Reviews

Started watching this first partner after watching the original Kung Fu Cult Master movie starring Jet Li. First thing first, I felt that the synopsis given to this movie was a bit misleading, since this movie didn't quite continue off from the 1993 movie, but a full remake which covered more or less the same amount of plot of the original movie.

While it's understandable that this movie wouldn't quite be an exact remake of the original 1993 movie but still based on the last arc of Jinyong's Legend of the Condor Heroes trilogy, I can't help feeling bothered at how some of the important scenes were completely changed in this one; like the circumstances of Zhang Cuishan's and Yan So-so's death was different and how Mo-Kei's was hurt from the Jinx palm, as well as how Mo-Kei's life had been prior to learning the Great Solar skill and leaving Wudang. Had this movie just mention that this would just be yet another adaptation of the Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre, I probably wouldn't be too harsh on this movie's critique... but since it claimed to be a continuation of the 1993's Kung Fu Cult Master I couldn't help feeling duped somehow. Otherwise you can just enjoy this movie as another adaptation of HSaDS novel.

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If I had known that this movie was based on the last part of Jinyong's Condor trilogy aka Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre story, I would've tried to watch this movie a lot earlier... even more when Jet Li played the lead. Since this part of the tale was the least familiar to me (I'm more familiar with Guo Jing and Yang Guo's stories), I practically running into this pretty blind. Regardless, I enjoyed the story though it did ended in a cliffhanger. Kinda wished that the movie had better reception when it was first released so that we got to see the conclusion of Chang Mo-Kei's story led by Jet Li..

But I guess I had to look for other adaptation of the Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre for that, though this movie would be the only version where I got to see Jet Li playing one of the characters from Jinyong's Legend of Condor Heroes trilogy. Honestly, the moment you realize that this story was a sequel to the other two Condor Heroes stories, you'd finally can understand the conflict between the orthodox and the unorthodox wushu branches, as well as the political situation.

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Scary Religion

This film stands on the shoulders of instant classics like The Wailing and Exhuma as a religion-based horror mystery, but it fails to retain even half of the atmosphere or authenticity those films possess. Their strength lies in how convincing they are—the viewer genuinely believes in the spiritual forces and religious elements—whereas here everything feels superficial. We have a Christian pastor, some kind of private shaman, a Japanese shrine and a Hindu deity/demon named Rakshasa. It’s an intriguing setup, but the film fails in its execution to capitalize on the spiritual heritage it draws from.

The plot progression also feels somewhat fragmented, with scenes jumping from one to another without clear development of events, so for part of the film I was confused: where are we now, how did the characters get here, what does this have to do with the story? Horror fans will at least get a few “gross-out” gore scenes that look creepy and scary, but all in all, in my opinion, this is a below-average horror film.

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Responsibility for a Family

If you don’t have enough drama in your family, go and watch this movie. This is a lovely film even though it portrays various unpleasant aspects of family relationships, but every one of us knows that this is a realistic picture of family life. Because family life is not a fairy tale, and misunderstandings often arise among members, especially between generations. What this film particularly focuses on are secrets—hidden things we try to conceal from those closest to us—but is that even possible? Even if it were possible to hide something, would family relationships then truly be sincere?

The film also touches on other themes, one of the bigger ones being the break with tradition, the role of parents, and more. It approaches all these themes honestly and openly, without concealment or embellishment, and that is why it is also very interesting to watch. A dose of humour certainly helps as well. I like how the characters are distributed, and whenever it seems that the film is revealing the flaws and negative sides of one person, it quickly shows that the other person is not without sin either—and that is why in a family we need to know how to accept responsibility for one another, even in weaknesses and imperfections. Therefore, I consider this an especially instructive and inspiring drama about family life.

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A Bad Boy, A Hidden Past, and an Unexpected Romance

Fall in Love with My Bad Boy was a really enjoyable surprise. It is the kind of movie that doesn’t try to be overly complicated, but instead focuses on an entertaining story, fun chemistry, and a romance that slowly pulls you in.

The story follows a seemingly “bad boy” male lead who at first appears cold, distant, and difficult to understand. However, as the story unfolds, we discover there is much more behind his attitude and the image he presents to the world. Beneath the tough exterior is someone carrying his own struggles and emotions, and watching those layers slowly come away was one of the most enjoyable parts of the movie.

The relationship between the two leads develops in a way that makes their connection feel more meaningful. What begins with misunderstandings and clashes gradually turns into trust, affection, and a bond where they start to see and accept each other for who they truly are.

I really enjoyed the balance between the lighter, entertaining moments and the more emotional parts of the story. It was sweet without becoming too predictable, and the characters’ journey together kept me invested until the end.

Is it a perfect movie? Maybe not — but it delivered exactly what it promised: an enjoyable romance, good entertainment, and a story I would happily watch again.

Sometimes a drama doesn’t need to be complicated to be memorable, and Fall in Love with My Bad Boy is a great example of that.

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Bring back first-generation K-pop spirit.

As someone who grew up listening to first-generation K-pop, this movie was a wonderful dose of nostalgia. The film perfectly captures the era when co-ed groups like Cool and Koyote dominated the music scene. It's hard not to notice the similarities to Koyote, especially with Kang Dong Won's character reminding me of Kim Jong Min, who is still entertaining audiences on variety shows long after his group's peak.

The premise is also a lot of fun. Bringing together forgotten singers from the '90s for a reunion concert immediately reminded me of Infinity Challenge's legendary TOTOGA (Saturday Saturday Is for Singers) project produced by Kim Tae Ho. If you have fond memories of that era, this movie hits all the right nostalgic notes.

One aspect I really appreciated was how honestly the film portrays the reality behind idol groups. It doesn't shy away from the conflicts that can linger even years after a group's disbandment. The story explores the painful reality that every group usually has members who receive all the attention while others are treated as little more than background figures. It also highlights how difficult life can become after disbandment, with some members struggling to build solo careers that never come close to the success they once enjoyed as part of a group. These emotional conflicts feel authentic and add surprising depth beneath the film's lighthearted tone.

What surprised me the most was how much the film feels like an early-2000s Korean movie. Instead of relying on exaggerated action, flashy visuals, or overly complicated storytelling, it keeps things simple and sincere. The humor lands naturally, the emotional moments never feel forced, and the unexpected ending ties everything together in a satisfying way. It reminded me why so many Korean films from that period remain so memorable.

The entire cast delivers excellent performances. Despite sharing the screen with many veteran actors, Park Ji Hyun never feels overshadowed and blends into the ensemble effortlessly. However, the biggest surprise was Kang Dong Won. It's been about 17 years since I last saw him play such a genuinely hilarious character in Jeon Woo Chi, and he clearly hasn't lost his comedic charm. Watching him embrace this kind of role again was one of the highlights of the movie.

I also didn't expect the songs by Triangle and Choi Seong Gon to be this catchy. They genuinely sound like they could have come straight from the '90s, and the retro production adds so much authenticity to the film's atmosphere. The soundtrack alone is enough to put a smile on your face.

This movie is a heartfelt comedy that celebrates first-generation K-pop, friendship, and the passage of time. It isn't trying to reinvent the genre, but it succeeds by reminding us that simple stories, lovable characters, and great music can still create a memorable experience. If you're nostalgic for the golden era of Korean pop culture, this film is absolutely worth watching.

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A queer comedy full of heart in the Korean countryside

I am in Seoul for the next few months for work so alongside trying to learn as much Korean as I can, I want to try and watch more indie Korean films which are difficult to watch in Europe. For this reason, I looked up cinemas which offered English subtitles and saw that the next day, one of them offered a screening of a film I had not heard of, but which sounded exactly like my jam. 이반리 장만옥(Iban-ri Jang Man-ok) or Manok for its international title follows Jang Manok, a middle-aged lesbian, owner of a lesbian bar in Seoul as she decides to move back to the village she grew up in, Iban-ri, after her mother dies and following financial difficulties with her bar. There, she decides to take on her ex-husband who is the current village chief, a dick, and terrible at his job.

The film is inherently queer, not just because of the plethora of queer characters played by queer actors (at least when it comes to the trans characters), but also because of the themes being presented and dealt with. The film opens in a lesbian bar, Manok’s as we can feel the end of an era and the change that society has gone through since Manok opened her bar 20 years prior. Younger queer people have it easier than Manok, they want things to change and they want to create their own ways of doing things and celebrating being queer. On the other side, we have Manok who feels safe in the tradition that they established a couple of decades ago when everything was harder, when you needed to go away from the centre of Seoul to be able to open a lesbian bar, and when going to the big city was the only way to be yourself.

When the film moves to Iban-ri, we are presented with another type of discussion about how to be queer in the 2020s. Manok comes back to the place she grew up, where she was rejected by her mother, and where she fled from a loveless marriage to be openly herself in the big city. Some things have changed and yet, compared to the changes we have seen in the opening scenes in Seoul, much is still the same. That is, for those who stayed, Manok has changed and in her time in Iban-ri, she realises that she can be the one to change things to make it better for the queer people who live there, but also for everyone who feels like they have been left behind, like the elderly inhabitants who live alone with no one to take care of them. And this, really, is the heart of the film. How prejudice can come from all sides, but that it is only through talking with each other, understanding where the other is coming from that we can achieve something for the benefit of everyone.

This story is full of heart, but it is also very funny. The dialogues are funny, there is much situational comedy, and the actors have some great delivery! In her attempt to become the new village chief as she confronts her ex-husband or a transphobic teacher, the film transforms the confrontation into a scene out of a modern western or a rap battle. It is delightful and manages to make scenes which might have been hard to watch into something hilarious where you just want to cheer or watch Manok drop the mic. The homophobes and the transphobes still exist, but as Manok says in the beginning, young people "have it way easier than [she] ever fucking did". What this means is that bullies are nothing new, but her, her partner Geumja, and her friend, Soena know exactly how to deal with them, whether they are teenagers who are repeating what they hear other say, teachers who should be helping kids explore who they are but prefer spewing hate, or fundamentalist queerphobic Christian groups coming to impose their worldview. When watching this film, I got reminded of the film Pride which is a huge compliment in my book. It has some similar discussions while dealing with a different topic and being way more of a comedy than Pride is.
Another point I want to mention is the inclusion of trans people in the film. Soena, Manok’s friend is played by Saekja, a trans artist who has been active on stage for decades and is in her late 60s. I loved Soena, she was always dressed fabulously, even to come to the countryside which is always a good source of comedy, but it is also just how she is. She is a performer whether she is on or off the stage and she refuses to be anyone but herself. She also a delightful no-nonsense character who is done with her friends not talking and will take matter into her own hands if need be. She also, alongside Manok and Geumja, acts as a mentor for Jaeyeong, her ex-husband’s kid who has just decided to cut his hair at the beginning of the film as he tries to affirm his identity in a place where prejudices are still rampant. Sung Jaeyung, a trans man himself, is really good in his role and I was truly rooting for Jaeyeong to find himself, find his community, and be able to blossom. The character was also a good way to show both what life can still be like today in rural areas, but also that hate is not limited to one of the letters of the LGBTQ acronym.

Yang Malbok is great in her role of Manok and I was in from the start. She is not nice, she is not perfect, she is even quite annoying at times, but as she shows again and again throughout the film, she cares. She cares so much and she is always ready to help. I found myself rooting for her, not just because she is the main character in the film, but because you can tell she is doing her utmost for the people around her and it is not just words.

Without going into too much details, I loved the secondary characters in the village, from her childhood friend, her mum and her employee who decide to help Manok with her campaign to become the new village chief (and I could go on about how this is another example of how after trying to do things like they work in Seoul, they realise that they need to use the way things work in Iban-ri if they want to succeed). Her ex-husband is a delightful character, you love to hate him, he is such a tool, a great antagonist for the film. His new wife, while a minor character is also a character I appreciated and I liked to see how she evolved throughout the film. I love the leader of scooter gang of grannies (and I will leave it at that for you to discover when you watch the film). Finally, I liked Geumja, Manok’s partner and how rather than showing us a developing romance, the film shows us how the relationship is after 20 years, why they love each other, but also how communication is always necessary.
The film was a joy to watch. I would absolutely watch it again. I am very glad that the screening I went to had merch you received when buying your ticket and I now have a poster of the film in my bedroom here in Korea and I am very happy about it. I do hope it gets released more widely so others can watch it because it deserves for many people to watch and enjoy it!

Also did I mention that there are drag scenes in the film? Did I mention it was queer and delightful? Pro-tip, stay until the end of the end credits. ;)

P.S.: I also ended up at a screening where the director came to discuss the film and do a Q&A, but my Korean is very limited so I am waiting for a friend to come and translate what was said. When that is done, I think I will come back to add extra info that were provided then.

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Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!" *

The Hill of Secrets was another tender coming of age story by a female director. This time Lee Ji Eun took us back to 1996 as Lee Myeong Eun struggled to understand what family meant and how to traverse class distinctions. Her chosen route of lying led her down a path that became filled with quicksand.

With the new school year starting, everyone in Eun’s class is required to divulge what their parents do for a living . Eun is too embarrassed to say that her parents run a salted fish stall. She thinks up a lie on the spot and declares that her father is a salaryman and her mother is a housewife. Looking for more validation, she ingratiates herself to her teacher and runs for class president which she wins. Her mother tells her to quit as she has neither the time nor money to help her. Eun doggedly keeps the position, creating a secret box where students can write their concerns or suggestions. As the school year progresses, keeping her secret, becomes more daunting. Especially, when a new student, Hye Jin arrives and creates competition for her.

Being twelve-years old as puberty hits is difficult enough. Most kids are embarrassed by their parents but in a class sensitive society, being the child of salted fish dealers took confidence to accept. Something Eun did not possess. Eun’s journey of self-discovery began as she entered several writing contests and had success. She researched her topics rigorously, still navigating the lies she had told. In order to maintain the façade of the “acceptable” middle class family she yearned for, Eun had to go to extreme lengths with the stress building minute by minute. Eun was not alone in the fibbing department. “Everybody lies,” the saying goes. Eun’s uncle lied when he donned a suit to pick her up from school. Her teacher and principal also lied. There were times lies protected others but more often the lies were self-serving.

Writing brought Eun more popularity and more problems. When Hye Jin bested her, she became jealous, lashing out in passive-aggressive ways. Hye Jin’s mother ran a brothel which she didn’t even attempt to hide. Hye Jin and her “sister” did almost no research for their essays, only writing their truth which the judges appreciated. Through Eun's writing and developing friendship with her rival, she began to recognize the costly lies around her and within her. Some of her classroom behaviors driven by jealousy were deceptive and unkind. Her mother’s drive to earn money held secrets Eun had not been privy to. When Eun finally wrote her truth, she discovered it was based on hidden lies, leaving her in a lurch with her family. Regardless of how she felt about them, she wasn’t prepared to unleash public pain and humiliation on them.

While Eun's mother was not the cuddly type, she worked hard to provide for her family and extended family. Her motto to “Take nothing, give nothing,” was born out of too many wounds and losses. One of the saddest moments for me was when the mom was working in her vision journal, posting pictures of the dream house she greatly desired and would likely never afford due to all the hands outstretched to her. As much as I wanted her to hug Eun and praise her successes and hard work, she likely could not give something she’d never been given.

Overall, this slow film was entertaining. My biggest criticism is that it was too long. Grade school coming of age films like kung fu films, should not run longer than 90 minutes. The Hill of Secrets rested firmly on Moon Seung A’s slender shoulders and for the most part she carried the film well. There are times when lies are gentler than the truth. And there are times when a person has to accept who they are and where they are from and own those things. Lee Myeong Eun was not perfect, she was a pre-teen desperately looking for acceptance and belonging with no roadmap of how to achieve either. She lied, she was overly competitive, and increasingly arrogant. Yet she was also sensitive, intelligent, creative, and hard-working. Eun wanted what most people want--to be loved and appreciated. Watching her grow and evolve and gain confidence in who she was, was rewarding.

31 July 2026

* Quote Note: Sir Walter Scott ("Marmion")

School Note: Why would the teachers have the students talk about their parents’ jobs? It was a sure way to set up a pecking order, especially when according to Kdramas and Kfilms, schools are rife with bullying. I was delighted to find that there was no overt bullying in this drama. There was some typical grade school gossiping, but nothing awful. Hye Jin may have had a pessimistic world view, yet by being honest about her life, the students came to accept her which was refreshing. Eun’s jealous overreactions were the closest thing to villainous behavior.

Director Note: I would love to see more women directing in SKorea and in a wider variety of subjects. So many times they are relegated to coming-of-age stories. Same type of problem in my country. : /

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Murder is the solution to all your problems

This was...something. A sci-fi movie so apparently low-budget the practical props look like they raided a cosplay convention, and the CGI - which remember there are weird "sexy snake man" aliens romping around throughout - looks like it came from a late 2000's game's cutscene. The romance is cheesy, and as substantial as a hot air balloon, and he's at least one adulthood ahead of her, which for some reason no one questions, and did I mention it's cheesy and the supporting cast has to half hug them while they first kiss on the floor?

[minor spoilers ahead for various specific things, but since most people could probably guess the end about a third of the way through I don't think that's too heinous]
I'm sorry, I watched a couple of actually good films today, and I wasn't expecting too much going in, but it's just so bad, the more I think about it the worse it gets ^^". The characters are predictable, the plot is predictable, the world setting is flimsy. There's one good scene where the female friend convinces the soyboy to not be a soyboy after all and maybe like her back, and then he actually goes back and acts like a mature friend...that's the only character development we really get though, unless we're counting daddio finding out he's been acting on false information this whole time and switches up his objective from giving his little girl one big happy family again to making her an orphan: nice one dad. I'm not really counting that though, because it's not really like he changed, the facts changed and so his response followed.
There's one friend who just disappears from the face of the earth halfway through; his only role in the movie really is to get slammed into a wall so ML can sub in to his place on the team, but like, they never visit him in hospital or anything. Also, it's never explained why they're breaking into the warehouse at the beginning, like "just cause" I guess - like they nab a headset too and it just never comes up again until they're officially released and the idiot club is like "huh, we've seen these before". It's also mentioned that people are starving in the streets and people literally cannot breathe the air in the city without gas masks and air filters, and we see some girl get hers mugged in the slums and fall down wheezing, like it's bad, so you think the protagonists are gonna be all about it like baby batman club since FL's father is so rich he basically runs the city, but literally all they do is game and hang out at bars while bemoaning the state of the world - like huh?

[kinda big spoilers in this paragraph ig]
The big bad is a big bad because he was mad that his people were dying due to serving as bloodbags for humans, and there's just so much to unpack here because first of all why were the slyth ever giving the humans their blood in the first place, in complete anonymity for literally no reward - actually how were they doing this, because the whole big thing was setting up portals, yet the sylth have apparently been blood donors for thousands of years, to the point they're deified in myth. Second of all, no one, as far as is mentioned, is forcing them to give blood. We don't know why they martyr themselves en-masse for an alien race that doesn't even know they exist, but it does at least seem to be of their own admission, so why is the blame all getting shifted to humans??? And the longer he stays on earth the more he hates humans, that's fair enough, we get you buddy - but in what world is the solution to being enraged by the deaths of your kin dragging them into a war by turning them into target practice? Even if you wanted to start a war, shouldn't it be you and your terrorist buddies picking off humans while pretending to be a vanguard or something? Speaking of which, where did this guy's lackeys even go, because they were definitely mentioned, but the final battle was just him vs everyone, and as soon as he died all their problems just went "poof" - global warming, pollution, all those slyth they massacred...nah we're living in utopia now, and the slyth are giving us more blood than ever?

Every time they mention the slyth my kneejerk impression is the slitheen from doctor who ^^"

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Layers of Truth

A very good crime mystery thriller with all the right ingredients. It features a heavy, burdensome atmosphere, mounting tension, and compelling characters, each carrying a hidden past that gradually shapes the central story. With several twists and multiple layers, the film takes the audience on an engaging journey to uncover the truth behind what happened with the white car —and why.

This is not a blockbuster or a film that aspires to be a masterpiece. Instead, it is a simple yet effective psychological thriller in which the characters and their emotional depth drive the narrative. The cast delivers excellent performances, convincingly portraying their emotions and fully inhabiting their roles. If, like me, you like character-driven thrillers of this kind, you will almost certainly appreciate and enjoy this film.

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Blink and You'll Miss Something?

I’m honestly so shocked this movie barely has any reviews because it was SO GOOD.

From the very first scene, it just pulls you in and never lets go. The pacing is insanely fast, so there’s literally no time to get bored. Every time you think you know what’s coming next, something else happens. I was glued to the screen the whole time.

The main lead was definitely my favorite part. They’re so clever and always one step ahead, which made every scene even more satisfying to watch. I loved seeing how everything played out because they weren't your typical protagonist.

Overall, this is one of those movies that keeps you locked in from beginning to end. I genuinely couldn't take my eyes off the screen, and the two hours flew by without me even realizing it. If you're into fast-paced thrillers with an intelligent lead and constant twists, this is absolutely worth watching.

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