Probably Devil because the story was more poignant and to the point. Old Boy has all kinds of weird twists and turns but that's what makes it unique & enjoyable for most people. I would say I Saw the Devil definitely engage your emotions a lot more than Old Boy because LBH is such an intensely emotive actor whilst Choi Min-sik is more of an action hero in OB. Even though their characters have the same motive for revenge, Devil packs the bigger punch in my opinion.
I'm probably not helping you much in deciding, but if you're wondering if you should watch it, you should, if only to say you did. It's a cult classic.
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OnDeprecated profile comment•May 1, 2013
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Hard to say, really. It's one of those situations where I enjoyed both movies equally, but for different reasons. They're both suspense thrillers that will keep you guessing about what's really going on. I'd say Addicted had a more straightforward plot, while Secret Love was trying too hard to be intelligent. I think I'm gonna write a review for Secret Love.
Re: Old Boy, I watched it back in 2004 when it was first released to Western audiences and I'm re-watching it now. I remember it as a weird revenge movie that's a little boring in parts, but overall I liked it. It's reminiscent, in tone & style though not pace, of a Quentin Tarantino film, Korean style.
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OnDeprecated profile comment•Apr 30, 2013
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No, no, I've already seen A Bittersweet Life. I'm just re-watching it. Yes, I remember Failan ... I will watch it someday soon. Haven't forgotten, and Love Letter I started & am almost done with. Up to the point where I watched I really like it. As you warned, though, it's a veeerrry slow movie so I needed to take a little break from it.
Sure, I could easily go on your profile & pick at random from your list, but the point is you rec'ing something & telling me why it's good is far better. Anyway, no worries, though, mate! Go pass those exams! :-)
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OnDeprecated profile comment•Apr 30, 2013
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So you're the new comedy king of MDL, are you? :) You seem to be in the mood for a lot of dramas of late too, not much movies. Your slump really messed up your mojo didn't it?
Well, I'm glad Realms and other things managed to get you out of it.
I have one complaint though. What's up with the lack of recs lately, dude? You used to share your recs with me. I know I've been going through a romance phaze for the last few months & I'm picky as heck, but I DO like other genres as you well know. Hello, Confessions?
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OnDeprecated profile comment•Apr 29, 2013
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I'm starting to think comedy is your new fav genre. It's all you seem to watch these days! Not that there's anything wrong with that. :)But where's my romance, action, pyschological thriller loving Mr. Knight gone to? And have you watched Realms yet? Looking forward to your thoughts. Winnie & I had a great time discussing it.
Worst hairstyles ever: the #1 reason I will not be watching Full House, Take 2.
Cute guy though. I might check him out in Gumiho or any movies he might have done.
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OnDeprecated profile comment•Apr 28, 2013
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Just read your review of Reply 1997 & I understand how you feel. I almost dropped it after the first 5 eps too. I found the lead female, the flashbacks and the extreme fangirling annoying ... but I was urged to continue watching by friends & in the end I'm glad I did. When the characters graduated high school the story became far more interesting. The fangirl overkill settled down. It's definitely a show that takes time to grow on you. By the time I got to end I was pleasantly surprised how much I ended up liking it despite my earlier feelings. So if you can bear to give it another chance, you should, maybe it might surprise you too. If not, there are plenty more dramas out there for you to enjoy! :D
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OnDeprecated profile comment•Apr 28, 2013
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Thanks for the rec. Does Postman to Heaven have a happy ending? It doesn't really matter anymore since I've come to accept (grudgingly) that happy endings are the exception rather than the rule in Asian cinema. Nevertheless, it's nice to stumble upon them whenever they do turn up.
Always, I've seen & loved. It was one of my first movies upon discovering this site. If you can remember anymore, please let me know! :-)
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OnDeprecated profile comment•Apr 26, 2013
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Haha ... ok, I just read your response to my post (or maybe it was everyone's?) on the feeds & it made me LOL. Did you really actually dream about Kimmy??? ROFL!!! :-) Anyway, I figured it was something light-hearted, that's why I mentioned the quote from Reply 1997 (have you seen it? If not, you should. Cute little drama! And the line said by the hero to the heroine was said in a very cute, tongue-in-cheek sort of way, not in a serious way like you may have interpreted it). Moreover, since you're such an epic fangirl of Kimmy to actually dream about him next to your hubs, then I'm sure you'll be able to relate to the heroine! :-)
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OnDeprecated profile comment•Apr 26, 2013
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I didn't read the spoiler, but wow ... now I'm really intrigued. I didn't expect it to be that big of a deal to the plot. I thought it was some universal taboo like incest or something like that. Maybe it is! LOL ... since I didn't read the spoiler I won't know. Please edit your post on my wall & remove the spoiler. I don't mind stumbling upon it, but others might not be so appreciative, esp since it's not behind the protective barrier of the spoiler button.
And yes! Please recommend those dramatic, romantic films you know of! Are they happy ending? Can never get enough of those. Hopefully they will not be ones I've already seen! :-)
How are things with the hubs? You got some good advice on the feeds. Did any of them work?
Haha, this article had me laughing my behind off. I've seen some dubious dressing in dramaland, especially among men! Gotta wonder what these stylists are smoking when they dress guys up in these hairstyles & outfits. I remember when I first saw Kim Jæ Wook in Coffee Prince. Had to smfh at his weird sense of style & all the eyeliner he had on his eye. #epicfail
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OnDeprecated profile comment•Apr 25, 2013
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No, I haven't seen One Million Stars yet, but why is this drama so controversial? Does something taboo happen in it? If so, what? Do tell. I've watched a couple Japanese romance tv series that I really enjoyed. To me they're more mature and more realistically paced/portrayed than Korean tv series which are romance. I especially like that the Japanese doesn't seem hung up on acknowledging the characters' sexuality like some K-productions are wont to do. I also love genre combinations. All the ones you listed are right up my alley as well, but unlike you I don't mind dramatic romances ... if they're done well. Sadly the vast majority of dramatic romances I've seen in East Asian cinema are tragedies. I mean I don't mind tragedies once in a while, but I'm disappointed that I can't watch an Asian romantic drama film, that ISN'T a rom-com, and expect a happy ending.
Very interesting article. I enjoyed reading it :) The term 'Flowerboy' is fairly new to me as I have only encountered…
Here in Scandinavia there are more flower boys than real masculine looking men. I was very disappointed when I first moved here & that's why I had to import my Yobo. I think flower boys are taking over the West too. For me, its very sad. Nothing's wrong with a man looking like a man...
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OnDeprecated profile comment•Apr 24, 2013
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I look forward to reading it! :)
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OnDeprecated profile comment•Apr 23, 2013
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Really? Actually now that you mention it it sounds plausible based on the little that I know about Japanese culture. It's hard for me to imagine any woman waiting around for a guy who doesn't get in touch for 2 whole yrs, but I have heard that saving face is a HUGE part of East Asian culture. Being a Hong Kong native would you say this is true for where you're from too?
Even though I'm eager to visit Korea and immerse myself in their culture I'm scared at the same time because I'm so straightforward, sometimes blunt even, that I fear I might offend people without realizing or intending to. I'm not socially or culturally unintelligent, but the importance of face saving has been stressed to me so many times by so many different people I guess I'm suffering from premature stage fright.
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OnDeprecated profile comment•Apr 23, 2013
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Actually I think she knew the relationship with the no-good boyfriend was over, but she was in denial. Two years with no contact ... she knew. Poor thing. Halu is the typical bad boy we women love, but who gives us the most grief. We have to work so hard to get them to where we want them to be. In a way I'm glad Aki controlled the relationship in the way she did. Halu wanted her to chase after him, but she insisted he come to her on her terms.
Anyway, nice discussing this with you. Wish you had seen it at the same time I did. Everyone who saw it around the same time as me was just hating on Aki, but I think her behaviour was very realistic and sensible. Oh, I didn't have the luxury of knowing it would end happily like you did so I was pretty worried while watching. Once I knew they would be together in the end, I could watch it again and really live in Aki's shoes.
I'm from Asian country, and I prefer masculine look all the way.. (sigh, sometimes people forget Asia is not only…
'Masculine look outside, gentle heart inside.'
Well said. I don't like the assumption that only so-called 'flower boys' or wimpy looking men can be gentle and sensitive. I think we women have a lot more power to influence (notice I didn't use the word change) men's behaviour toward us than we realize. My oppa is quite masculine in both looks & behaviour. I feel very safe walking beside him at night! But he's the gentlest soul there is, and he treats me very well. There is no way in heaven I would trade him for a man who has all the same great traits, but looks like a flower boy. No way, Jose. I like the contrast of male & female too much! :)
I'm probably not helping you much in deciding, but if you're wondering if you should watch it, you should, if only to say you did. It's a cult classic.
Re: Old Boy, I watched it back in 2004 when it was first released to Western audiences and I'm re-watching it now. I remember it as a weird revenge movie that's a little boring in parts, but overall I liked it. It's reminiscent, in tone & style though not pace, of a Quentin Tarantino film, Korean style.
Sure, I could easily go on your profile & pick at random from your list, but the point is you rec'ing something & telling me why it's good is far better. Anyway, no worries, though, mate! Go pass those exams! :-)
Well, I'm glad Realms and other things managed to get you out of it.
I have one complaint though. What's up with the lack of recs lately, dude? You used to share your recs with me. I know I've been going through a romance phaze for the last few months & I'm picky as heck, but I DO like other genres as you well know. Hello, Confessions?
Cute guy though. I might check him out in Gumiho or any movies he might have done.
Always, I've seen & loved. It was one of my first movies upon discovering this site. If you can remember anymore, please let me know! :-)
And yes! Please recommend those dramatic, romantic films you know of! Are they happy ending? Can never get enough of those. Hopefully they will not be ones I've already seen! :-)
How are things with the hubs? You got some good advice on the feeds. Did any of them work?
Even though I'm eager to visit Korea and immerse myself in their culture I'm scared at the same time because I'm so straightforward, sometimes blunt even, that I fear I might offend people without realizing or intending to. I'm not socially or culturally unintelligent, but the importance of face saving has been stressed to me so many times by so many different people I guess I'm suffering from premature stage fright.
Anyway, nice discussing this with you. Wish you had seen it at the same time I did. Everyone who saw it around the same time as me was just hating on Aki, but I think her behaviour was very realistic and sensible. Oh, I didn't have the luxury of knowing it would end happily like you did so I was pretty worried while watching. Once I knew they would be together in the end, I could watch it again and really live in Aki's shoes.
Well said. I don't like the assumption that only so-called 'flower boys' or wimpy looking men can be gentle and sensitive. I think we women have a lot more power to influence (notice I didn't use the word change) men's behaviour toward us than we realize. My oppa is quite masculine in both looks & behaviour. I feel very safe walking beside him at night! But he's the gentlest soul there is, and he treats me very well. There is no way in heaven I would trade him for a man who has all the same great traits, but looks like a flower boy. No way, Jose. I like the contrast of male & female too much! :)