Castaway on the Moon (2009) User Reviews

Very well done movie, fully recommend.

[victor-ragusila · 9/10 · 14 September 2009]

This movie could be classified as a "romantic comedy", if that term wouldn't be associated with so many cheap, artificial and silly movies. "Castay on the Moon", while both funny and romantic (and sometimes very sad), is amazingly well done, with an fine balance between its elements.

The plot is solid, the images and camera work are top notch, and the story, containing some rather delicate situations and characters, is very sensibly and honestly and told.

I have not found any weakness with this movie, no part that i would have done differently, or where i felt that the characters did something just for the sake of the plot. They are very real people, sometimes confused, sometimes weak, and they make no apology for it, do not try to explain themselves. Both main (only) characters are some of the most interesting, real people i have seen on a screen.

I fully recommend it, and i believe it is a good example that any genre (even one that combines romantic and comedy situations together) has amazing achievements.

SPOILER!!!\/

Watch for the scene with the guy making fire, the whole theatre laughed for 20 seconds straight. It is brilliant.

Excellent cinema

[Agatha666 · 9/10 · 13 December 2011]

I really loved this film. I am not a huge fan of Korean cinema but after this one I may have to rethink this. This is a funny, moving, great film about two people who find each other. It has been such a long time since something really excited me as much as this film did. No need for a remake this is perfect just as it is. The cinematography is creative and stunning and the dialog is clever and endearing. It is really a story about how a person disintegrates and is reborn and inspires another lost soul to wake up and come out into the sunlight. Reminds me a bit of Wristcutters. Grab some black bean noodles, curl up on the sofa and enjoy.

Excellent

[adnilramos · 9/10 · 8 November 2011]

As the minutes tick by the similarity to the Tom Hanks movie evaporate, leaving nothing.

If you insist on finding western movies of a similar title to compare it to, you'd find more parallels in Moon (2009).

It is quite unique: very satisfying. As weirdly nourishing as the dish featured in the story.

Just watch it. There isn't much to say without undermining the impact.

Unfortunately the guidelines on IMDb require me to say some more so I'll add that in a few key places I wish the sub-titling was more comprehensive. The acting, in particular the girl, was excellent. Leaves one with a certain "mood" that does not dissipate quickly after the movie finishes.

Won no Oscars, but won my heart!

[shimuzu · 10/10 · 21 October 2012]

This film, although simple in premise is beautifully told, and superbly acted. Jae-Yeong Jeong has now become one of my favorite actors on the strength of this film. His range is incredible, and is deserved of an Oscar (Hollywood, take note). This film is incredibly easy to watch and entertaining. It will make you laugh out loud, and will also pull on those heartstrings. The comparisons to Tom Hank's Castaway is inevitable, but like other reviewers have said, it's way more than what Castaway had to offer. It's a real gem of a movie and is highly recommended.

Bravo to all involved making this movie!

Beautiful Fable, True at its Core

[berghwithanh · 10/10 · 18 December 2011]

I can't believe I hadn't heard of this movie until it showed up in my Netflix recommendations. Why isn't everyone talking about this movie? Why didn't it win best foreign picture? Why... Oh, right. No car chases. No sex scenes. No scenes in bars, or at football games. Subtitles. If you can enjoy a movie with subtitles, if you don't think someone has to look or act just like you to be comprehensible as a human being, if you've ever read a poem and loved it, you will likely love this movie.

I'm not even going to talk about the plot. The plot is wonderful, but not really the point. This is a movie about isolation, and human connections, and what makes us human at all. It is a social commentary, and a beautifully told fable. To call it a romantic comedy, to compare it to an American movie with a similar title, is to miss the point entirely.

Warning: before you watch this movie, you'd better figure out where you can find a local source for black bean noodles ('jajangmyun' in Korean). Even if you've never tasted them, you'll be craving them by the end of the movie. I have tasted them - fresh from a street vendor in Seoul - and I'm now nearly wild for black bean noodles.

And this basic hunger for a simple comfort food - for enjoyment of sustenance with all the associations that come with true comfort food - sums up the movie nicely.

a delightful surprise

[krzysiektom · 10/10 · 19 May 2010]

I was really stunned by this film. Expected something good - I have high opinion of South Corean cinema (Oldboy!!), but this exceeded all my expectations. To cut a long story short: it excels in every aspect of film-making - directing, script, music, photography and acting. The main male character is very good, but the female is a revelation. This little film blows Hanks' "Cast away" out of the water completely, by originality, depth, intelligence, wit, emotionality. And for a film apparently quite sad it contains an amazing amount of humor. It reminded me a little of "Chungking Express", another Asian favorite of mine, as that one is also about social outcasts, weirdos, loneliness and... food. Funny thing, I do not know the English title of this Corean gem. It is highly recommended.

I was literally lost for words.

[nikkocaplin-927-392530 · 10/10 · 28 April 2011]

For almost 2 weeks ago I was told that there was a new movie being showed at out local cinema. I said "cool". Then I was told the reviewers didn't actually know what to say about the movie and just told everyone to go see it for yourselves. Then I said " we should give this movie a try".

We bought tickets, sat down in the smallest cinema room I had ever been in with 5 other people. I asked what the title of this movie was and I was told it was Castaway On The Moon. I thought it would be a rip-off of the movie Castaway but would involve space.

The movie started. I immediately started giving myself predictions of what would happen next. And very early in the beginning I was convinced it was going to rip-off the movie Castaway even thought the beginning of this movie had nothing to do with the Tom Hanks movie.

After very few minutes I stopped thinking. I stopped thinking about everything. My mind was literally not awake. The only part of my body that was there was my eyes and ears, and now I will forever take care them. Because without my eyes and ears I would never ever had been able to witness this piece of unexplainable incredible art!

This film is art. It is one of the best examples of moving art. Moving as a picture that moves, and as in an emotion not possible to really explain.

Even though it's not so to say an English speaking movie, it is still meant for the western audience. In fact it's meant for the western, northern, southern, and eastern audience.

I didn't for a moment think about the composition, the lighting, the color work or any of that stuff. Not even the acting. Everything was just.. well I can't put another name on it that perfect!

This movie has so many messages and shows them all in such a brilliant way! I could only name a couple but I know there are so many more..... I just don't know how to put words on them. Even showing is something I do not know how to do. It's just something you have to see, think about and understand.

I can't tell you how good this is or how bad it is, because it's neither. It's not good, it's not bad, it's something else that stretches above the words knows as good, great, brilliant and incredible. I don't know whatever word that would be and I don't even think there is a word for it or can ever be a word for it! It's just something you feel. And that is what this movie is! It is a feeling! Not a word, not a story! It is a feeling! Everything this movie, film, a piece of art, you can call it whatever you want but that's what this is!

I know this is a lot of praise for a movie and many will probably question what I have said about this movie but I'm telling you, this is a movie you have to see for yourself!

When the movie ended I sat in my chair just watching and listening to the credits, waiting for my brain to catch up with everything my eyes and ears had just experienced. As the last person left I left the theater.

On my way back I was walking with those who watched the movie with me and I could not come up with a single word to say. And neither could my company. We were all just walking without a word and didn't manage to say anything until we got home. During that 10 minute walk, it felt like we were all just trying to come up with something to say about the movie but no one could do it! When we started talking again we didn't mention the movie. We didn't mention it because we didn't know what to say about it.

When I try to explain this movie, I literally say "It's a movie". I say nothing negative about it and nothing positive either cause no matter how many words I use, I could never ever be able to explain it!

This movie isn't a movie. It's not a film. It's honestly a feeling. Which is why I can't explain this amazing experience with words or even show it. It must be felt. It must be experienced.

Being a castaway in Seoul

[Mepimar · 6/10 · 27 June 2017]

A man ends up on a deserted island and has to face the challenges of living in the wilderness. Sounds familiar? Then you might be surprised, because this movie offers more than that.

The deserted island is right in the middle of a city, a small and unique world in which an outcast rediscovers life, uncaring of the merciless rules the city across the river obeys to.

While he may be completely alone on that small piece of land, he shares this secluded lifestyle with a young woman who, like him, lives in a world of her own, but on the opposite shore, in the city.

If you add to that the good camera work and all the nice music what you obtain is magic. But sadly the movie seems to go out of its way to be funny, too often. With such a nice plot I would have expected to be offered a deeper insight into the feelings of the characters and the way they evolve. Giving more weight to a couple events inside the movie and avoiding that rushed up ending would have probably offered the viewer a lot more emotions.

After scrolling through all those 10-star ratings I couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed by Castaway on the Moon. It had great potential, thanks to its refreshing approach to the classic castaway story. But while, from time to time, it will make you smile, it will also make you expect something more. Of course, waiting for that something will still be pleasant. Worth a watch.

A hidden gem of the far east

[oyahuasca · 10/10 · 21 November 2011]

Castaway on the Moon is a beautiful film about self-made reality and what is actually real, about our infinite connection to the natural world, and how nothing is ever final even when it seems so. Although the mainstream man will squirm and sigh at certain scenes where love is apparent, it is a part of the human world and this movie, so if you cannot handle it then it is not for you. I almost feel like not everyone is worthy of this movie. It has many instances of magical realism and fantasy. The atmosphere reminded me of Amelie. I would give it a 12 if I could.

This movie is a gift, watch it.

One of the most Creative Human Drama ever made in Korean Cinema that even puts many Hollywood flicks at shame for not exploring this theme properly.

[SAMTHEBESTEST · 7/10 · 7 July 2021]

Kimssi pyoryugi / Castaway on the Moon (2009) : Brief Review -

One of the most Creative Human Drama ever made in Korean Cinema that even puts many Hollywood flicks at shame for not exploring this theme properly. Castaway On The Moon reminded me of Classic American Biographical 'Into The Wild' (2007) but this time conflicts were shaped better and the additional romace made it much more creative product. A failed suicide attempt leads a heartbroken man to live a life in the wilderness. Halfway through i was blown away by the idea and then the girl factor came as a surprise to blow me even more. I was thinking of some emotional and heartbreaking ending while watching it but sadly it didn't happen. It did not end on high note or shall we say the way audience would have wanted and that's why i have reduced half the mark in the final rating. Rest, it is a sensational human drama, something we haven't seen or imagined before. It is a love story between a suicidal man turned castaway on Bamseom in the Han River and a Hikikomori woman who is addicted to Cyworld and this second side has given the film its own identity otherwise many people would have called it a remake or an adaption of 'Into The Wild', including me. What a brilliant idea it was. A man who didn't want to live feels like living now and the girl who never got out of the house finally gets out to meet a guy whom she had seen just in camera and pictures. Such a innovative love story it was but then a creative forming is hurt by the same romance. Nevertheless, it is still a great watch. Jung Jae-young's performance is heart touching. His screams, expressions, anger, struggle, cry everything left me in jitters. Jung Ryeo-won is fantastic too despite so narrowly written character. Director Lee Hae-jun deserves lots of praise for trying something new and sensation in human drama/romance genre even though he had fell just short at the end to deliver a classic. Who knows you might like it better so don't miss it.

RATING - 7.5/10*

By - #samthebestest.

The Koreans saw "Castaway", then proceeded to use the "stranded island" premise to make a surprisingly different film that's 10 times better.

[ebossert · 10/10 · 10 September 2010]

Note: Check me out as the "Asian Movie Enthusiast" on YouTube, where I review tons of Asian movies.

I would assume that the director of this film saw that Tom Hanks flick and said to himself, "Hmmm, this is a good idea. I think I'll take the same general premise and transform it into a unique romantic comedy that blows away genre conventions." He then proceeded to do exactly that.

Some reviewers will claim that "Castaway on the Moon" (aka "Moon") is a rip-off of the American flick "Castaway", but what exactly are the similarities between these movies? Let me tell you. (1) There's a guy who gets stranded on an island, but that barely counts as a "similarity" because in "Moon" the island is positioned *within the city limits.* A man in massive debt attempts suicide by jumping off of a bridge, but he survives and is washed ashore an uninhabited, tiny island on the Han river. Even though he clearly sees the nearby metropolis, he can't swim across the river to civilization so he just stays on the island for a while. How is this in any way similar to Tom Hanks being stranded *in the middle of the ocean*? Answer: it isn't the least bit similar. (2) There are various day-to-day events that are similar (e.g., starting fires, growing a beard, entertaining oneself in simplistic ways, etc.), but anyone stranded on an island would do these things and people have been doing them for the better part of humanity's existence. These were not invented by a Tom Hanks movie. (3) There's an emotional bond with a few inanimate objects. Yes, this is one element of "Moon" that could be considered a rip-off of "Castaway." But that's quite literally the *only* piece of evidence one could muster. Hardly a compelling case. Heck, it's so thin that it probably qualifies as more of a homage than anything else.

So what exactly makes "Moon" so *different* from "Castaway?" Well, for starters "Moon" is a friggin' *romantic comedy!* This is evident at about the 30 minute mark when a hikikomori is introduced. For those who are unfamiliar with hikikomori, it's a severe psychological condition whereby introverts isolate themselves within a confined area and refuse to interact with other people. What the heck does this additional character have to do with some dude stranded on an island? My dear friends, that's the reason why this film is so fantastic, why it demolishes romantic comedy genre conventions, and why assertions of "ripping off" Tom Hanks movies are short-sighted and ridiculous.

If one really wants to milk the comparisons between these films, "Moon" exposes the romantic elements of "Castaway" as run-of-the-mill and dull. Just imagine a Joon-ho Bong film mixed with Chan-wook Park's "I'm A Cyborg, But That's Okay" (2006) and you might get a feel for just how quirky and engaging "Moon" turned out to be. These characters are carefully crafted by first establishing a certain psychological flaw, then allowing the characters to slowly face those flaws through the introduction of the stranded island theme. But how do these characters bond if they're isolated from each other? Watch the movie and see.

Oh, and the previous reviewer might like to know that it was Hollywood who remade "A Tale of Two Sisters " (2003), "My Sassy Girl" (2001), "Il Mare" (2000), "Into the Mirror" (2003), etc. – all Korean movies. And they're planning on remaking more because it's Hollywood that has run out of ideas. If you think Korean films have no originality, you might want to check out "Welcome to Dongmakgol" (2005), "Save the Green Planet" (2003), "Crush and Blush" (2008), "Dasepo Naughty Girls" (2006), "Forbidden Quest" (2006), "Rules of Dating" (2005), "If You Were Me" (2003), "Iri" (2008), "Oasis" (2002), a Chan-wook Park film, a Joon-ho Bong, a Kim Ki-duk film, or about 50 other films that I don't feel like listing out.

You know what, I'll suggest that everyone watch "Moon" and "Castaway" in the same evening for proper comparison. It's obvious that the former has stronger, more interesting, more *creative* characters. A lot more time and effort was put into the script, and it shows.

Korean, funny, cute

[razandfall · 7/10 · 22 July 2015]

It's kinda a Korean variation on Cast Away, this time the guy get stuck on an island after a suicide attempts. Ironically this island is the middle of a river not far away from a city. Kim, the protagonist, represents all what society deems to be a loser: an indebted, underachieving, dumped-by-his-wife shell of a man. But stranded on this island, he reinvents himself with one (stupid) goal: cook some noodles, starting from scratch. It gives him the purpose he had lost in his mainstream life. And his renewed existence intersects with the one of another weirdo and evolves into something real cute.

Funny and touching at the same time, it's Korean, it's good.

An Extremely Unusual Story About Two Extremely Unusual Characters.

[CinemaClown · 22 March 2014]

An extremely unusual romantic comedy about two extremely unusual characters who fall in love in obviously an extremely unusual manner, Castaway on the Moon is a wickedly well-made & heartfelt work of creativity that in the end turned out to be an emotionally fulfilling & rewarding experience. Taking a leaf out of Cast Away & blending it with magical strands of love in a unique manner, this film is a fresh breathe of life that defies its genre conventions almost entirely.

Wonderfully written & directed by Lee Hae-joon with clever characterization & progression of the plot, richly photographed, finely edited, ably performed & calmly scored too, Castaway on the Moon may have few annoying moments & may not click with everyone but it's better if you go into this story completely unaware of its plot to make the most out of it. And although it might give an impression of being a Cast Away rip-off in its first act but soon you'll be kicking yourself for making that presumption for it's an entirely different film & probably better too.

Can't believe

[skk2001 · 4/10 · 14 January 2013]

Well i have seen this movie just yesterday was curious about it's rating OMG 8 on 10!!! Can't believe it. This film is slow and even i can say sometimes it has some good ironic peak you will find you asking why are you still watching this film. For sure it doesn't lack originality and in that way you should give it a try but you will have more fun watching the traffic outside of your window. I didn't loved the interpreters since they continue to play an over then dramatic expression giving me the taste of being watching a bad theater company. Well i guess many people will be going to yell at me but this film it's really not worth that scoring. Bye

A SUPERB FILM about the pressures of modern society!

[cremea · 9/10 · 5 April 2012]

Castaway on the Moon is a 2009 Korean film about 2 people who don't want to interact with society or others anymore. It's a sublime under the radar film (to U.S. audiences anyway) that's definitely worth a watch. I caught this film when it first came out a few years ago, and just watched it again recently. Bottom line; it's competently made, totally engrossing, and absolutely terrific...HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

First and foremost, this film has nothing to do with living on the moon, or being stranded on a far away desert island for eternity; it's actually the polar opposite! Some people (I call them morons) will try to explain that this movie is very similar to/a rip off of the American film 'Castaway" starring Tom Hanks. Although there are some parallels to be drawn, these two films have only one thing in common (i.e. there's a guy that's separated from society). Don't get me wrong, I actually like Tom Hanks' "Castaway" quite a bit, but aside from the fact the both film's protagonists are stuck on an island, these two films aren't really related to each other whatsoever; the primary difference being one movie's protagonist wants to get back to his life, and the other wants to escape it.

What this particular movie is about is a guy who's essentially tired of, and has been beaten down by, the "rat race" that is his life in modern society. He wants to "end it all" by committing suicide, but he fails in doing so, and is subsequently presented an accidental opportunity to "escape from it all" instead. After some initial resistance, he soon comes to fully embrace this opportunity he has been given. On the parallel side, this movie is also about a very odd girl who's afraid of society and can no longer cope in order to function within it. She's long ago "shut herself off" (or, perhaps, "shut herself in", would be more appropriate) from interacting with anyone on any type of personal level.

As the film progresses, these two main protagonists (who pretty much occupy 95+% of the screen time), slowly form an unconventional bond via highly unusual means, and they each come to rely on one another more and more as time goes by while they both try to overcome their own societal fears, concerns, and issues, as best they can.

The way the main characters interact with each other from a distance throughout the entire film is unique, profound, and charming. Both the primary actor and actress are spot on perfect in their respective roles, and they both do a magnificent job of what's asked of them within the framework of the story.

Ultimately, all this really boils down to is just a simple & finely paced film that it is immensely watchable and quite enjoyable. In many ways, it's also a fine little parable regarding what modern society has become over the years, and how we all must interact within it, or face getting left behind.

Personally, I could hardly look away from this film. It's equal parts odd, funny, sweet, sad, beautiful, and it is Borderline Brilliant! What more can I say?...other than; "Korean cinema does it again!"

Highly Recommended! Not Optional Viewing! This is a MUST SEE Film!!!

9 out of 10 stars!

Weird, funny,amazing, words can't really describe enough

[Misss25 · 8/10 · 21 May 2021]

This is the most weird, amazing survival movie, I have seen far. It is full of weird stuffs, survival techniques as well as good moral ''Never lose your hope''. Besides,It works as spell on viewers. It is hard to get distracted while watching this. It's funny moments are really hilarious. The main leads are superb ,and I really can't comment about male lead, he is just too good:)

Charming

[dbborroughs · 8/10 · 21 June 2010]

Unique film about two misfits trying to connect. He's a failed suicide trapped on an island in the middle of a river, she hasn't left her room in three years. Some how they find each other and find the strength to find life.

Unique charming movie takes its own time getting to where its going and is all the better for it. This is a truly wonderful little film, that to be perfectly honest, I wasn't crazy about for the first hour. Where was this going I wondered? And then it clicked and and I suddenly found great wisdom and many smiles (and a tear or two) in this really one of a kind movie.

I'm going to be honest here and say I can tell you what happens but I can't tell you what its like to experience this film. There is just something wonderful that happens as you watch this film and see these two misfits find a better part of themselves.

Do me a favor and just see this film, and stay with it all the way to the end and I think you'll be rewarded.

Simply Amazing

[nelsonttsang · 10/10 · 16 February 2013]

This movie leaves me amazed at the beauty of simplicity. The film probably doesn't have a huge budget and doesn't use a lot of actors, but this doesn't mean it's not a good movie, in fact, it is the opposite, by being small and simple, makes it not only one of the best Korean movie, but one of the best movie in the world. The cast is simply brilliant, both the male and female lead expresses every ounce of emotion so well that you 'commit' to the film in an entirely different way, you feel connected to these people and you care about what happens to them like you know them. Even the people who makes a short appearance like the mother and the delivery boy does their part so well it makes you want to find out what other movies they were in.

The entire film is so brilliantly put together with the writing, scripts and editing that in my opinion, it can make big Hollywood blockbuster look like a child produced it. It has what most movies lack nowadays and that is 'Heart', you can really tell that the person who directed and produced this film loves it like their only child.

To sum up, although it is one of the lesser known Korean film, everything in this film is in my opinion faultless and I genuinely hope more people watch it. It completely changed my perspective on what is loneliness, isolation and happiness.

Quirky and cute

[gbill-74877 · 7/10 · 9 August 2021]

This romantic comedy out of Korea isn't a profound work of art, but it's a cute enough way to spend a couple of hours. It's elevated somewhat by its themes of isolation in the internet age and mental health issues resulting from social media, and I wish those had been explored a little more. It plays more with being quirky and cute, and settles itself in for a very conventional ending that probably took a little too long to get to. Overall it's fun and has its moments (including inducing a craving for black bean noodles!), but I'm not quite sure it's worthy of it's very high average rating.

Castaway on the Moon...a great story of survival!

[KnatLouie · 8/10 · 6 May 2010]

This story is about a young man, who has lost his will to live, and decides to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge. He jumps out, and falls into the water, only to wake up some time later, washed up on the shore of an island in the middle of the city, under a bridge.

When he finally comes to his senses again, he decides that he wants to live, and tries to escape the island, but there is apparently no way out, except by boat.. and he doesn't have a boat. After a while, he realizes that there is no way off the island, so he decides to just survive on the island until he'll be rescued.. it's probably going to happen sooner or later, so he just makes himself comfortable until that day.. but he waits.. and waits...and waits.. until he suddenly gets a note from a lonely girl who has been watching him from her house for some time, thinking that he's an alien that has been sent from space to keep her company. Through messages in the sand and by bottle-mail they exchange words (in the "alien" English-language for some reason), and develop a tight relationship, despite the distance between them.

I found the film to be very entertaining, as the main character is a very funny actor, and the script always finds new ways to come up with creative solutions to everyday issues (when living on a deserted island), and the love story between the two weirdos is also quite moving, with a good surprise ending to finish the film on a high note.

Good movie, terrible marketing

[KineticSeoul · 7/10 · 26 September 2012]

A man that is down on his luck and has nothing to lose decides to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge. But ends up stranded on a small island near Han river. Which is quite intriguing cause the city is very close by but he has no way of reach out and escaping. And everything he does to escape seems to backfire. But that ain't the whole story their is also a female lead that is isolated from the real world although there are people around her. People are close and yet they are isolated from society and except one has a choice the other doesn't. And their circumstances intertwine. Their is quite a bit of psychological aspect to this movie how both characters are so adapted to their environment that escape almost seems impossible. This movie makes you appreciate the little things in life. While also having a bit of good Korean humor and irony. Especially the part with the noodle guy. Some people seems to compare this to castaway but they are both different movies from each other. Yeah some elements are similar but the direction and the message is different. Has themes about healing and earning something is sometimes better than getting it for free and although some scenes are awkward but it's understandable. When life hits you hard their has to be hope. Unfortunately the marketing of this flick is crap, the poster made it out to seem like a lame kids movie but that is not it at all. You don't know the characters all that well though and they just didn't seem all that fleshed out to care for them as much. And their are some unanswered questions but somethings are better left to the audiences imagination. Although some audiences might want a bit more development and answers.

7.8/10

Life on an Island in Seoul Can Be Trying!

[alisonc-1 · 8/10 · 19 July 2010]

In Castaway on the Moon, the life of young Kim Seong-geun is falling apart: he lost his job when the company went under, his girlfriend left him and the $75,000 loan he took out from so-called "interest-free" Happy & Cash Loans has morphed into a whopping $209,000 because of missed payments. So, with nothing left to live for, he decides to kill himself by jumping off a bridge into the River Han, which runs through the heart of Seoul. Surprisingly, he finds himself coming awake on what appears to be a deserted island - yet he can see Seoul not more than a few hundred yards away! Unfortunately, he can't swim and for reasons he cannot fathom, people passing by on ferries assume he's waving instead of calling for help. Then, the battery on his cell phone dies - not that anybody he calls believes his story of being stranded on an island in the middle of the city anyway - and he has to decide how he can survive on his own in the "wild"....Meanwhile, there's a young woman in the city who's so agoraphobic that she's stayed in her room in her parents' house for the past three years, creating a fantasy world for herself online and adhering to a strict regimen of diet and exercise; her only hobby is to take photographs of the Moon from her window at night, using a high-powered camera. On only two days of the year - a 20 minute period in the Spring and one in the Fall when the Civil Defense System runs a drill which requires everybody to stop their vehicles or go indoors - does she have the opportunity to take photos of the city, which she loves to do because then it looks as empty of people as the Moon does. On one such special day, however, her camera spots Kim Seong-geun, and because of his, to her, inexplicable behaviour, she immediately decides that he's an alien. She becomes fascinated with him and starts observing him through her camera, as he slowly learns how to catch fish and birds and eventually to cultivate edible plants that he grows from undigested seeds found in the poop of birds. Over time, she finds a way to leave her room without being seen, in order to toss messages in bottles to him; he responds by writing in the sand. For some reason, this communication is only in English, not in Korean, so he assumes the bottle-writer must be a foreigner and since she already believes he's an alien, she doesn't think anything of it at all. How long can this new way of life last for Kim Seong-geun, and will he ever learn the identity of his correspondent? And what might happen when typhoon season approaches? This is a very sweet movie; it's mostly very funny, but occasionally there's a bit of pathos too, and the audience at FantAsia was so taken up with the characters that we all were cheering the moments of triumph that occur throughout. The young woman with social anxiety mirrors what is apparently a serious social problem in Asia: young people who lock themselves in their rooms for years at a time, living vicariously through the Internet and supported only by their parents' continued good will. I thought it an interestingly realistic touch to bring into this surely fantastical film, but the truly wonderful thing about it is its heart. It even made me, no noodle lover at all, feel hungry for black bean noodles!

captures illusions around and no longer around, two treated-differently-in-opportunity, fragiles

[welshnew50 · 7/10 · 7 May 2014]

Despite a few flaws, this movie is a successfully reductive but also growth-stimulating , when reductive, fantasy ; of two very different, but content in their differences escapists in modernity, finding a private despite its absurdly public location, emotional space between themselves - after the less so drawn into the net , identity-precarious one, loses everything, and decides somewhat absurdly, to abandon city life upon a inlet island(after accidentally arriving there, that is) , soon preferring his own not quite right 'rationalisations' relative to all he'd thought he'd worked for , while the other, gradually finds the space between them a windowsill-like escape route she CAN take, unlike what she cannot, if she chooses to face her parents.

An excellent start.

though a little contrived one might say of the plot, this film is almost perfectly shot, only some scenes a little narrow, but that's kind of appropriate anyway ...

But much more to its credit than how its been shot, are some of the uses of living amongst others, no-space - no-choice but to learn to live with , ironic or sardonic futilities that get the marooned stiff a little loose as he gets progressively less able to find his 'rationalisations' useful , lol, poor sucker! while at the same time, the emotionless-ness of the other character, simply ignores his plight, almost as we are all as she is , up to a point, that is... as we observe more of her obsessions and a little stereotyped isolations and quirks, she begins to lose them , finding in this separated from the rest of the city man , a kind of increasingly thick a nest , to perhaps settle down on (did I say on? , I mean in, oops! ;-D ) , which almost dimension-ally at times, she can observe perversely, in REAL 3D , unlike everything else.

As he suffers of course, the plot comes to an end , as does the movie, and our own voyeurism , and it could be said , to be that simple, despite its effectiveness.

I think that's a good thing in this case tho , and that that has made more time for aesthetic and effective combinations of photography, perspective, edited script rather than something too long, and detachment-metaphised between the two as I said, while between them is a gigantic mirror in itself - the reflection off the water of the river. its no romeo and Juliet, and certainly much browner(Gnomio perhaps? ), but again, that's a good thing.

Serandes under the moon just put u to sleep ... yawn.

this makes for a grand metaphor in a compact, emotional, and easy to follow film.

re-watchable, and evocative. damn good effort.

Lost in the most quirky way

[Atavisten · 9/10 · 18 October 2010]

The English title reminds me of something horrible with a screaming mongo called Tom Hanks in it, but quite luckily this is it's counter pole. This is original, witty and honest at the same time.

Two oddball characters finds each other in the strangest way from their chosen isolation from everyday life and pressure where they in respective ways create their own realities.

This also asks the important question, how can you ever get back a dish of black bean noodles, once refused? In other words a movies about the important things in life.

The lead actress was amazing and the castaway did well also.

Simple is beautiful

[kgrayson82 · 10/10 · 3 May 2020]

This movie is so touching and endearing. I have to say, I was moved to tears. Not tears of joy, or sadness, I'm not sure what they were. Maybe tears of empathy for the main character. To find the purest distillation of what truly makes us happy in life and to live in that joy is so warming to the soul. There is very little conversation in this move so don't worry about subtitles, you can just watch and enjoy. My wife loves this movie, she won't watch anything she has to read. I mean NOTHING. She had recommended this movie to probably everybody she knows. And that's the best review I can give this movie.