After repeatedly hearing “I was just following orders” and seeing the vigilantes exposed as playing roles instead of having supposedly “valid” reasons to get back at the stereotypical elites, I just watched the movie as a metaphor for the unjust division of society where the powerful prey on the weak and suffer no consequences. I think the crime and reasons behind it are purposely nonsensical and vague as a comment on the incredible injustice Korea has faced throughout history, but the criminals remain the same. The repeated May 9 made me think of how certain events and dates are never forgotten (choosing May seems to purposely evoke Gwangju).
I think that’s also the reason KYM plays multiple roles; he’s seen as characters on both sides and even in between. Then it gets meta with the actors playing vigilantes playing actors and the penultimate scenes seem to be anticipating criticism of the movie and the concept of unreliable narrators (who come from all sides because everyone’s perspective is colored by personal trauma). Heavy handed but the movie makes sense in that context.
Anyway, I had been avoiding watching this director based on comments on his films but may be brave and watch the others now (as I understand this one was tamer than his others)
Not sure how much I liked this. It was funny, dark, smart and stylish with a great cast but it seemed obvious everyone was doomed to fail because of Kwon’s immense power. I was surprised at the times Kwon didn’t kill someone only to find he kills them later. So what was the point of not killing them earlier? By the end Jeon was just back under Kwon’s wing having lost his dreams and merely surviving.
Jeon’s inexplicably naive behavior and vague backstory didn’t help (couldn’t understand why Kwon put up with him at all or why anyone would trust him to support his real estate caper in the first place).
Enjoyable, not bad but left me wondering (which may have been a point)
I loved how it was not only a gangster movie but played so much with societal expectations that led to Choi’s downfall. The way the gangsters put him in his place was devastating.
That ending!!! The last 10 minutes wowed me. Don’t underestimate a gangster! I wonder whether Choi really believed he won or whether he was living in dread all those years? He didn’t seem surprised at the end. I would watch this again.
Could not finish this. Too exploitative and disturbing for me to watch and wait for any twists or explanations so maybe I missed its redeeming qualities. I watched half of it and felt no interest in learning more about the guy and his motivations because he was just endlessly creepy. There was a grim hopelessness that made me feel like the ending wouldn’t matter
What a treat to see baby faced stars in this sweet and funny romp. It has the trappings of naughty teen movie but with heart! Jung Woo was a nice surprise and Gong Yoo was hilarious
I can’t fathom the drop in quality. You would think they’d raise the bar but it was lowered in all regards other than unnecessary gore! Adding the classic horrible white western actor was a mistake.
Local thug’s storyline was pointless, humor was forced and misplaced (normal humans, even if they’re thugs, being bullied and exploited by superhumans is scary, not funny). I would imagine The Witch 1 had people waiting for this movie. What a disappointment
It was very cute and the leads’ roles were very sweet and innocent. Did feel very old fashioned so the intermittent sex humor due to less wholesome best friend characters (and the acquaintance rape/secret sex recording threatened near the end) felt jarring. When the rapist was foiled wacky background music played that would’ve been more appropriate for a children’s cartoon…But it really wasn’t close to the worst movie I’ve ever seen
I really enjoy these low key explorations of very normal aspects of life. This one explores what happens when you grow out of a relationship (and at the very end you realize ML has probably lost just as much as FL, but much sooner; maybe even lost more in terms of self esteem). Lee Dong Hwi as usual nails the awkward loser role but is more relatable than creepy here
Wow! Horrifying and one brief restroom scene at 1 hour 10 minutes in had me screaming (and it just gets worse from there)! Terrifying, monsters are everywhere (and it’s clearly not just the worms). Thank goodness the resolution started shortly after the peak horror. Well done!
Enjoyed it though I had to look away during the animal abuse parts (though most were very cartoonish; this aspect, the dogs, jazz, sad sack demeanors and prominent use of yellow clothing all made me think of Peanuts/Charlie Brown and how this could be commentary on what happens if we never grow up, shown two ways with ML just a slave to social/work mores and FL with her best friend, just enjoying being good, innocent and free. I loved the best friend pairing, they were so pure hearted!) Would recommend!
Ann’s review is really great and I agree with her interpretation of what happened and why it felt open ended/ had loose ends; the movie specifically explores what happens when you find a loose end and the consequences of making assumptions or wanting to tie things in a neat bow. FL fought against doing that throughout the movie. Worth watching!
Choi Daniel was amazing in this! I didn’t recognize him, he was dripping with charisma and looked unreal. I would recommend it just for him (always found him meh before). The twist was always coming but the specifics were really unexpected and very tragic. Also interesting to see PSJ with very dark hair!
Despite the alleged murder that is the basis of the story this was a very nimble, humorous yet touching movie. One scene really strained belief for me but the general unrealistic tone (with the Alice in Wonderland feel of ML getting lost in the Justice building and being led astray by a wise custodian) suggested to me that this was more like a fairy tale than a crime drama.
So sad! Leads were each so innocent in their own ways and history was working against them. Their love story was really simple, natural and endearing and will never die!
I think we were supposed to accept that both MLs loved FL because of her innocence compared to the other conniving girls (but her sister was nice and no one fell in love with her?). I didn’t mind the second half since it was one-way attraction.
It felt like the point was to always be truthful even if it hurts (since FL got burned by this multiple times: pranks, the midpoint reveal and the ending). Like a comment on not abusing or taking advantage of someone’s innocence, even if you think you’re doing it for that person’s good.If anyone knows where to find the webtoon this was based on in English online, please share! I can’t find anything
Wow…Interesting exploration of how mundane evil can be. I was shocked at how ML treated his daughter in the car. It made me wonder how bad he had been during the marriage for the daughter to dread being with him.
He was ultimately to blame and the film shows all the different ways he refuses to accept responsibility. The ex-wife was on point about his selfish ways but why did she call him in the first place?! Maybe it was to punish him as he suggested.
I definitely feel the ending suggested the boy did shove the daughter into the street…But he also said he didn’t feel he could bring her to ML and seemed to have his own issues from being abandoned by his own parents. Makes me wonder if he felt little girl getting hit by a car was a safer outcome than going home with ML and in that case, was it a good or evil choice?
Sweet set of stories about how precious time is and the importance of living your truth with no fear or regret. The stories really build up to show why Kevin feels so ambivalent in the first scenes and makes his performance at the end more cathartic and bittersweet.
The first story (described below) was weakest but seemed to show the manager’s past struggles leading her to Kevin.
The second story was a very sweet snapshot of a typical family finally going on the camping trip the dad always wanted.
The grandmother was so excellent, I cried. That last story had all the coziness and comfort being with grandma evokes, making the story even sadder but the end again brought a sense of closure and freedom for Kevin to live life for himself
I think that’s also the reason KYM plays multiple roles; he’s seen as characters on both sides and even in between. Then it gets meta with the actors playing vigilantes playing actors and the penultimate scenes seem to be anticipating criticism of the movie and the concept of unreliable narrators (who come from all sides because everyone’s perspective is colored by personal trauma). Heavy handed but the movie makes sense in that context.
Anyway, I had been avoiding watching this director based on comments on his films but may be brave and watch the others now (as I understand this one was tamer than his others)
Jeon’s inexplicably naive behavior and vague backstory didn’t help (couldn’t understand why Kwon put up with him at all or why anyone would trust him to support his real estate caper in the first place).
Enjoyable, not bad but left me wondering (which may have been a point)
That ending!!! The last 10 minutes wowed me. Don’t underestimate a gangster! I wonder whether Choi really believed he won or whether he was living in dread all those years? He didn’t seem surprised at the end. I would watch this again.
Local thug’s storyline was pointless, humor was forced and misplaced (normal humans, even if they’re thugs, being bullied and exploited by superhumans is scary, not funny). I would imagine The Witch 1 had people waiting for this movie. What a disappointment
Great cast and a crowd pleaser
It felt like the point was to always be truthful even if it hurts (since FL got burned by this multiple times: pranks, the midpoint reveal and the ending). Like a comment on not abusing or taking advantage of someone’s innocence, even if you think you’re doing it for that person’s good.If anyone knows where to find the webtoon this was based on in English online, please share! I can’t find anything
He was ultimately to blame and the film shows all the different ways he refuses to accept responsibility. The ex-wife was on point about his selfish ways but why did she call him in the first place?! Maybe it was to punish him as he suggested.
I definitely feel the ending suggested the boy did shove the daughter into the street…But he also said he didn’t feel he could bring her to ML and seemed to have his own issues from being abandoned by his own parents. Makes me wonder if he felt little girl getting hit by a car was a safer outcome than going home with ML and in that case, was it a good or evil choice?
Good, engrossing watch
The first story (described below) was weakest but seemed to show the manager’s past struggles leading her to Kevin.
The second story was a very sweet snapshot of a typical family finally going on the camping trip the dad always wanted.
The grandmother was so excellent, I cried. That last story had all the coziness and comfort being with grandma evokes, making the story even sadder but the end again brought a sense of closure and freedom for Kevin to live life for himself