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Multiverse of emotions
Another Korean movie with two titles, one in English (Virgin Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors) which makes no sense to me and the other Korean (Oh! Soo Jung) which describes much better what kind of movie this is. Despite everything, I think it's hard to have the right expectations for this movie. It is an art film with a serious mature theme, made in black and white, centered around conversations between the main protagonists and long, awkward kisses. I found the film interesting to watch due to it being arranged like a mosaic so that every 5 minutes we have a temporal or dimensional jump in the story, so in the end we get the same story told in two versions and with different conflicting emotions so that in the end we don't know what is true and what is subjective, what is true and what a lie. Are men really in love with "poor" Soo Jung, is she even honest with them a bout her virginity? What actually happened? Which version of the film, if any, reveals the truth, or is it just different subjective perceptions.Although the film has some entertainment value, I found it uncomfortable and difficult to watch, especially because of the static and overly long kissing scenes. It was as if I had become a voyeur. It is still positive that the characters seem like real people and we can empathize with their emotions and concerns.
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Way of Life
This is one of my favorite Korean movies, and the English name "Nostalgia" fits it perfectly. The movie touched me on many levels. From a cinematic point of view, it is filled with many shots that show the beauty of ordinary life. The characters are real people, not great looking stars, and it feels like I'm watching my neighbors. The acting is deliberately a bit comical to bring us closer to the different personalities of the characters. At the center of the plot is music, which gives meaning and magic to life's experiences. Several songs can be heard in the film, each with its own message and beauty, from traditional songs to folk ballads. Because of the music and the personalities of the characters, I can watch this movie again and again and enjoy it.More than anything, the film shows an authentic life that many people run away from today, and therefore evokes nostalgia for the lost simplicity of life and community. We all want to be modern, successful, independent, everything should be perfect. But it doesn't have to be perfect, three chords on the guitar are enough for life to have meaning again.
And finally, my favorite verse from the movie: 인생은 함께 가는 사랑길, 혼자서 가기엔 외로워...
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Money isn't Everything
Real Movies show real Life, they give us a new perspective on our own experience or show us "what if" reality. This movie is called "Black Republic" to signalize the bad reality and perspective of the society, but i like the Korean title more "그들도 우리처럼" - They Are Also Like Us. This original title gives us more connections with the theme and the characters in the movie. I was wondering about many characters whose story wasn't developed in the movie but in all of them we see the dark shadow of their existence and struggle for dignity, justice, love, peace, but ultimately hope and better future. It happens so often, as we see in the movie, how people struggle to get money, but money is never the real purpose. People want something else, something meaningful.This is a movie from the past period of history and cinema, and therefore braver and more honest then new movies, pure in its depiction of the story, without unnecessary twists and turns, not trying to put comedy relief to make it more enjoyable or fun, not trying to put "the message" or worrying about offending the viewer with modern correctness, - just a simple but very impactful story. We mostly follow one man and try to understand him just by observing him and his interactions, so for me this movie was very intriguing and even meditative.
Don't despair in the darkness of today but look for a better tomorrow with hope.
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Victory in Life
I miss movies like this. The martial arts genre is the genre of my youth that I enjoyed the most. Movies of this type have moved into the genre of thrillers, bloody gore or superheroes, but they have never been as good, and that's why I was both surprised and delighted by how much I liked this movie. It reminds me of the golden age of Korean cinema, which for me was from 2005 to 2010 when I was watching Korean movies every day, and in a way this film also belongs to that time.Actually, I started watching the now movie because it wasn't on my "already seen list", but as soon as the movie switches to the youth of the main characters, I remembered that I had already seen it. I would even say that now, 10 years later, this movie is even better for me than when I watched it for the first time.
The film shows three friends who meet again in the ring after 25 years. The film briefly shows the days of their youth, but the main part of the film is the present time and these actors did the best job. I'm especially glad to see Hwang Jung-min, who is one of my favorite actors, and here he shows how skilled he is in fighting, and also in singing, since we hear his voice in the closing song of the film. The fight choreographies are very good, the story has enough plot and drama to justify the long duration. I have no complaints. A 10 for me.
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Smuggling is not for everybody
Another one of those Korean films that is impossible to place in a specific genre. The atmosphere is a comedy, and the plot is a thriller, with elements of action, drama, and adventure. The film is at times casual and relaxed, and at times bloody brutal, as if I am watching two movies at the same time. In my opinion, the comedic elements are misused and prevent the viewer from enjoying the seriousness, tension and twists in the plot. The plot has a lot of twists and turns and thus constantly makes the movie more and more interesting.The actors are very good and special praise and respect should be given to the female actors and stuntmen who spent a large part of the film diving underwater.
I also really like the choice of music. At times, the musical numbers seem forced as if they were selected on a jukebox, but I'll forgive that because I like the style of the music and even wish there was more of it. Actually, now after the movie I'm going to listen to some Korean trot and evergreens from the golden seventies.
And yes, one spoiler, at the end I even noticed some dolphins 😊
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What is the GOAT life
There is a saying: Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them. Well here in this short one hour comedy-romance-drama we have a student who wants to trick another student into love only to experience how love works in mysterious ways.We indeed live in a society that promotes success more than love and it is hard to just take your time with life. Underneath the silly premise of this drama there is an important message about life. Maybe we don’t need to submit ourselves to the system, maybe we should change the system with a better life.
I enjoyed this drama a lot, the actors were cute, the scenes were funny and emotional, the production on a high level and the message is great. Maybe a little cheesy at the moments but still so adorable, even for me as a 40 year old guy.
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All Actions have Consequences
This show started perfectly and it managed to stay fresh and interesting until the end. I couldn't stop thinking about it for two days until i finished it. I did took a break after every episode.The style is a little bit quirky and even though this is an action thriller with a hint of supernatural, it also had some comical moments. I was bothered with some unnecessary scenes like for example two short nude scenes, but the biggest issue is that in the second half of the series the main character, Lee Tang paradoxically only has 5 minutes of screen time per episode since the story expanded to other characters. So the drama loses/changes it's original identity. All in all this was an exciting watch with great characters and actors who gave them life.
A great small detail in the drama is a book "Crime and Punishment" which must have inspired the creators and, after finishing this drama, i feel a desire to read the book also.
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Everyone has a chance
I saw this movie by a chance so I would say that the director succeeded even though the main character in the movie tries to succeed with, what seems like a bad idea. He dreams of a blockbuster but insists of doing an erotic B-movie and is disappointed with constant failures. It is true that no achievement can be accomplished without failures. It is said that Thomas Edison produced 2000 bad lightbulbs before achieving success. So all those failures were necessary to discover a right way to do it. In this movie, a movie-director Seung Hoon fails at many steps but somehow he goes on and that is a good message.The movie also reminds us of the limitations a problems caused by to Covid. The acting could have been better. I was surprised to see some American people here. The jokes weren't very funny to me but I will remember the movie in positive light because i enjoyed the selection of songs played in the background a couple of times.
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There is a fish
Why does the synopsis reveal the entire plot of the movie? Luckily there is a fish in the movie that can be related to our main character, the mysterious woman Ji-soo who collects and examines garbage from other people, and this comparison is the most interesting thing about the movie.The idea to be able to know other people through their garbage is not bad but it is highly unrealistic from the perspective of this movie. The main character, Ji soo has only around 10 Folders but she documents every trash piece of every tenant?! If I knew someone with this kind of "hobby" I would surely think that this person is crazy although it could be a product of an introvert person who is interested in other people but is afraid to approach them directly. This is where we as viewers can sympathise with our main character and wish her to open up for the real human contact. The movie is good for what it is and it manages to emotionally connects us with the story and characters.
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those final punches
If you are on Twitter (X) you can see many instances where students dare to provoke teachers and even fight with them. This movie is, of course, a fictional story about something similar, a teacher who if provoked into fighting with a student. The story is quite simple but unexpected, and the resolution is well prepared and realized. There is action, comedy, drama, all mixed into a cute and yet brutal high school experience. Boy, I am so happy that i am not in high school anymore.This movie is not a super hero blockbuster, even though at one moment it seemed to be going into superhero direction. I am glad it didn't and that the women strength is depicted as realistically as possibile in the logic of the movie. Also, i just read here on the site that this is based on a webtoon and i must say that the movie gave me that vibe and reminded me on "Lookism" and "Moving". And yes, those final punches were straight from the comics.
.. 요 or should i say Meow!
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meet the members
I am writing this review while watching Tomorrow x Together Live Concert at Lollapalooza 2023, which is very energetic and exciting watch.as for the documentary, it did make me go and explore more about the band but i would say that it didn't have enough music. the director gave to every member a few minutes to say a few things which was good to meet the members and have a glimpse of what is on their mind. all in all this is a backstage footage of the band preparing for concerts and trying their best to overcome the challenges that can come like sickness, missing the moves, tiredness, pressure, etc... so i would say that this isnt as exciting as watching the concerts, for the real fans (MOAs) this is a great way to see what happens behind the stage and how the members are slowly growing as performers.
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even ghosts are lonely
Water Ghost aka Bottom of the Water is a mediocre horror movie. short enough to keep the interest and concentration but lacking in production quality and some inconsistent plot development. the legends of Korean Water Ghosts have a lot of potential but i don't see anything specially noteworthy here.Plus of the movie is atmospheric scenery and suspenseful music. it has many great shots, and i was surprised how good the trailer for the movie looks but the movie itself doesn't fulfil the expectations and the acting is not that great.
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unexpected religious experience
As a Christian i am not very familiar with Buddhism but i admire the life of Buddhist monks and this movie more than anything shows the human and spiritual side of them. also the differences between them. No one is perfect but everyone has his purpose.it was a very enjoyable production for the reason that the movie offers a 2-hour escape from every day life and makes you think about living in simplicity in the monastery and with the nature.
I was expecting a light comedy drama but this movie made me think about my life vocation and the meaning of life and death.
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I couldn't understand everything because i saw it in korean but i understood enough to follow the emotional and dramatic narrative of this unique natural territory - the Saemangeum tidal flat that was almost destroyed. The effort put into making this documentary is extraordinary. i enjoyed seeing birds and other small water animals living here and also the humans trying their best to protect the nature and exploring it.
this documentary is a testimony to the beauty of life and truly a love song to the subject it presents.
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Pyongyang Yes or No
The description puts this movie into the genres of Action, Thriller, Mystery, and Crime, but it is actually an artistic comedy in the style of Wes Anderson. So it is quite unique for Korean cinema.In the plot, the hijackers want to go to Pyongyang, but it seems like no one really knows what to do. Director Byun Sung-hyun took a strange historical story and turned it into an absurd and satirical comedy where all the ridiculous things you could think of find their place. This is good news if you enjoy this kind of comedy, but bad news if you expect something serious and realistic (like the “news” in the movie’s title). For me, the jokes were interesting, especially the intellectual ones, though a few gags felt cringy. Still, once or twice I did laugh out loud.
I appreciate the movie’s artistic style and the detailed production — even the insert shots or flashback scenes that last only a few seconds clearly took effort. (Were some of them maybe made by AI?)
As a religious person, I didn’t like how the movie portrayed prayer, but I admit that it fits the tone of this kind of satirical cinema, which offers viewers a bit of light-hearted escape from a boring reality. Overall, this movie is a good choice for when you have some spare time or want something different.
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