coldebleus

I understand we’re all sick and tired of seeing stories about school violence esp coming out of SK it feels like you can never escape this genre in particular but i felt this film did a good job at delivering it in a fresh new way.

I’ve seen some people complain about how one dimensional the characters feel esp the villain but i think that’s the strongest point of this story. At no point did they try to shove his backstory down the viewers throat in attempt to have us sympathize with him. He was simply an evil entity unable of feeling an ounce of remorse. I watched the directors comentary on this and they mentioned how this was very much intentional. They wanted to emphasize that he had no redeemable traits whatsoever. I do feel like it can be argued that they still decided to cast a very good looking actor to play the villain so it was a bit counter productive but i think that could also serve as a commentary on how much value society puts on outer appearance given audience’s reaction to his character.


I do like how the fl is written to be a bit morally ambiguous in the beginning as well. As she’s also trying to navigate through this new system and learn to survive after being forced to give up her dream as a boxer. She didn’t just assume the role of a hero from the jump and started fighting for justice, it took time for her to understand the gravity of the situation and realize she’s the only hope for those poor souls that were being viciously bullied. I understand that her goofiness esp towards the begining and random tonal shifts of the movie can throw some ppl off but i don’t think it’s particularly distasteful as some are claiming. It seems to just be a stylistic choice esp considering this is a webtoon adaptation, it’s bound to have some cartoonish elements.


I absolutely enjoyed the acting performance in this. Both main leads devoured their roles it was a sight to see. I have not really been the biggest Shin Hyesun enjoyer as i’ve mostly seen her in second lead roles in the past and maybe one movie where she was the main some years back but nothing that was memorable for me to care so i never quite understood the hype but im here to say i get it… i really do! She’s a charismatic actress with so much charm and appeal it’s crazy. I do think she shines brighter with certain type of projects and this seems to be one of her best!
Lee Junyoung is a recent discovery for me, even though i’ve seen of him here and there i’ve never really paid enough attention but i was able to go through his filmography recently and i’m more than impressed. It’s both scary and impressive how he transforms into a different person with every new role and manages to look nothing like the character he played before. He’s a chameleon. Even in the different villainous roles he has taken on, there’s something distinct about each one of them not just in the way they’re written but in the way he plays them that they’re all very distinguishable from eachother. Sugang in particular is a character that’s so violent and brutal down to the fibre of his being that he doesn’t blink when he tortures people relentlessly in fact he finds joy in doing so. The way LJY is able to portray that type of bloodthirsty viscous look through just his eyes and those signature quirks he gave his character adds to the charm and appeal. And as someone that had just seen him in a contrasting role it’s that much more impressive he has definitely become one of my elite employees!


This movie has great action sequences and really satisfying fighting scenes. I understand the logic behind a high school bully holding his own against a pro boxer can seem off but there are some things to consider like the fact that it’s emphasized that he’s not a minor even though he’s still in high school so he’s physically more matured compared to his peers, he’s also a man and a different weight class, he could potentially have training as well (an assumption but thinking he doesn’t would also be one), Simin hasn’t participated in an actual competition in years she could be rusty… so many possibilities. He might’ve held his own but he still got his ss BEAT to mars and back i think that’s enough to prove who’s better so i don’t think its something that requires too much of a suspension of disbelief from viewers…


All in all, a great watch i would recommend it to anyone capable of having fun but heed the trigger warnings bc there are some stomach churning scenes (none of the ones where sugang is getting beat up! those were fun to watch hehe)