Tag Archives: South Korean Film

Dear Dolphin (2013) ☆☆☆(3/4) : Guilt and illusion they have

Posted on June 1, 2013 by kaist455

They are still grieving over their loss with guilt inside their hearts, and their confused hearts don’t know what to do. They are pretty clumsy when they grasp for consolation or redemption, and they remain as confused as before. In … Continue reading →

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Fists of Legend (2013) ☆☆(2/4) : Lots of punches and kicks with little preparation

Posted on April 11, 2013 by kaist455

Usually, the sports films about boxing or kickboxing or MMA or any other kinds of sports played in the ring/cage have the preparation/build-up process before their obligatory big showdown scene. Main characters are introduced in the beginning, and we get … Continue reading →

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Running Man (2013) ☆☆(2/4) : A running man in a hobbling thriller

Posted on April 4, 2013 by kaist455

 Ironically, new South Korean action movie “Running Man” does not run that much. It instead hobbles a lot while letting itself being saddled with many unnecessary story elements which could have been discarded without any problem, and I kept losing … Continue reading →

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Very Ordinary Couple (2013) ☆☆☆(3/4) : Are they ever

Posted on March 23, 2013 by kaist455

Many romantic comedies become mellow or slow during their third act as things get more serious, but South Korean romantic comedy “Very Ordinary Couple” is a bit different because of the irony inside the dynamic between its couple. They decide … Continue reading →

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Jiseul (2012) ☆☆☆(3/4) : A sad, restrained elegy for the nameless victims

Posted on March 22, 2013 by kaist455

“Jiseul” reminded me that I did not know much about the Jeju uprising, which was one of the most tragic incidents in the modern Korean history but a merely small fact in my high school history textbook. Although it is … Continue reading →

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Nobody’s Daughter Haewon (2013) ☆☆☆(3/4) : She’ll probably be all right in the end.

Posted on March 5, 2013 by kaist455

“Nobody’s Daughter Heawon” is another small, lightweight work from South Korean director Hong Sang-soo which does not escape from our expectation much. Again, we are treated with the familiar elements from his previous works: drinking, problematic romantic relationship, and funny … Continue reading →

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New World (2013) ☆☆☆(3/4) : In their ruthless new world

Posted on February 23, 2013 by kaist455

South Korean crime noir film “New World” mixes many familiar elements from its genre into its story, and you may recognize some of them if you have seen its seniors such as “Internal Affairs”(2002) or “The Departed”(2006). For instance, one … Continue reading →

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How to Use Guys with Secret Tips (2013) ☆☆☆(3/4) : Don’t judge it by its cover

Posted on February 15, 2013 by kaist455

I have never read those self-help books, but I know one thing for sure: they are pretty useless guides which only waste your money and time. Although I must confess that my nerdy life of 30 years are mostly filled … Continue reading →

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Run to the South (2013) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4) : Going his way to the South

Posted on February 8, 2013 by kaist455

Although you cannot wholly agree with what he thinks and believes, the hero of South Korean comedy movie “Run to the South” is an interesting man to observe. He just wants to live his life in his own way, but … Continue reading →

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The Berlin File (2013) ☆☆☆(3/4) : A Cold War espionage in the 21th century

Posted on February 1, 2013 by kaist455

“The Berlin File”, a gritty action film from South Korea, is a respectful homage to those cold, gray espionage films made during the 1960-70s. With its melancholic mood reminiscent of John le Carré’s novels(one of his books briefly appears in … Continue reading →

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