Reviews

Social Commentary during Censorship in the Korean Film Industry

As someone who was not familiar with the Korean political situation in the '70s, I went into this viewing with very little context. I appreciated that even though the two main characters were men, there were still moments showing the women's perspective regarding women being "short-changed" during this time.

The film itself is fast-paced and brings laughs through physical humour and funny interactions. Though there is constant "chaotic energy" coming from the characters' adventures and reinforced by the camera movements and music, Ha Gil-jong ensured there was emphasis on the meaningful moments. This contrast strengthened the impact on the viewer, especially for more poignant moments like the "whale hunting" scene.

Overall, I am happy I watched this film as I enjoyed the soundtrack and it inspired me to look further into the film censorships during this time. This is not a movie I would recommend as a "casual watch", however it is a great film for people who wish to have a better understanding of the effects the military dictatorship had on the Korean youth, and society as a whole.

Rating
Overall: 3.5/5
Quality: 4/5
Enjoyability: 3/5

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Hwang Jungmin So Good I Wanna Fight Him (Respectfully)

BROOO THIS FILM?? ABSOLUTELY INSANE. I had to pause → google → play → pause again just to keep up with the historical tea 💅🏼 Like I needed context cause the drama was DRAMA-ING.

The cast? STAR-STUDDED CHUNGMURO ROYALTY. Every actor came to SLAY and not a single soul missed. HWANG JUNGMIN?? Bro was SO deep in his role I was actually mad at him irl 😭 his acting was so good.

The movie is tight, straight to the point, no filler, no time to breathe — just pure tension and chaos from start to finish. It’s so well-structured that you’re not bored for a second, even when it’s all boardrooms and soldiers.

If you’re into Korean politics, modern history, or you just like slow-burn intensity that EXPLODES — this one’s a MUST. Watch it, scream at the screen, then google everything after like I did.

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A 8/10 HORROR. Is it a real Ghost haunting or just a Trauma induced hallucination?

A Good horror movie with a lot of Suspense and Mystery around every character.
Everything and Everyone in this movie are Mysterious or a Secret, haha.

It's a serious psychological horror.
It's more of Mystery that confuses n scares the viewer than the haunting horror part.

***
Plot is Interesting. It's Well Written and Well Executed.
The viewer remains confused with what is really happening with every character in every scene bcz of the mystery around every character (haha)
That suspense is well maintained.

Every moment throughout the movie, is a mystery that creates the confusion of
Which is true & which is not,
Which is a ghost haunting & which is a trauma induced hallucination,
Who is real human & who is a ghost among them and
finally, does the ghost really exist or no.

This Mystery exists around FL, her kid, the secret the old grandparents were talking about, college gal (babysitter) n her boyfriend, the guy with memory loss who gives strange smiles to the FL, the neighbouring lady and her artist husband.

***
Direction, Acting, Cinematography, Story Narration and Story Progression are Good.
Pacing is little slow, could be better.

The Ghost Haunting Scenes of the haunted portrait and the haunted house are Good (Not very Scary).
BGM for the haunting scenes is good.

***
The last 15 mins of the movie reveal the actual truth of the mystery around every character and gives a complete picture of the stories of all characters, resolving every confusion and every mystery.

The ending gives smooth closure to the story.

***
My Rating is 8 / 10.
(If the Pacing is better, could be 8.5 / 10).

Horror genre lovers will definitely love this!

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JU JIHOON I LOVE YOU SM IT HURTS ?? DANGDUT VIBES BUT MAKE IT SEXY??

YA ALLAH JU JIHOON IS SO FINE I’M CRYINGG 😭😭😭
LIKE??? HE’S DUSTY, SWEATY, RUNNING FOR HIS LIFE AND I’M STILL READY TO PROPOSE 😩💍

Okay okay back to the film — Ransomed is about a diplomat on a wild mission to rescue a senior diplomat (classic IR-core 🔥). The plot honestly starts kinda slow like... lots of “hah? heh? hoh?” confusing convos and I was like bro what’s going on. But after the first hour? BAAAAM. ACTION-PACKED. INTENSE. FULL SEND.

That chasing scene?? I was screaming, shaking, crying. My anxiety said hello. The tension? 100/10.

Also, the dynamic duo of Ha Jungwoo and Ju Jihoon? ELITE. Literally they carried the entire movie on their backs and made it look effortless.

Ha Jungwoo’s acting is top-tier as always — man really said “I’m a whole character arc.”
BUT JU JIHOON??? YA ALLAH. TAKBIR. GANTENGNYA BIKIN IMAN GOYAH 😭✨

If you’re into international relations, diplomacy, politics with ✨chaotic thriller energy✨, this one’s a must-watch. IR students, gather your class and stream this ASAP.

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"You can't break the mirror because you don't like what you see"

Sorrow Even Up in Heaven was based on the diary of a real 11-year-old boy whose family suffered from extreme poverty. The Diary of Yunbogi was also made into a short Japanese film by director Oshima Nagisa. Yun Bok’s story reflected the lives of many vulnerable children at the time who had no adult to rely on and had to fend for themselves in a daily fight for survival.

Yun Bok attempts to attend fourth grade in elementary school when he can though he often shows up late or not at all. His mother abandoned the family and his father is a sickly gambler who assigns Yun Bok the job of primary provider for their family of five. Sister Sun helps Yun Bok sell gum on the street and in the night clubs. Younger brother Yun Sik is forced to beg for food. Fortune smiles on the children when a teacher takes an interest in Yun Bok. After reading Yun Bok’s school diaries detailing his heartbreaking struggles, Mr. Kim becomes determined to have them published.

South Korea had been hit doubly hard, first with Japan’s occupation and exploitation and then the following war that divided their country. While parts of the economy were beginning to move forward with people who had disposable income, there was also a segment of society fighting to score one meager meal a day. Through no fault of his own the survival of Yun Bok’s family rested on his tiny, narrow shoulders. He tried to stay positive and refused to resort to stealing. That didn’t mean people never took advantage of or abused him. Despite setbacks his focus remained on protecting and feeding his siblings.

SEUiH added characters who were extraordinarily selfless and kind and others completely lacking in humanity. The black and white nature of supporting characters overly simplified a complex world. The film excelled when it remembered that Yun Bok carried not only the family but the story. He was a child who missed and resented his mother, loved and despised his father. He couldn’t understand why people who had more than they could eat refused to share with those who had nothing. Even after his book was published which assured the family of food each day, the film made a point of stating that for the many other Yun Boks in Korea, there was no happy ending, no gifted source of income from heaven, only sorrow. Rather there was bone gnawing hunger that too often was ignored. Yun Bok’s story in his diary and subsequent films made from the source material reminds us that the lives behind the masks of poverty are precious and every bit as important and significant as the wealthiest man. The film never shied away from the greed and desperation of people. However, just like Yun Bok’s perseverance and resolve to take care of his family, the film never gave up on him or society as a whole.

22 June 2025
Epilogue note: From what little I could find on the real Lee Yun Bok, the money he made from his diary allowed him to finish school. He was able to go on and work in business and as a salesman. There was a possibility the family knew where Sun was working. The Diary of Yunbogi was the first Korean book published in Japan after the normalization of relations between the two countries. Disappointingly, Yun Bok did not receive royalties from the publications in Japan or their adaptations of it. Lee Yun Bok died in 1990.

Sorrow Even Up in Heaven won the Blue Dragon Award for Best Film in 1965.

The film was considered lost until a copy with Mandarin subtitles was found in Taiwan. The damaged film was restored by the Korean Film Archive though the subtitles remain.

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Cried basically the second half without a stop

What a beautiful movie. I'm writing this review as my tears dry on my cheeks. I felt like this movie especially resonated if you are Southeast Asian. It felt so realistic, the homes so lived in, as if we really were seeing a part of these people's lives and not a film set. The story is heart-wrenching, at some point I'm not even sure anymore why I'm crying, but the tears kept coming. I wasn't sure if I was crying out of sadness or happiness.

The movie shows how, sometimes, it's in the quiet and non obvious ways that we love.
The acting was great, I was really surprised to find out the actress that played the grandma had her acting debut with this movie! Wow.
The music fit so beautifully, it was such a great movie.

I just rated the rewatch value low because this is the kind of movie that will tear you up completely, but you can't really handle watching it more times.

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2035: The Green What?!

The official title of this movie is 2035: The Green Light (2035 더 그린라이트). The film is a hybrid of a “fake documentary” and a sci-fi thriller, set in the year 2035, ten years after the hypothetical unification of Korea. The plot revolves around NXN journalists who are filming a documentary about the mysterious green light that appeared in 2025, and we see everything through their camera.

But I must say, I didn’t really like the movie. The first part was okay and somewhat funny, but the second part was very confusing and exhausting to watch. The two reporters just can’t stop talking—even in situations where their lives might be in danger and they should remain silent, they keep making unnecessary noise. Also, the theme of a unified Korea wasn’t explored at all, so in a sense it felt like a wasted premise. The film also fails to present anything convincingly futuristic from the year 2035; instead, the scenery looks like it’s from 2015.

Anyway, this is a somewhat unique film, and I’m glad I saw it—but I don’t think I’ll be returning to it again.

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A 8.5 / 10 Horror! Ghost Hauntings & Murders, really by Ghost or by Human?

A Very Good horror movie with lots of Twists and Turns.
A Good Mix of Horror + Murder Mystery.

The Story is slowly built and draws the attention of the viewer n keeps interested with its gripping manner of how the horror n mystery unfold, as the story progresses.

***
There is a Mystery around the death of the ghost gal (character Annie) and a Secret hidden within the friends group.

Throughout the movie, every moment, the viewer suspects whether they are just Ghost Murders, Haunting each one of the friends group or
Murders done by any Human in the name of the Ghost, Hunting down each one of them.
This Mystery and Suspense are well maintained.
I even suspected one character (Nana), haha.
So there is a turn in the story from horror to murder mystery n back to horror, in a loop, all the time.

The Plot Twist in the end, about the actual truth of the murders happening in the present day and the actual story that had happened in the past, is a Surprise, Different and Good.
The actual secret revealed in the end, regarding the death of the gal (Annie), is a Surprise and Sad.

***
Direction, Acting, Cinematography, Story Narration and Story Progression are Good.

BGM for Ghost hauntings n Mystery suspense scenes are different and good.
All haunting scenes are interesting and good enough to scare the viewer (Not Very Scary)

Story transition from present to past n past to their childhood and back to present, is smooth.

Plot is Interesting and it is well written n well executed.

All the actors performed well.
All the actresses are pretty :)

The ending is apt to the story.
The climax scene -- FL's evil smirk is ghastly (confirms the presence of the ghost? )

In the end credits scene, it's a creative thought of showing a group picture of all six friends (without the ghost gal), each one of them, blacked in the photo, in the order of their death.

***
My Rating is 8.5 / 10.
Horror genre lovers will definitely love this.

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With You Always

That weirdly conveyed more emotions in eight minutes than I have seen full length series do..

The story is pretty straightforward, it switches narrative between the present and the past and finally back to the present, all in a span of eight minutes. We see the wedding of the leads, Siam and Nawanruk, and a majority of the film is just their first dance. They talk to each other about their love for each other, their marriage and what it means for them going forward while they dance, and the film aptly concludes on what happened after.

It was all quite emotional, I'm not going to spoil anything, but it was emotional. The acting, the way it was filmed, the music, all complemented that feeling of despair and sadness the movie itself portrayed very well, and by the end, I was actually moved to tears.

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A Different Type of BL

Disclaimer: This is a resubmission of my original review to match my current writing style for BL series that were edited into a movie version.

I placed spoilers at the end of this review.

The series/movie: This had a unique and beautiful storyline for a BL. However, you will need to toss all the vampire lore you know out the window and accept this script’s version. For me, this was not a problem and I liked that they didn’t play safe with the usual clichés. The script had some weak elements, but it did not stop me from enjoying it. Without giving to much away, this does not have a happy ending. The CGI, special effects, and cinematography were very good.

The movie: They did a great job editing the episodes into one cohesive movie. The main difference is there were quite a few scene placements rearranged throughout the movie. There were no scenes that were deleted, but had one random scene added towards the end of the movie. This was probably done to add more time because it didn’t enhance the storyline in anyway.

Random Note:

You would be fine watching either version, but I recommend watching the movie version. The editing of the rearranged scenes really helped with the flow of the story.

There is a slight hint of a second season that is most likely never going to happen. I know there is a page for one, but the chances are slim to none.

The description on Viki does not match the actual content of the series/move. However, this is an ongoing problem on Viki.



******Potential Spoiler Alert******

Although this had a sad ending, it made sense to me. Jun Ho loved Min Hyun so much that he didn’t want to risk the possibility of killing Min Hyun.

I admit that it didn’t make sense how Jun Ho was able to kill Min Woo. If Jun Ho was weak and about to dissipate, how did you have the strength to strangle him?

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Did I Watch for the Plot or Ju Jihoon’s Face? Honestly IDK

DUDE THIS MOVIE IS SO DAMN GOOD 😭🔥
This ain’t your usual spy flick with fancy gadgets and boom-boom every 5 minutes. The Spy Gone North is built different — it’s all about strategy, mind games, and how you talk your way into trust. Like, real spy business.

It’s super dialogue-heavy, so yeah, might feel slow for some. But if you're an IR student or into politics (esp Korean politics), this is a MUST-WATCH.

AND JU JIHOON??? HELLOOO?? EVEN LOOKIN STRESSED IN A SUIT HE STILL FINE ASF 😭🔥 I was literally pausing just to scream every time he popped up. Like bro, why you so attractive??

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A Riotous, Campy Ride with a Whole Lotta Heart

🌺 Directed by Fatrick Tabada. Starring Sue Ramirez, Jameson Blake, Martin del Rosario, KaladKaren, and Maxie Andreison.

Let’s get this out the way: Flower Girl is wild. Funny. And actually, kinda profound.

This ain’t your average rom-com. It’s a Filipino fantasy-comedy about a modern woman who loses her vagina—yes, you read that right—after offending a trans babaylan-fairy in a restroom. What follows is a quest for soulmate-level love before a magical flower drops its final petal. Sounds ridiculous? It is. But somehow, it works. And not just for laughs.

Sue Ramirez plays Ena, a confident sanitary pad endorser who suddenly finds herself cursed. Her journey, hilarious and unhinged as it is, forces her to confront what womanhood actually means when it’s no longer tied to biology. That’s where the film shines: it uses absurdity to unpack deep truths about gender, identity, and self-worth.

Ramirez is so in her element. She balances slapstick with sincerity like a pro. She's unfiltered, fearless, and genuinely funny—making Ena both chaotic and relatable. KaladKaren and Drag Race PH Season 3 winner Maxie Andreison absolutely light up the screen, while Martin del Rosario and Jameson Blake bring charm, spice, and surprising heart to their roles.

But beneath all the camp and glitter, there's substance. The script doesn’t preach, but it definitely talks. It takes on casual transphobia, body policing, and the toxic ways we measure womanhood—and it does it with comedy as its tool, not its excuse.

Now, not everything lands. Some jokes go a bit too lowbrow, the pacing dips in the middle, and while the trans themes are strong, they still revolve around Ena’s POV. But the intent is clear: to open conversations, to unlearn harmful ideas, and to give space to the messy, magical, often misunderstood experience of defining oneself on your own terms.

The cinematography? Slick. The energy? Electric. The vibe? Unapologetically queer, Pinoy, and powerful.

What makes Flower Girl special isn’t just its boldness—it’s the way it makes you laugh and think. It asks: "What makes a woman a woman?" But it doesn’t force an answer. It just wants you to ask better questions.

This is not your Tito’s slapstick. It’s fresh. It’s gutsy. It’s a whole damn vibe. And it might just be the most important Filipino rom-com of the year.

Rated R-16. Now showing in cinemas nationwide.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5 – but 10/10 for being a brilliant, campy, heartfelt mess. Go see it. Then take your friends. Then see it again.

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Your Name Engraved Herein” – A Poignant Love Letter to the Past

This film hits deep. Your Name Engraved Herein is not just a love story—it’s a haunting reflection of what it meant to be gay in 1980s Taiwan, a time of social repression, religious guilt, and cultural change. The attention to historical detail is immaculate: from the costumes to the school setting, and even the subtle atmosphere of post-martial law Taiwan—it’s all spot-on and immersive. 🎞️📻🇹🇼

This is my third time watching Edward Chen, and once again, he delivers a stunning, emotional performance. 🥺 His portrayal of Jia Han is raw, vulnerable, and full of inner conflict. The chemistry with Tseng Jing-hua (Birdy) is layered and complex—it’s not just about romantic tension, but also about identity, repression, and loss. 💔

One scene that I wish had been left out is when A-han is comforted by an older man, which suddenly turns into an unwanted sexual advance. That moment felt unnecessary and honestly quite uncomfortable. It pulled me out of the emotional rhythm of the story. 🚫

Still, the film’s strength lies in its bittersweet tone and realism. The final act and the ending really stayed with me—both beautiful and heartbreaking. It doesn’t tie things up in a neat bow, but instead lingers, just like unspoken love often does. 🕊️

If you’re in the mood for something tender, melancholic, and quietly powerful, this is definitely worth watching.

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My JUNE 2025 recommendations challenge

Watch this for my June 2025 recommendations challenge by 𝑵𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆.

This is a story about two friends who fall in love with the same person. Why not women or men? Because this story happens across 2 generations, mother and daughter. In the mother’s story, it’s two men who fall in love with her. In the daughter’s story, she and her best friend fall in love with the same man .

So, let’s dive into the story…

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟏: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬
Dalah meets Kajorn during a vacation at her grandfather’s house. They spend time together, go on adventures and form a friendship. Kajorn falls for Dalah the moment they meet. However, because of their different social statuses, he can’t continue corresponding with her.

Back at school, Kajorn’s friend, Tanil, tells him about a girl his father has set him up withTanil asks Kajorn to help write love letters to this girl. To Kajorn’s surprise, the girl turns out to be Dalah. Recognizing her, Kajorn agrees to help by writing letters to Dalah under Tanil’s name. And so begins the correspondence between Tanil and Dalah.

Later, Tanil invites Kajorn to attend Dalah’s solo concert. Dalah is surprised to see Kajorn in town, and shortly after, Tanil introduces them formally. Kajorn then confesses his true feelings to Dalah, and she admits she feels the same.

Thus begins their secret relationship, hidden from everyone—including Tanil. But things get even more complicated when Tanil, who initially only followed his parents’ wishes, starts developing real feelings for Dalah after getting to know her better.

So now the question is:
> What will happen if Tanil finds out about Kajorn and Dalah’s secret romance? Will he be angry —or will he accept it?
> Will Dalah’s parents accept Kajorn, or will they reject him due to social status?

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟐: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐡
Fast forward to the next generation.

Bota and her best friend Poppy both secretly admire the same man—Non—from afar. Neither of them has the courage to confess their feelings.

One day, Bota stumbles upon her mother’s, Dalah, old love letters and learns about her mother’s past romance. She shares the story with Poppy, who later tells her theater director. Intrigued, the director wants to turn the story into a play—and asks Poppy to help bring it to life. Poppy encourages Bota to write the script based on her mother’s love story. Reluctant at first, because it's her mother's love story but eventually, Bota agrees to write the script. Bota also ends up helping with the theater production as well.

To Bota’s surprise, the lead actor chosen to play Kajorn in the play is none other than Non. During rehearsals, Non starts showing interest in Bota—he talks to her often, tries to get closer, and treats her kindly. Naturally, Bota starts falling for him even more.

While Bota is happy about the attention, she’s also worried. She doesn’t want to ruin her friendship with Poppy—who also seems to be falling for Non during rehearsals.

So what happens in the end?
> Will Bota confess her feelings to Non, or will she step back for Poppy’s sake?
> If Bota and Non end up together, what will happen to her friendship with Poppy?

That's pretty much the story without giving the spoiler. Now what I like and don't.

What I like:
+ A timeless love triangle between friends that’s told through two connected generations.
+ The drama doesn’t rely heavily on jealousy or over-the-top conflict to move the plot. It keeps things subtle and emotional.

What I don’t too like:
The movie can feel a bit slow at times. But since it’s a movie and not a long drama, it doesn’t drag on too long.

Overall, it’s quite a good movie. If you're in the mood for a light romance with a classic love triangle—minus the excessive melodrama—this movie might be just what you're looking for. It’s perfect for anyone who enjoys gentle romantic conflicts without too much unnecessary drama.

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