[Rearview Mirror 2020] Korean Movies

In 2020 I watched 54 Korean films. Majority of them (48) was experienced in the lovely company of my twitter friend: Mexochi. Below you can find the list of them, some with short info whether it's worth seeing or not. Also, I don't care about spoiler-phobic feelings, so yes, there are spoilers.

48th Baeksang Awards

   No, the ceremony will be held in April, but I started to stalk their website (link courtesy of KingKong Ent), and I came accross "popularity" part. Voting is from 3 parties: websites like Nate, Olleh, phone calls, and android app. Until April 23rd.

Mistaken identity

Learn the difference.

  

   I’ve been planning to write on this topic for a long, long time. Somehow other things got in a way and this was postponed. Finally, I had some time to spare and collect my (scarce) thoughts and write a post.

My affair with Korean entertainment developed into serious relationship, this is why so many things amuse me now. Fangirls are one thing, but illusions that fangirls have, are infecting, oops, I mean, influencing the journalism in Korea. And this is not about ‘we-all-know-which-website’ articles. This is about the trend that has roots in fangirls’ perception of their bubble world and how it affect the real world.

Ha Jung-woo interview

Actor Ha Jung-woo could have gone the easy route. His father, Kim Yong-geon, is a well-known film and television actor who could have ushered him into the business. But Ha chose to make it on his own. He changed his name, studied theater in school and eventually entered film. Since then, he has become known for playing strong, unconventional characters, including a serial killer in the hit film “The Chaser” (2008), a male prostitute in “The Moonlight of Seoul” (2008) and a ski jumper who is an adoptee in the 2009 film “Take Off.”

Entertainment in you

A treat for band members in US?

   There was this song by Depeche Mode , and I feel exactly like it. Because some men turn me into damn sinner.

Well, some gender-confused as well. Because I sin against my own gender for not looking as pretty as them. Plus, cursing also counts.

Yes, I did some cuts from Entertainment Weekly last episode.

Yucheon sweety, Ha Jung Woo, and Ga... I mean The Diva. Yes, you read that right. Because the rankings in EW is just becoming weirder by the day. This time topic: Kkotboda Namja. That is... hell, I think everyone knows what's coming. And everyone can guess the winner.

47th Baeksang Awards

47th Baeksang Awards 2011

Yucheon got 2, and Ha Jungwoo got 1. I'm heppey, yess...

Oh, and just to bitch over the "Best Drama" category. Personally I couldn't finish, and probably never will Secret Garden. 2010 had few better drama than this, and I seriously don't understand the hype. It wasn't bad drama, no, but you see, I'm on 36th episode of Gisaeng... and waiting impatiently for another episode, and it took me a month to move from episode 10 to 12 in SG. Gumiho: Tale of the Fox Child was by far better than this, Life Is Beautiful was better, hell, SKKS was better. Just don't get it.

Now you can throw rocks.

Again music and videos

   

   In Movie World, at the beginning, there was a comparison of few similar scenes in movie pairs. First pair was Glove and Silmido. And the second - Take Off and The Chaser. Don't have to explain who linked those movie pairs respectively.

So yes, a proper fan like myself made a cut.

JYJ synonym

The Oxford Dictionary classifies JYJ as the synonym to "troubles" used by some group of well... users. As for the origin of this word, let me quote it: "The use of JYJ in the sense of troubles comes probably from the proto-group original language called SMEnt-ese. This language, still used by few remnants of then-so-powerful habitants of Han River basin, is characterised by a very complex syntax and unique semantics that make the sentences incomprehensible to anyone outside the highly acquainted group of users". Examples of usage: Oh, I read some JYJ on the Nate! (meaning: I read that there has been some troubles in the Korean Entertainment world again).

Contemporary usage in the form of News cut below.

AFA Winners

Ha Jeongwu. I repeat - Ha Jeongwu!!

5th Asian Film Awards Nominees

Ha Jung Woo is nominated for the Best Actor in Yellow Sea. Apart from that, Poetry, Housemaid and Unjust. Oh, and TOP as the best newcomer. Hmm... I could have ranted on this, but I'll let it slide this time.

The full list of nominees is:

5th Asian Film Awards

The ceremony will take place on March 21st.

Cafe Noir and The Murderer

I mean cuts from movie shows.

But first, let me express my gratitude to all who ruined my second account by hotlinking. What is wrong with you all? I have nothing against downloading and re-uploading even claim the cuts as your own, I don't freaking care, but do not hotlink.

Omo, Omo, Omoooo!!

  Ha Jeongwu and Jang Hyeok in one movie. One of the best actors and one of the best bodies... Well, no, I'm unfair, JH is also a good actor, Ok^^... Ah, let me fangirl for a moment... So, you're forgiven for dropping out of the Secret Garden, although my heart aches still that I will not see you along Yun Sanghyeon... Shiiit, that reminds me of Sanghyeon's hair, brrr... change it, change it please.

The movie, tentatively titled as The Client, will be directed by Son Youngseong. Apart from Mr. Ha and Mr. Jang (the right Jang, not to confuse it with The Peach^^) in the movie stars also Park Heesun.

Trailers

  There are some movies that I'm waiting for. And today appeared the first trailer for The Murderer. Directed by Na Hongnim (yes, he directed The Chaser), and starring Ha Jeongwu and Kim Yunseok. Those gentlemen met on the plan of... The Chaser. So I guess we will get another heavy and intense tale. The story is about the man who lives near the Korean border running from his debts. One day, after returning to Korea, he is accused of murder and the game of who's chasing whom starts. Because the role of another assassin plays Kim Yunseok.

Ha Jungwoo

Name: 하정우 / Ha Jung Woo (Ha Jeong Wu)
Real name: 김성훈 / Kim Sung Hoon (Kim Seong Hun)
Profession: Actor
Birthdate: 1979-Mar-11
Education: JoongAng University
Do I have something for men born as Pisces? I guess it's their own sensitivity that allures me so...
Movies:
Yellow Sea / The Murderer (2010)
Love Fiction (2009)
And Us / Breakfast At Tiffany's (2009)
House / Boat 보트 / No Boys, No Cry (2009)
Parallel Life (2009)
National Athlete (2009)
You Don't Even Know / Jal-al-ji-do Mot-ham-yeon-seo (2009)
Beastie Boys / The Moonlight of Seoul (2008)
My Dear Enemy / Meotjin Halu (2008)
The Chaser (2008)
Forever the Moment (2008)
Never Forever (2007)
Breath (2007)
The Fox Family (2006)
Time (2006)
The Unforgiven (2005)
She's On Duty (2005)
Superstar Mr. Gam (2004)
Madeleine (2002) debut

TV:
H.I.T (MBC, 2007)
Lovers in Prague (SBS, 2005)
Age of Warriors (KBS1, 2003)
Honest Living (SBS, 2002)

If I say I admire this gentleman, that would be an understatement.

In 2009 he was nominated for Asian Film Awards (sometimes called Asian Oscars), but he lost to Motoki Masahiro (Departures). He was nominated for The Chaser. And not that I'm biased or something (OK, I am), but I think he was better. Motoki did what an average actor could do. Probably I'm in the minority that thinks this movie is not that great. He is the one I believe is able to give a new face to the hallyu, and to the cinema, not only Asian, or Korean one. His every performance is stunning. He doesn't have the weak role, even in a weak movie/drama. And we all simply admire, adore him over on D-A. He's worth every second of watching. I can watch a movie with him even without knowing what the movie is about, who directed it.

Take Off

   If you're not into ski jumping, just ignore this post. But if you are into Ha Jong Woo, like yours truly, watch this movie.
The main axis of this movie is completing the first national team of ski jumpers. While watching Winter Games in Nagano back in 1998, I had no idea about the hardship those guys went through.
The movie is based on the true story with dramatization and characters just for the film. As always.
 First we have a Korea-born man (Ha Jung Woo) who returns to his homeland after years in the US. He was adopted when he was 7. He carries with him the embitterment and he secretly hates the woman who sold him, and the country that didn't want him. Overpassing his personal tragedy, he decides to jump for Korea (he was in the US National Team of alpine skiers).
Then we have an ex-junkie, but talented sportsman (Kim Dong Wook), who is unaware of his non-existent boxing skills, and challenges whoever and wherever. Womanizer (unsuccessful) and hot tempered (successful), he is the exact opposition of calm and focused . Then we have the son of the restaurant owner (Choi Jae Hwan), who is abused by his father and in love with Chinese girl working illegaly at the place. Last, but not least, we have two brothers, the older (Kim Ji Seok), calm and closed, taking after his retarded younger brother (Lee Jae Eung) and grandmother.
All those young men face their military duty, and without them, lives of their families would be hard. So they are tempted by a coach (Song Dong Il), who offers them a parole from the army.