Tag Archives: South Korean Film

In Our Day (2023) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): The 30th film by Hong Sang-soo

Posted on October 23, 2023 by kaist455

The most memorable thing in Hong Sang-soo’s 30th feature film “In Our Day” is one fluffy (and plumpy) cat, which always steals the show whenever it appears on the screen. Probably because the movie is relatively less interesting than Hong’s … Continue reading →

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A Tour Guide (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): The loneliness of one North Korean defector

Posted on October 22, 2023 by kaist455

South Korean independent film “A Tour Guide”, which was released as “A Person to Trust” in South Korea, follows the struggles of one North Korean female defector in the middle of the South Korean society. No matter how much she … Continue reading →

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Hopeless (2023) ☆☆(2/4): Hopelessly grim and tepid

Posted on October 8, 2023 by kaist455

South Korean film “Hopeless” is a grim crime noir drama which tediously pushes the story and characters into more violence and misery without much substance or interest. Besides being unlikable or pathetic, most of the main characters in the film … Continue reading →

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Love Reset (2023) ☆☆(2/4): Love after divorce – and amnesia

Posted on October 3, 2023 by kaist455

I am not an ideal audience for South Korean film “Love Reset”. To be frank with you, I do not like comedies simply resorting to cheap gags and apparent jokes instead of being driven by genuine personalities and absurdities, and … Continue reading →

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Cobweb (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): One crazy filmmaking day

Posted on September 28, 2023 by kaist455

South Korean film “Cobweb”, which finally arrived in South Korean movie theaters yesterday after being shown at the Cannes Film Festival early in this year, is about one crazy filmmaking day to watch. Although it stumbles from time to time … Continue reading →

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Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman (2023) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Your average TV pilot

Posted on September 28, 2023 by kaist455

South Korean film “Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman” is a curious case of how a sub-standard piece of work can be redeemed at times by the compelling presence of its engaging lead actor. Whenever the camera looks at him, he … Continue reading →

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Road to Boston (2023) ☆☆(2/4): Running with tedious nationalism

Posted on September 28, 2023 by kaist455

South Korean film “Road to Boston” is so shamelessly corny and old-fashioned that I cringed a lot more than once while watching it yesterday. Here is a dramatic real-life story which is surely worthwhile to tell for good reasons, but … Continue reading →

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Sleep (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Her husband’s disturbing sleeping problem

Posted on September 7, 2023 by kaist455

South Korean film “Sleep” seems to be a certain kind of story and then ends up becoming something much different. This is an odd mix of horror thriller and black comedy swinging back and forth somewhere between “The Exorcist” (1973) … Continue reading →

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Her Hobby (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): How they bond together

Posted on August 31, 2023 by kaist455

South Korean film “Her Hobby” is a little country noir thriller revolving around one unlikely solidarity between two very different women. As one gets empowered thanks to some help and encouragement from the other, the movie gradually reveals the seedy … Continue reading →

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Hail to Hell (2022) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): This is surely not what they expected…

Posted on August 18, 2023 by kaist455

South Korean independent film “Hail to Hell” surprised me more than once for good reasons. As following two young outcasts’ silly attempt of personal revenge, the movie generates a number of sharply humorous moments for us, and then it goes … Continue reading →

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