My Love : A Movie Review

My Love

"My memories of her are sometimes so real. The present seems more like a dream. Memories, they’re like the wind, you’ll never know how and when it’ll blow.”

One movie, 4 different stories of unwavering love and sacrifice.

Soo-jeong (Im Jung-eun) is a successful supervisor of an advertising firm who falls in love with her colleague, Jeong-seok (Ryoo Seung-ryong ) who's a widower with one child, despite all the rejections.

Se-jin (Kam Woo-seong) is a lonely lover who still lives in the memory of his lost love Joo-won (Choi Kang-hee).

So-hyeon (Lee Yeon-hee) A college student who's willing to learn how to drink a bottle of sojo just to be right next to the one she loves, Ji-woo(Jung Il-woo).

Jin-man (Uhm Tae-woong) is a free hug activist who's travelled the world and is back in Korean longing to reunite with his one true love after 6 years.

”You’re still stained like a tattoo in my heart.”

I’ve read that this movie is created to the Korean version of the Hollywood blockbuster hit Love Actually. I have watched both and I don’t think there should be any comparison. Both movies were beautifully created and the stories we’re unique in both ways.

In this movie, My Love, the director made little attempt to unite all the main characters, which didn’t really matter since the different stories were able to stand on its own. The characters were adorable and there is the chemistry amongst the couples that would make this movie one of my favourite rom-com’s. I was a bit confused with the flashbacks though. But it was necessary to nail the present situation so it was justified.

The total eclipse and the wishing tree of hope which wrapped up the movie were symbolic and heart warming. It was the scene that brought all the characters in one spot with the hope of a brand new love and faith that it will last for a lifetime.

This is a feel good movie that is sure to brighten up your gloomy day!

I would rate this 9 out of 10!

Heaven's Postman: A Movie Review

Heaven's Postman

“If one day you meet a stranger on the street asking I you have met before, in his dreams, you may want to give it a chance. It may not be pure lip service. It could be destiny.”

Jaejun is a postman from heaven sent to earth to sort out letters of longing and love from those people who were left behind by their loved ones. In a mailbox in a middle of the green field, Jaejun will meet Hana, a lady full of grief and hatred for her dead ex-lover.

Jaejun will introduce himself as a postman from heaven and will offer Hana a job. She will assist him sort out the letters and will help bring closure to those loved ones who were asking questions and seeking forgiveness. It was a hard task that they we’re able to do well, together.

Just when things were doing well, it was time for them to part ways. Slowly they just realized they were falling for each other. Jaejun then confessed to Hana that the only reason why she can see her is because of her grief and longing for her dead ex-lover. However since things have changed, time will come that she lose sight of him.

Kim Jaejoong as Jaejun

Han Hyo-Joo as Hana

I came across this film all because of Kim Jaejoong and I am glad that it didn’t disappoint me. Since I started becoming a fan of him, I made it a point to watch his every movie and series. And this film I’m sure is one of the best. I love his character, mysterious, it suited him well. His husky voice and beautiful, angelic face made it a complete package and it just drove me crazy. And if he’s one of the angels in heaven, I’m sure that it’ll be a perfect place to be when earth is through with me. :D

 

The cinematography was well done. The shots, especially in the green fields were the mailbox is, is just breathtaking. I could just imagine standing in the middle of the field with the soft green grass covering the ground, blue skies up above and strong wind with lavender scent blowing your hair. That’s just perfect and that’s how the movie pictured it out for me. I love how this movie was able to play with the contrast of colors, it’s very soothing to the eyes. The locations were remarkably planned as well, they were able to depict the characters especially the lighthouse and the old man’s house.

 

The story is a fairytale with a very simple plot, well written and direct to the point. I like how each character connect and was able to bring a deeper meaning to the story. When I thought the movie was predictable, then it gave a great twist towards the end that would leave you smiling and satisfied.

I would rate this 9.5 out of 10!

Boracay : Summer 2013

This is definitely one summer that I wouldn’t forget. This is the first time that I had a chance to have a get-away with my daughter. Relax, unwind and just enjoy the sun and the sand.

Boracay is one perfect place to enjoy the summer. There you’ll find the best seashore with sand as soft and white as powder. The beach is crystal clear, so hard to resist. And when I thought their sunset is overrated, I was stunned when I got to witness it myself. It was stunning, magical. It would leave you starring in total awe as the sun kisses the waters and disappears. 

Looking for your next destination? Boracay is definitely the place.

Daisy: A Movie Review

Daisy

“Flowers can deliver love but it can also deliver death.”

Title: Daisy
Also known as: 데이지 
Genre: Romance, Drama
Language: Korean
Complete: 2006

Daisy is a melodrama that talks about a love triangle between a simple sidewalk artist, a cold-blooded hit man and elite Interpol.Set in

The first day Park-Yi saw her was the day after he first killed a man. After that, he started delivering her a pot of daisy to her every day. They say the meaning of Daisy is hidden love and that's how Park Yi intends to keep his love from Hye-Young. Stationed in Amsterdam as a hired hit man, he knows that falling in love is not an option for him and that for a killer, a woman is a lot more dangerous than a gun. He needs to be careful. So from a far he watches over Hye Young.  He felt that if he pretends to be with her, his heart is pure.

Gianna Ju as Hye- Young

Woo-sung Jung as Park-Yi

Sung-jae Lee as Jeong-Woo

Jeong Woo is an elite member of the Interpol assigned in Amsterdam to investigate about the rampant drug trafficking between Amsterdam and Asia. While doing his undercover job, he met Hye-Young. It was by accident that they met. Jeong-Woo felt that Hye-Young had feelings for her when she told him about the bridge and the Daisies. He couldn’t tell her that he isn't the one. So instead of lying, instead of denying, he kept quiet and led Hye-Young to believe that he's the guy who has secretly loved her all this time.

Hye-Young's world crumbled down when she found out the real truth about Jeong-Woo and what he does for a living. Thinking that he has left her, she started to open her heart t Park-Yi who was there to give her comfort. However, as she was faced with the real identity of Park-Yi she must now choose between loving him and despising him. It's now a choice between hating, forgiving and loving the man whom you love and has loved all this time.

This is how unrequited and unconditional love can be. I love how the characters were able to successfully portray their roles and draw all the emotions of love, hate, pain and regret. This is one movie that would again bring you into tears and would sure crush you heart in the end.

 I would rate this 8.5 of 10!

Click HERE to watch full movie 

(Choose Speedy Joe)

Silenced : A Movie Review

Silenced (2011)

"In a world ruled by money and greed, would you speak up and fight for justice or be silenced?"

Silenced is based on a 2009 novel written by Gong Jee- Young entitled Dogani. It exposed the horrifying real story of the rampant sexual abuse to young deaf and mute students by the school authorities.

The movie starred Gong Yoo who played the role of Kang In-Ho who's a newly appointed teacher from Seoul who moved in to the foggy town of Mujin after given the opportunity to teach in Ja-ae Academy, a school for the deaf, mute and the mentally disabled. On his first day to this new town, he met Yoo-Jin played by Jung Yu-Mi who works for the town's Human Rights Center.  

Gong Pyo and Jung Yu-Mi

On his first day of teaching, he noticed something strange about the students. They all seemed distant and cold, something that he can’t explain. He tried bringing it up to his co-teacher only to be told that it's common for disabled kids to act that way and that disability in the body could lead to mental impairment.  

He tried separating his emotions from his work however this took a halt when he was faced with the truth behind the school's physical and sexual abuse. What unfolded in front of him were the confessions of a young boy and two girls of their grim and horrific experiences under the hands of the schools authorities. 

With the help of Yoo-Jin and the local human rights group, a detailed testimony of the constant beatings and rape of the young deaf and mute students were revealed. They exerted all efforts in finding out the truth as well as fight for justice. Unfortunately, money and power ruled above everything else. The entire community including the school staff, police, judge, prosecutors, doctors and even the church went through a great deal just to cover up the real ordeal. Their mouths were shut because of greed and they get enough compensation with their silence. Despite all the testimonies and physical evidences, including an actual video tape of the brutal molestation done by the school's principal,  the accused we're sentenced to minimum imprisonment and probation with a chance to bail.

The most beautiful and precious things in the world cannot be heard or seen, but only felt by the heart.   – Helen Keller

Director Hwang Dong-Hyuk was able to successfully convey the message to the viewers, stirring both the mind and the emotions. He was able to portray how twisted and sick justice can be.

The real event took placed on the year 2000 and no justice was served up until now. A trial of the said case that took place last 2005 was a clear depiction of how disgustingly greedy and corrupt one's society can be. This moved the entire South Korean community. Upon the release of this movie in 2011, it was noted that the South Korean internet portal was flooded with signed petition for the reinvestigation of the case.

This film has affected me so much and outrage is an understatement describing what I felt after watching it. The violence is so graphic and the pain so real I found myself crying over pity to those helpless kids. The victims were hearing impaired and for some mentally disabled. And under such fragile state those people who were supposed to protect them and nurture them were the one's slowly killing them physically and emotionally.

I would like to commend the three young actors for doing an exemplary job in portraying their roles. Considering how sensitive and disturbing the scenes, they sure were able to move their audiences with their performance.

Based on the research that I made, to date the school has been officially shut down however the case remains open after several other testimonies from students came out. Stories of more sexual abuse, orphaned students killed and bodies being buried within the school grounds.

*** "The 'Dogani Law,' named after the Korean title of the film, significantly increases the prison sentence (up to life imprisonment) for offenders abusing children under 13 and the disabled. Furthermore, the “Dogani Law” has also abolished a controversial clause, “inability to resist,” which had required victims, specifically those who are disabled, to prove that they were physically or mentally inept to resist properly when the crime was being committed—a loophole that gave sex offenders a way out."

***Source: Korean Beacon

I would rate this 10 of 10!

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