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Reviews
Haeundae (2009)
This is an insult to Asian (Korean) Cinema
The film Haeundae is more than a disappointment. This was just a marketing heist that tries to cover up for a very bad movie.
The crappy CGI, the shabby script (full of clichés) and retarded acting makes this the worst Korean movie in recent memory. The director of this film, J.K. Youn, has been notorious for literally copying American comedy hits of the past and 'translating' them into Korean for quick bucks movies.
Of course I didn't expect any originality or authenticity from the director J.K. Youn, but this movie just scrapes the bottom of the barrel... I mean this insults my intelligence! As a fan of Asian cinema and Korean cinema I was actually angry after watching this movie. There are great Korean filmmakers such as Bong Joon Ho (The Host) and Park Chan Wook (Oldboy). But when I see a film like this I began to wonder what kind of people make this kind stuff. I read that the production cost for this movie was more than that of The Host. Haeundae is just a waste of resources (as well as your time if you care to watch this) for copycat filmmaker with no imagination and poor visual effects.
Haeundae is not a disaster movie, it's major disaster itself!
Pen-teu-ha-woo-seu ko-kki-ri (2009)
A personal film about urban schizophrenia
I had a chance to see "Searching for the Elephant" at a film festival. Unlike the energetiv responses from the festival audiences, I heard that the Korean audiences had mixed reviews. I think this movie was misunderstood by many. The writer/director of the film seems to have portrayed a very personal tale regarding the psychological state of his 30 something generation in Korea. Despite harsh criticisms from many, I was touched by "Searching for the Elephant"for its raw and imaginative sequences. In a sense this is a 'coming of age' story of Korean young adults who had refused to grow up in the age of economic prosperity. I give it 10/10 more for how the story was told rather than what it was about. I recommend it for Murakami Haruki readers.
Salinui chueok (2003)
a great Korean film that delivers the frustrations of 1980's
This definitely is one of my favorite Korean films. On the surface "Memories of Murder" might appear as a simple cop-genre film. Yet underneath this costume lies an honest depiction of South Korea during the military dictatorship in the 80's. The lead actor Song Kang-ho's performance is outstanding as ever under the direction of Bong Joon Ho (The Host). The style and tone of the film constantly alludes and reminds the audience of the Japanese director Immamura Showei(Unagi, Vengeance is Mine), while the narrative structure seems too plotted according to the film's genre predecessors. For instance serial killer who gets stimulated by color red and rain while good/bad cop buddies come together in an expected fashion. However, I give 9/10 for its subtext rather than the film's outer appearance. Strongly recommend it!