Reviews

superb acting but pretty bad pacing (misleading title tbh)

honestly, i enjoyed the movie. it was interesting to watch and the acting from the 2 mcs was incredible. i enjoy watching these types of movies based on true stories cuz of the educational value and the dramatized version just makes it more fun to watch.

however, the film itself was meh. (major spoilers ahead)

like i knew the story beforehand and yea that was fine, but the pacing of the film just ruined the whole vibe for me. i mean yea, the movie was almost two hours long but it just felt so so rushed. like he was turning away all the food served and then suddenly out of nowhere he starts eating and talking/hanging out with all the villagers and then suddenly the coup planning and then it actually happening and then it ended after what felt like 5mins... and then yk the ending happened. it just all felt so quick. like boom boom boom one after another and then end. like yea there's the mcs' friendship but like the progress and when they actually became friends was SO quick and not explored deeply.

idk this is just my opinion

i just wished they gave us more screen time with the king and his warden. since that was the title of the movie, i thought it would focus more on that, rather than the like actual events that panned out in history. the title was a bit misleading tbh. like maybe just a slower development between the two, more time for us to understand them both and how they came about to being super close would've been way better imo. we only get a few scenes of them actually connecting yk.

anyways, park jihoon's acting was great (as usual) he's just on another level fr. he's the goat. and yoo hai jin was great too. he acted very well.

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Respect ?

I think this was the first Korean film I watched back in 2020. Now we’re in 2026 and I’ve already seen it 3 or 4 times, so here’s my review:
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The atmosphere is just incredible. I love how well it portrays people grinding through tough, messy lives that’s not easy to pull off. I didn’t know any of the actors beforehand, and I was genuinely blown away by their performances.
The story is really strong and incredibly moving, especially the ending. Massive respect to all those men 🫡.
The soundtrack is solid too.

They built up the disaster perfectly throughout the film, and the special effects hold up really well for 2016 the explosions, injuries, all of it looked convincing.

The main character’s death at the end felt completely logical, even if it was heartbreaking.

I highly recommend this movie!

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it was such a mess.

...it was promising at first...but then it gradually went downhill.
I have so many mixed feelings. Not the typical plot I would watch but I know there are people who would enjoy it.
Couldn't grasp the exact meaning behind it, honestly the main character seemed out of his mind at the end...
But might I say, WHAT A DAMN GOOD ACTING! From both of the main characters, really!
Got goosebumps at the theatre scene!
Felt bad for the woman, felt bad for the younger one too, the older one mostly annoyed.
The 'singer' has such a nice voice! Cute.
And im so happy it didn't end with a suicide!
But if anyone is looking for a happy ending, you won't find it here.
It was a hard watch

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"He is good for nothing. I've made a mistake."

Birth of Happiness aka A Happy Businesswoman was incredibly close to being a great film for me. 1963 RoK (and most anywhere) wasn’t exactly a feminist utopia and the film's attitudes towards women reflected that. Yet Tosun had a strong desire for independence and used her wits to defy her parents and make money on her own. Of course, a handsome guy showed up and ruined everything, I mean, fell in love with Tosun.

Tosun’s father owns a bus and refuses to pay her for work she does for him. Around the same time, Shim Jae Gu comes to town looking for a bus driver job, part or full-time. Tosun’s dad kicks Jae Gu out believing him to be unworthy. Tosun has pity on penniless Jae Gu and buys him cigarettes and loans him enough money for a hotel. When her father finds out, they have a terrible row and Tosun moves out to make a living on her own much to her mother’s chagrin. She and Jae Gu hatch a plan to go into business together if they can earn enough money for a car. A developing love makes their goal more complicated.

First of all, Tosun was an amazing female lead for the most part. She was optimistic, inventive, resourceful, and bounced back when life knocked her down. She could outcon a conman and was always searching for the next best way to realistically make money. Though she was tight with her cash, she also helped people when needed. Jae Gu, on the other hand, was easily discouraged, emotionally weak, and easily duped. When the going got rough, he went drinking, gambling, and seeking intimate entertainment from the local bar hostess. Worst of all, he blamed Tosun for his failures. As so often happens, the heart wants what the heart wants and Tosun loved Jae Gu.

The film also focused on Tosun’s relationship with her mother. Tosun’s mom ran interference for both of her daughters with the dad as he was a difficult and stubborn man to deal with. When Tosun moved out, her mother was devastated. Aside from the loneliness she would face without her daughter, girls could not leave home before marriage or else their “innocence” would be questioned. Tosun refused to let that belief limit her.

I liked Tosun’s drive and cheery disposition though people did not want to get on her bad side. She could defend herself and reputation with words and fists. The romance dragged this film down as I could never see what Tosun saw in Jae Gu. Worth a watch for Tosun or if you are in need of inspiration to try, try again in life.

13 May 2026

B & W note: The film was quite dark in places and smudged looking in a few others. Mildly distracting but I’ve seen much worse.

AKA Tosuni: Birth of Happiness

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A visual masterpiece that will take your breath away.

Shadow is a genre-bending costume drama set in a mythical past in 2nd century China, which was then ruled by three kingdoms in a fragile balance of power. It is an epic heroic tale with spectacular battle scenes and incredibly beautiful cinematography throughout the film.

The background story to director Zhang Yimou’s epic masterpiece Shadow is taken from the 2nd century, when China was ruled by three kingdoms in a fragile balance of power that was constantly threatened by war. The story centers around the rulers of the Kingdom of Pei, with a particular focus on its royal commander Yu (Deng Chao). Yimou, who also wrote the screenplay with Li Wei based on Zhu Sujin’s model, imagines that Yu has been so badly injured in battle that he must retreat to a secret space in the palace so as not to show the world any outward signs of weakness, which would make the kingdom vulnerable.

Instead, Yu's double, or shadow Jing (also Deng), takes care of his daily appearances. Only Yu's wife (addressed as Madam throughout the film, played by Sun Li) knows the truth – Not even the king (Ryan Zheng) can tell them apart! But in the opening scene we get the first clues that something is amiss. Yu/Jing is to duel with General Yang (Hu Jun), who controls the city of Jing, against the king's will and thus risking war. The king is furious but forgives him, and asks him to sit down and play the zither with his wife. Jing declines, thus risking the king's wrath again. Why these challenges?

As the puzzle pieces slowly but surely fall into place, we understand that the zither game would have exposed him, and eventually the purpose behind the duel challenge is also revealed, which will have enormous consequences and lead to some of the most spectacular battle scenes we have ever seen on film. A side plot that complicates the situation further is the king's offer to marry off his beautiful sister (Guan Xiaotong) to General Yang's son Ping (Wu Lei), and thereby strengthen the influence over the city of Jing that they possess. However, the plan does not go as planned... The result of all the scheming gives exciting twists and turns, but above all visual spectacles that make you lose your breath.

These are well worth waiting for, because before that the story is told through long monologues that can feel a bit patient, even though we can console ourselves with visual pleasure throughout the film. The cinematography is spectacular! A colorless palette of black-gray-white tones is sparingly mixed with warm skin or red blood. Every single frame of film is so incredibly beautifully composed that it could be printed out and become a painting on the wall. The patterns of the clothes that are reminiscent of old Chinese ink drawings, the slow-motion fluttering kimono fabrics and the castle's wall decorations. The constant rain and the yin and yang symbols that almost become their own essence in this epic wuxia work.

The essence of the story, however, is a mythical heroic tale, or a Chinese costume drama if you will, with accompanying elements of melodrama. The tight corsets and fluttering curtains may have been replaced with the secret hiding places of kimono sleeves and shadows dancing on the walls, but these are the same ingredients of grandiose castle environments with secret hatches where forbidden love is spied on.

The magical attraction of the piano as a catalyst for hot passions has been replaced by the zither, and when the couple Yu and Madam play with such obsession that the kimono sleeves fly and the hair stands on end, it almost becomes a little funny, which is probably not the intention. Likewise, where the feminine is supposed to balance the masculine and the rebels move forward with their parasols like mannequins on the catwalk, the scene has a similar effect. In the film's defense, however, it must be admitted that I was probably the only one who laughed, and otherwise I greatly enjoyed the film, which transcends genres and is suitable for anyone who is attracted to the grand. Because I haven't seen anything this spectacular in a long time. Recommended!

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Love Punch.. What was going on..?

I heard a new BL movie was coming out so I HAD to watch it.

First the pacing was really bad. Not even ten minutes into the movie the two main characters already are all buddy buddy? Um hello, am i missing something here because from what i know you guys have never interacted in your lives and all of a sudden you LIVE together already??? (all happen in under 15 minutes btw!!!!)

Second, who was the second guy trying to get with the blonde hair guy. He was the friend of Madoka from school but him having feelings didn't add to the plot at all?? It was just thrown in there for no reason AT ALL. Maybe it was in the book but if it literally has nothing to do with the plot I lowkey dont care because they didn't even end up talking about it after one scene.

The Main Couple

Modaka Kamei (Blonde) and Mitsuru Sato (Black Haired)

Like I said, the beginning was very fast, but it slows down and speeds up at different times. It's revealed that Mitsuru had actually fallen in love with Modaka 2 years before they actually met after his brother had attacked Modaka's brother. It was a surprising connection but I think it half worked. If you're gonna fall in love with someone for two years and have been waiting, shouldn't you show it a litttllleee more emotion.? (maybe a me thing) But they had good heart-trobbing scenes. I didn't like how they kept apologizing for literally breathing air atp, it was a part of the show, yes but they know how to make it really irritating.

In conclusion the movie was very too fast for me and i went in thinking it was enemies to lovers but it was okay, romantic scenes were good but felt pushed onto the characters, chemistry was kinda there? The fighting scenes were pretty cool too!

Not super bad but not super good-- 6/10 overall.

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ACTION PACK

FIRST TIME SEEING HAEIN IN VILLAIN ROLE AND I LIKE IT.. MORE VILLAIN ROLE TO COME, OR ACTION FILM FOR HIM, TIRED OF SEEING HIM IN MELODRAMA. HE BETTER DO MORE ACTION FILM OR COMEDY FILM IF HE CAN. MORE MOVIES.

“I, the Executioner” tells the story of veteran detective Seo Do-cheol (played by HWANG Jung-min) and his team at Major Crimes, relentless in their pursuit of criminals, who join forces with rookie cop Park Sun-woo (played by JUNG Hae-in) to track down a serial killer who has plunged the nation into turmoil.

For audiences familiar with the impact the first installment of the first movie Veteran had in Korea and veteran actor Hwang Jung Min’s status in the Korean film industry, I, the Executioner is a movie Korean film enthusiasts wouldn’t want to miss. That said, the storyline of I, the Executioner has absolutely nothing to do with the first movie so moviegoers can opt to watch the movie without any expectations and knowledge of the first film (but it would be good to learn just the names of the main characters).

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"I warned that you might regret this"

I wasn’t sure what I was getting into when I started Going by the Book. The old synopsis said a traffic cop went undercover in a robbery gang and that was far removed from the story in this film. The actual premise might have been far-fetched but it did provide for both tense moments and hilarious ones.

Officer Jung Do Man had been a detective until a failed investigation resulted in his demotion to traffic cop. Upright and by the book he is a thorn in his colleagues’ sides. When the new police chief, Lee Seung Woo arrives, he discovers that there have been a number of unsolved bank robberies. After watching a military exercise, Lee decides to hold a police exercise to strengthen police response time to robberies and coordination with the banks. He secretly chooses Do Man to play the robber, a move the officer warns against. Lee learns the hard way that Jung Do Man takes his job very seriously when the simulation becomes more complicated and more public than Lee had planned.

The film started out slow, and I worried that it was not for me. Once the simulation began, that’s when the fun and tension ramped up. Do Man had done his homework and his way of handling the “hostages” was stressful and funny. Despite not wanting to upset the people in the bank, he was willing to see the simulation through to the end. And return his rented videos on time! Jung Jae Young was suited to a tee as Do Man. He portrayed a good cop who didn’t see the nuance in relationships yet could zero in on illegal patterns. Son Byung Ho brought out Chief Lee’s conflicted emotions as Jung had done exactly what he asked but to a degree he never dreamed.

Going by the Book was an interesting case study in hostage situations even if or perhaps because it was fake. People complained, freaked out, and cooperated. Pride pushed the chief to continue on long after he should have called the simulation off. Thankfully, the humor was not slapstick or bathroom oriented. It evolved organically from the claustrophobic and absurd experiment. I laughed out loud numerous times which is a rarity for me. Silly, serious, ridiculous---yet ended up being quite enjoyable.

12 May 2026
Favorite quote (roughly remembered): “In a fight, which one wins, wushu or boxing?” “The one who has a gun.”

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Very real and raw and bittersweet

Overall I found this drama to be very moving, and tackling subjects that are rarely engaged so directly. And I am not just talking about the CW parts, but the complexity of the underlying emotions and challenges and things you have to live with.

If you haven't watched it yet, I do think you may want to know that...

Check the genre tags before assuming anything based on the imagery -- This is not a romance genre drama.

This is not a romance. In either theme or content. The cover may make you think this is a GL, but the story is not about love at all, or at least not about *romance*. This is really a situation where maybe they're romantically connected and maybe they are sismance / friendship connected. Trying to put it in a box is not really useful though, the story is not ABOUT romance, this is really more about HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS.

And it is good. Really good.

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This may become your comfort movie

Haru was such a lucky find. I was genuinely surprised to come across this movie because it is quite old and not something you hear people talk about often. Released in 1996, it offers a deeply nostalgic experience, especially for anyone who grew up in the 90s.
The cinematography, pacing, and color palette perfectly capture the atmosphere of films from that era. Watching it brought back so many memories and made me nostalgic.

Plot**
The story follows Haru and Hitoshi, who meet though an online movie forum. They begin exchanging emails and grow close when Haru discovers that Hitoshi is actually a girl. Their correspondence continues for a long time as they share their lives and support each other

What makes this movie truly unique is that around 85% of it consists of email exchanges. You literally read their messages on screen, which gives the movie an almost book-like feeling, like reading through letters. The story is great and could easily become someone's comfort movie.

This film resonated with me deeply because it reminded me of my own experience with online friendships many years ago.
About 25 years ago, I also had an online friend with whom I exchanged emails weekly. We created precious memories together and supported each other throughout our school years. Watching Haru brought back a huge wave of nostalgia and emotions I had almost forgotten.
What makes the movie even more fascinating is remembering the time period in which it was made. In 1996, not everyone had access to computers or the internet, so this type of story must have felt incredibly modern and unusual.

Another aspect I appreciated is that Hitoshi and Haru don’t share everything about their lives; they only reveal certain parts. This limited sharing creates a sense of mutual support that sustains them in things that truly matters to them. For instance, Hitoshi never mentions the guy who was stalking her but does talk about a man who proposed to her. Perhaps, on some level, they both sensed their growing feelings for each other and wanted to gauge each other's reactions.

Overall, Haru is a wonderful film, especially for fans of older movies and slower, emotionally driven storytelling.
I think 90s kids in particular will truly cherish this experience because the raw cinematography and atmosphere feel like a postcard from that era. It captures not only the aesthetic of the 90s, but also the emotional loneliness and warmth of early internet connections in a way that feels timeless.

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