exit without paying. The three bond over their thievery and a friendship blossoms. Unfortunately, the law does not look so kindly on people dining and dashing.

I found this film to be more stressful than any heist story. Devising ways to stay ahead of the waiters giving chase over their food theft made me very uncomfortable. The focus shifted to the thrill they found from their actions rather than actually filling their stomachs. Though Jang of the three needed the meals, he was sharing a carton of milk with his cat on his limited resources. Food scarcity stopped being the motive as the antics continued. The story darkened as the consequences of their actions caught up with them. Yet they never brought up the dire circumstances for seniors when they achieved a level of notoriety.

People and Meat benefited from three veteran actors who knew how to sell their roles. And I loved the friendship that slowly developed through their misdeeds. Friendship made their lonely lives more bearable. However, the film struggled with its identity. Was it an indictment on a failing social safety net? A criticism of sweeping the elderly into the shadows? Or was it a comedic food heist film? It tried to be all three, and while I enjoyed the film, it missed the chance to pack more meaning into the finale. The film is still quite worthy of a try as it does shine a light on a segment of the population that many wish would simply disappear.

“I long to dissolve into laughter
So I dissolve into tears instead
Too fed up with living and dying
Forgetting the azure sky
Wings flutter aground
Heart full of unspoken words
I forget my hunger…
Shall I start a fire to warm my cold heart?”

19 June 2026

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