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A origin perseverance film with alot of HEART
I went in with this movie because of Wi Ha Joon, he is one of my favorite actors and I have a huge crush on him. I had expectations that his movie will be a gritty story about prison and school violence based on the posters and I didn't read any spoilers as well but I was pleasantly surprised to see that this movie was more heartwarming and inspiring. The whole message of the movie is quite simple, "Do not give up, fight harder day by day." and they clearly sent that message across. The plot was nothing new nor fresh but it was enjoyable. The main character, Cha Woo Sol played magnificently by Kim Min Seok was a believable sympathetic character and his character growth was great. Wi Ha Joon as Jung Do Hyun, was a great mentor he didn't appear as much as I hope would've been but he was the main heart of this film especially to the main protagonist. The antagonist Seok Chan was played greatly by Jung Won Chang, even though his whole character arc was just ok, I needed more layers to his character. The other side characters, Sang Yeop (The mature captain) and Ahn Hyun Min were likable but I needed more of them though. The action sequences were well choreographed and the pacing was fast and exciting. I felt like this was an origin film, and based on the comments I red down below there is an upcoming TV series sequel to this, if it ever happens this movie is a great introductory to the characters and story so that the TV series could expand more. Also, the ending cracked me up.Was this review helpful to you?
It's based purely on cinematography. The colors and locations are beautiful.
They give a synopsis of what the movie will be about but it doesn't seem like they stick to the plot. Mainly because of all the long pauses, ambient sounds and little to no dialogue. At some points I thought the movie froze because of the long pauses.
I'm not sure why they even called this movie The Assassin because there's hardly no fighting scenes! I mean a woman assassin and this is all we get??
Alas I digress. I couldn't take this movie anymore.
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This review may contain spoilers
" I'm Sorry; I Tried But I Cannot Do Any Better. I Thought That I Was Stronger Than This."
Literal translation of title: 'That Bizarre Girl'Part of the "My Sassy Girl Trilogy" by Kwak Jae Yong
This is the first movie of the "My Sassy Girl Trilogy" by director/screenwriter Kwak Jae Young.
The second is the film "Windstruck (2004)".
The third is the Japanese film "Cyborg She (2008)".
They are unrelated except for having a 'sassy girl' theme
Kwak Jae Yong served as screenwriter & director for all three above films.
Windstruck (2004) also stars Jun Ji Hyun, with a guest appearance by Cha Tae Hyun (this film's Gyun Woo).
I usually don't read other people's reviews, but I saw several 'low' scores here, so I thought I would address them; also, I was trying to get away from giving you an overview of the movie, but I have to do it this time in order to explain the young "Girl's" actions!
This movie is not about the "Sassy Girl"! It is about a young man, Gyon Woo, finally finding 'someone' to him to care enough about that he gets his crap together - and matures into a man!
Gyun Woo (Cha Tae Hyun) says that he was 'raised' by his mother as a girl"; this, I feel, has an effect on his dating girls in high school and now in college, where he is when this movie starts. He is having his picture taken in the second scene, but he really is stalling so that he won't have to go visit his aunt, who has a beautiful girl to introduce him to!
(He will meet her finally, but only at the end of the movie!)
He meets a young girl, (who I realized about the third time I watched this movie that the director gave no name to her, just 'The Girl', played by Jun Ji Hyun) on a subway in a large Korean city. First, he saves her from being hit by the subway and then took care of her as he was mistaken to be her boyfriend after she passes out drunk on the subway.
What most people FORGET, although it is mentioned later in the movie, she is celebrating the 1-year 'Death Day' of her late boyfriend, he dies the same day one year earlier before she meets Gyon Woo on the subway! Her ex-boyfriend who is still inside her and his memory keeps her from trying to date other men.
They also met on the subway as well, the way The Girl and Gyon Woo did.
Most of what happens revolves around this unseen boyfriend of The Girl that you never see, except his hand: The Girl is desperately trying to see her late boyfriend in Gyon Woo; however, she is slowly but surely falling in love with him!
That is why:
* She gets drunk because her late boyfriend is still in her mind and she cannot forget him
* She won't let Gyon Woo order soda when together, because that is what her late boyfriend used to order
* She pushes Gyon Woo into the lake, then jumps in to save him [a scene with the mother of her dead boyfriend (Yang Geum
Suk) and her are shown on the banks of a body of water; many feel her son/The Girl's late boyfriend drowned] The Girl is
actually 'saving' her boyfriend in her mind, warped by his death!
* Gyon Woo gives her his handkerchief to wipe her nose; her dead boyfriend had a handkerchief of the same design
* She wants to be with him, but she cannot shake her dead boyfriend's memory
* She keeps putting off seeing her old boyfriend's mother, who wants to introduce her to a new guy she thinks The Girl might
like
* She keeps telling him, "Wanna Die", when she wants him to do something with her and he gives a wrong answer.
* She beats him up when he does wrong: her late boyfriend would not approve!
* She can only 'let go' of her late boyfriend, after she thinks that Gyon Woo replanted the Wish Tree where they buried the
time capsule near the end: she finally realizes how much they care for each other!
* After 'letting go' The Girl finally throws the necklace the late boyfriend gave to her into a body of water, representing that
she finally released him (again, many think he drowned) and his memory!
* She goes to Europe for a year and a half since she couldn't find Gyon Woo again.
* Gyon Woo's mother actually thinks that she went to Europe to forget her late son, not Gyon Woo!
In case you haven't figured it out yet, The Girl's late boyfriend's mother (played by Yang Geum Suk) is Gyon Woo's aunt, and she tried for SEVERAL YEARS to introduce the two of them to no avail! The aunt has no idea that The Girl has been seeing her nephew, Gyon Woo, over the years since her son died.
On her first 'blind' date after her father told Gyon Woo not to see his daughter again, The Girl calls Gyon Woo; Gyon Woo
then gives this advice to the blind date (played by actor Im Ho) and then leaves...
Don't ask her to be feminine...
Don't let her drink over 3 glasses of soju...she'll beat someone.
At a café, instead of coke or juice, order a coffee...
If she hits you, act like it hurts...if it hurts, act like it doesn't.
Surprise her with a rose on the 100th day anniversary...in class.
Make sure you learn Kendo and Squash,..
Be prepared to go to jail sometimes...
Is she says she'll kill you, don't take it likely...
If her feet hurt, exchange shoes (with her)...
She likes to write (screenplays), encourage her.
Eggs: This movie is loaded with EGGS, fortunately not the kind that turn bad!
The man who The Girl throws up on in the subway in the beginning of the film is the man underneath the tree when The Girl goes to find Gyon Woo.
I love this movie! It was one of the first movies that I saw and became a huge Asian movie fan!
I love the main cast members who I had seen in other movies before this one. I came across Jun Ji Hyun in White Valentine (1999) in an English version and then saw her in Il Mare (2000), both excellent movies!
I saw Cha Tae Hyun in Sad Movie (2005) and the classic, Lover's Concerto (2002) before seeing him here. He also does an excellent job in the sad movie BABO (2008)!
They both gave excellent performances here and their chemistry was amazing!
The support cast also did an excellent job here; with a special kudos to The Girl's father (Han Jin Hee) and the hilarious performance in his scenes, and Gyun Woo's mother (Song Ok Sook), and her hilarious performance as well!
Just between us, there is going to be a remake, and we will find out that Gyun Woo and The Girl were switched at birth; the Girl has the genes of Gyun Woo's mother in her! (Just kidding!)
The music and cinematography were excellent and deserving of this movie being rated as high as it is!
After this movie came out, EVERY Korean girl wanted to be "The Girl', according to my friends in Korea. It has been copied in several countries but this one is still the best!
Many who gave this movie a bad rating did not take the time to see WHY The Girl acted the way she did!
The New Sassy Girl (2016) was attempted, but it only starred Cha Tae Hyun but not Jun Ji Hyun: need to say, it flopped!
Be the way, the UFO is from timepoint 1:15:57 to 1:16:02; blink and you will miss it!
RE-WATCH VALUE: All the time!
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Rai in his timeline lived like a side character under the shadow of his talented younger sibling. The frustration from his incompetence was eating away Rai until he teleported into the Heian Era or more specifically in the story of Genji. A not so uncommon build-up, true. But the filmmaker took the opportunity here to throw us into the Genji tale from a different side. Rai starts living in this time period as Raimei, a seer for Kokiden Nyogo, the first wife of emperor Kiritsubo. In Genji Monogatari, Kokiden is portrayed as a villainous woman, who plots against Genji to ensure his own son Suzaku gets the throne. With our main character Raimei by her side, the movie shows a different side of Kokiden. A mother and a woman with strong conviction and love for her son. Her characteristics rub off on Rai and we see some character development. It's alright to be not the chosen one but possible to This is what impressed me most about the movie.
I don't have much to say about the acting of the casts because I can't tell the difference between bad or good acting unless they are too obvious.
For whatever reason, the comedy tag is in this movie. there wasn't much comedy and one shouldn't expect one since the original Genji Monogatari is rather dark, full of complex love, hate, taboo relationship, and tragedy. There are a couple of Genji Monogatari movies, and my suggestion will be to watch one first.
*btw, the song Raimei was singing to Rinko at 65 minutes, is "Cherry(チェリー)" by Spitz's(スピッツ). Just saying, because they're my favorite band.
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Tissues needed
Storyline was so incredible. Bringing the sadness of life into the cinema but also creating a space within the young to endure it was well thought out and well done.Acting and cast were incredible.
Music nicely done.
The cinematography in this film is amazingly outstanding at the end and during the paragliding scenes. Loved this film. Very sad but beautiful. The actors did an amazing job with bringing the story across and even better at bringing the characters to life. Definitely a must watch but have your tissues on hand, you’ll need them for sure.
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This review may contain spoilers
Made me cry 8 years ago, could definitely make me cry again
That's pretty much it, this is one of the sweetest movies I've ever seen and by the end of it I was sobbing in the theater. (Possible spoiler alert) throughout the duration of the movie, you are made painfully aware that the ending is a very real possibility, but the emotional weight of everything clocks you square in the face regardless. As an added bonus, I watched this one with my Grandma. Absolutely beautiful film, and a wonderful look into love, connection, and time. Would recommend for masochists and people who enjoy Thai Life Insurance commercials.Was this review helpful to you?
no words, only that this is a masterpiece
i went in worrying that the acting would be shitty because that was the case for all the chinese films i'd watched in the past. i was so wrong, this is some of the best acting i've ever seen, ESPECIALLY THE CRYING SCENES!! even from a technical standpoint, i can't think of a single thing the creators did wrong with this film. the camera work, the music, the acting, the plot, the development, the pacing, everything was so well done.this is gonna be a really hard film to replace for me. it's one of those movies that take a piece of your heart when it finishes. there's so much to be interested in with this film, it's the perfect balance of so many elements i couldn't even name! this movie left me attached to not only the characters, but their actors as well. the next few movies i watch are solely going to be with Jackson Yee and Zhou Dong Yu. i'm lucky if i get to see them in a film together again because their chemistry was fking insane
it's hard to convince a lot of people to take the time out of their day simply to watch a movie, so do what you will with this! but i highly recommend this to literally everyone because even if you don't like romances or sad stories, this film is a whole lot more than just a couple tags and genres.
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I'm Literally Begging For More (Please!)
This right here was the explicit ace and poly representation that we deserve! Asexuality, libido, polyamory, jealousy and more relevant topics and terms were explicitly brought up and discussed - but in an organic, conversational way that we've all actually done irl. And the fact that we didn't just have the one token asexual, but also had his close friend and her off-screen fiance both as asexuals too! It made me so happy. It was also discussed about how asexuals differ in their acceptance of sexual activities, and that the lack of attraction was not the only reason for our main character's reluctance.The film didn't end with Minho getting "fixed." And despite initial tension and lack of understanding about asexuality, we did see why Minho is in love with both of his partners and saw them both willing to take things at Minho's pace and keep him involved in other ways. We also saw the different dynamics, contributions, and interests between all members of the throuple and how they have effective verbal and silent communication between all of them.
Also, I'm in love with Minho's smile. It's so contagious. All the actors did a great job portraying their characters. However, there was a lack of chemistry in my opinion (but that might simply be because of the short length of the film). I would love to see these topics and their relationship development hashed out in a larger project. I actually low-key need it.
I didn't really notice the music much, so I can't really speak to that.
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i was 12 when i first watch this (which is basically 10 years agoㅠㅠ) and i don't remember it was this hilariousI love every single second of this movie
but that lakorn sequence have a special place in my heart. i remember the times when dramas were done in that simple kind of format
the chemistry of the leads were really cute. there's a 3rd person, but she doesn't bother for too long
the acting was okay. i don't notice any music except the one FL used in her messages and the ones in outro. however both are good enough.
frankly, this movie doesn't have anything so special. for some people it's just another romcom movie, maybe it's a little bit boring (the length is 2 hours)
However this fits my taste and i love it, despite the plot holes and silly logics.
If you could handle silly logics and want some simple/comedic watch. I'd recommend you this
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A heartwarming story beyond my expectation
It was fun until the first half of the movie where it gets a little bit boring because the story is too dramatized for me, it seems like it's a 10 episodes of drama made into a 2hrs movie. But towards the end, with all the revelations and the acting skills shown by the casts, it made me teary-eyed. At one point, I kinda knew that something was going on with Tanaka Riko's health and the movie didn't really show enough content about it. The reason why she really wanted to take care of Yuko is because she couldn't have a child of her own, and it was only explained briefly towards the end of the movie. After all, the spotlight is not on Riko but it's on Yuko. But I really enjoyed watching it. It's a heartwarming story about family that I would recommend to everyone who likes this type of story.Ishihara Satomi's motherly expressions are on point. Supported with the other casts with brilliant acting too. Kudos to the production team!!
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Great acting from the casts
I was going to rate 8/10 while watching this movie, but after it reached the end of the story, I changed my mind and give this movie a 9/10. Brilliant acting from the casts. The story was great but the flow wasn't too smooth, sometimes it got too dragging it makes me sleepy during the movie. But overall, it was a nice movie with a nice story plot. Recommended for those who's interested in human-drama type of movies.Sato Takeru, Abe Hiroshi and Kiyohara Kaya delivers the most in this movie. Eita was great too, but his screen time is not too long. I didn't expect the plot twist at the end! Really enjoyed this movie.
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Fun and Disfunctional
This movie is hilarious, but unfortunately it is lacking when it comes to story and pacing. Comedy is great, but a movie is still a movie. And, although I enjoyed many parts of it, I often found myself confused, whiplashed, or struggling to keep up with what was going on.From the beginning, you're thrown into a scene which is completely bewildering, covering a showdown of inscrutable stakes and between unknown characters. In fact, despite the relatively high pace of the movie, it is quite some time before the second main character and main setting are introduced. In a movie with non-stop action, conflict, or comedy gags, it can be hard to follow along, and many things which the audience should have been told about are not revealed until much later on.
To me, this is like the embodiment of internet humor in film. Random humor, visual gags, and subverting expectation are used ad nauseum, which does provide a frankly hilarious show, but unfortunately comes at the detriment of the story.
Now, this review sounds quite negative, but I must say that I did enjoy the show. To enjoy it, you just have to accept it for its flaws and be aware going in that they tried to cram a whole season of a show into a single movie. As a result, it moves a lightspeed, but it's still pretty darn funny. So, provided you're here for comedy and not story, I recommend this show. And, if it's not funny enough or you do want story, just watch Gintama or something, I don't know.
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- Warning! little bit of tmi-when i watch this as a 12 year old, i laugh a lot and it inspires me to become an entrepreneur. so i start out by doing my classmates homework, i got paid of course. i made a good money. but then i watch twilight. so i throw the entrepreneur dream away and study on 'how to become a vampire'
now that I'm 20, i feel like i could relate to the main character, even tho i no longer dream to become an entrepreneur or vampire.
also i notice how the uncle play a big part on ML's career. from lending his bank account to accompanying him until he succeeded.
the most memorable part would be when ML got 'scam' with the dvd player. (well i know it's mostly because he was still immature and didn't do much research) that feel of betrayal was real ㅠㅠ
"welcome to the real world.
when you lose, you can lose everything.
even adults can barely survive.
kids are no exceptions to this reality."
those words hits hard
yet now I'm still laying in my bed scrolling through memes
overall it's a great movie! 👍
acting of the actors were great, outro song was really good
10/10 would recommend
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“No, we are not {human). Even if we look like human, we are not treated as human.”
Ok Nyo: ”I am human..so are you!”Mother: “No, we are not. Even if we look like human, we are not treated as human.”
Why is the first 55 minutes of this movie on DramaThis, yet the last 38 minutes on MyAsianTV?
A melodramatic movie set during the Joseon Dynasty in Korea showing the inhumane treatment of the young, virgin surrogate mother Ok-nyeo (Kang Soo Yeon) by a system which values male “heirs” over female, and a culture steeped with so much “wives tales, useless pomp and circumstance, and ritual”…most of the which is useless for anything except keeping all, rich and poor, in their proper place in this, and other, society.
Most of the movie was on Ok-nyeo and her being in complete solitude between visits by the young Master, and no Internet in those days to play on while in solitude!
I loved the music, scenery, cinematography, and costumes of the period; I also appreciate the director allowing the young girl the chance to be ‘consoled’ by the young Master more often than the Matriarch and the house staff would allow.
I dislike the lack of emotion and feeling that prevailed in everyone, save for the Master and surrogate woman. It seems that 'emotion' was set aside for women during this time period; however, the young Master also seemed to have no one worrying about his emotions as well! As I have studied religion and myth for years, this is typical not only for Korea but for most cultures before the modern era.
I loved the ceremony just before the birth, where all the poor community were enjoying themselves.
Everyone, except the Master and the young surrogate, treated her surrogacy as nothing more than a business contract, allowing very little ‘humanity’ in this movie.
The director showed the attempt society has always had for emotional contact between humans of different social classes; that is why media (printed, audio and visual arts) is full of successful movies and stories of a man and a woman from different social-economic classes falling in love and successfully ‘beating the system’.
I enjoy being able to see a microcosm of traditional societies in movie form, such as this movie.
This is a service both for those wishing to be entertained and for those who want to see a slice of life in bygone eras, which isn’t that much different than a slice of life if taken from any society today!
The system of separation even extends to the ‘raising’ of of rich people's children: Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was raised by servants but not her parents (as she allowed the same for her children as well); she was cold and removed from her children as Queen Victoria, Elizabeth II and most of the other elite members of out society, those who control the rest of us!
What was revealed later in the movie is that Ok-nyeo's mother was also a surrogate until she, a female, was born accidentally.
What is sad it that much of the poor also believe that tradition and useless ritual is necessary in order for society to continue: it is, is you want to continue the separation of people as this movie shows.
I would recommend this for anyone who wishes to watch a great movie,or anyone interested in the movies of Kang Soo-youn or interested in Korean movies in general.
What is sad is that I watched this great movie on the same day actress Kang Soo-youn died in Korea…she was scheduled to film the movie “Jung_E” during the last part of this year (2022)
My kudos to this great movie and condolences for her, her family and all the friends of Korean films!
https://news.yahoo.com/veteran-actor-kang-soo-youn-175505996.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall
RE-WATCH VALUE: Definitely!
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Before the United States sent men to the moon South Korea had a futuristic space program...and...a giant fire breathing lizard visiting from out of town.Prior to becoming a tv and film grandpa, Lee Soon Jae was an astronaut and pilot trying to celebrate his wedding night. Instead of celebrating he was called into action to observe from space an earthquake moving in a straight line toward Seoul.
Ill Woo, a young overworked scientist, tracked the phenomenon from the ground. Low and behold up popped from the ground Yongary, hungry and tearing through town looking for something to eat.
The requisite politicians and military took charge and performed all the tried-and-true tactics against a Kaiju, starting with tanks. This is where Korea broke with Japan when the tank commander didn't take long to call for a retreat. Anyone who watches these movies knows that the poor tank guys don't have a long life span when battling giant monsters. A helicopter managed to make it through, too. They also sent a plethora of missiles to pelt the beast, against Ill Woo's recommendation, which only served to strengthen the monster.
This is where I should mention the one thing I disliked about this movie. Yongary had one of the most annoying kids in monster movies, almost tying a couple of early Gamera flicks. The eight-year-old Icho delighted in pulling pranks such as using a beam his uncle invented which caused people to itch, like the poor honeymooners, and often disappearing from his older sister's care to follow Yongary around. And of course, the young scientific genius figured out what needed to be done to stop the behemoth. Ill Woo might have done the heavy lifting constructing the deadly weapon but he couldn't have done it without his plucky irritating sidekick. This was one of those movies I was rooting for the monster to eat the child.
Yongary's costume was almost on par with Godzilla's from this era, the flame nozzle in Y's mouth was quite visible, but in a rubber suit, I'm not sure how they would have worked around it. And Yongary danced, the actor inside of the suit was quite agile for all he was required to do. South Korea must have sunk some money into this movie because overall the miniatures were quite good. Not to say they were all well-constructed, one canvas backdrop of the city looked like they should have ironed it before filming. A tank that was set on fire had it's wiring showing beneath it. Oh, and the moon looked like a Death Star prototype. But other than those few quibbles, the miniatures, forced perspective, sets and overlay were pleasing and well done.
Aside from the overly precocious child, the human stories were slightly above par for an old Kaiju movie and the acting passable. The Koreans brought a more emotional element to the genre. There was no moral to the story except sometimes you have to do things you don't like to do to survive.
Yongary was a fun monster romp, with lots of monster action. Toho could be stingy with Godzilla's scenes, this movie let the monster stomp, burn, laser and dance his way through South Korea before being brought low. A word of caution, the ending was a bit gruesome for the time period. Yongary was better than Son of Godzilla that came out in the same year, not saying much I know. I would have rated this slightly higher except for Yongary's diminutive fan who seemed to pop up in nearly every scene. If you enjoy giant monster movies from this time period and all the camp and tiny planes that entails, you might want to try this one.
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