ALTK, Rain and films of Chan-wook Park

[alexandral]

+ I have finished "A Love to Kill", Korean drama with Bi(Rain) in the main role. I was rather obsessed whilst watching it; it made the same impact on me as Dostoyevsky’s books, totally wreaking my soul and at the same time not letting me go. I love, love, love ALTK! I posted more on ALTK and screen caps here, in dorama_chat

+ After watching ALTK I am in a state of "this is the best thing in the world" with the main lead, Korean actor/singer Bi (Rain). Hmm, I did check up his singing and I am not sure about that, though he is very popular in Asia. But his acting is great and he is way beyond gorgeous:



+ Bi/Rain was born on the same day of the year as me. :)

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- But the good, good news for me are that Bi/Rain is a main lead in the new film of one of my favourite directors of Asian cinema, Chan-wook Park. The film's title is ""I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK" EEEEEEE!

- Chan-wook Park is one of the most critically recognised directors in Korea and Asia and is most famous for his trilogy about vengeance – "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance", "Oldboy" and "Lady Vengeance". "Oldboy" won Grand Prize of the Jury of Cannes Film Festival in 2004. I have watched two of his films, "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance" and "Oldboy".

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, the cover:



- "Sympathy for Mr.Vengeance": When I first watched this film I was in shock. I didn’t know if I loved it or if I hated it, but, Oh boy – it made a strong impact on me! It felt totally and utterly Shakespearian, like "Titus Andronicus" of our days.
The film discloses the ugly nature of life and the utterly destructive nature of vengeance and violence. At the same time it is filmed beautifully and has some absolutely touching stories of love and loyalty. And there is a lot of quirky goodness there too.

Oldboy, the cover:



- " Oldboy":. I was more prepared for "Oldboy" and I liked it very much too. It is a story of revenge too: the main protagonist, Oh Dae-Su was caught by unknown person/people and imprisoned in some mysterious place for 15 years. When Oh Dae-Su is suddenly released he is trying to find the answers and fulfil his revenge.
It is a very, very strange story. Apart of scrutinizing consequences of vengeance it talks about the nature and the pathways of memory. I loved it, but again – o boy! It has some shocking scenes! My favourite one is when upon his release Oh Dae-Su eats an octopus alive :)

- So when I heard that Rain is going to take part in the new film of Chan-wook Park’s "I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK", I thought : "Aha! May be some more vengeance?". But it seems like this film is an absolute opposite, a quirky love-story which takes place in the mental hospital. Here is the link for the trailer: Hmm, I am so not sure about Rain’s haircut there!!!!!!

Comments

[catdecember.livejournal.com]

oh my gawd, i love Park Chan Wook's films! Old Boy is one of the most disturbing movies ever, but its very cleverly done. i have yet to see Mr Vengeance but i did see the last installment of the Revenge series ...., Sympathy for Lady Vengeance which was ok. i also like JSA . :)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

i also like JSA

Do you mean "Joint Security Area"? I haven't seen it. Is it a war movie? Sad???

Sympathy for Lady Vengeance which was ok

I haven't heard anything particular great about this film, but I will still watch it when I see it. I am a completist. :)

is one of the most disturbing movies ever, but its very cleverly done

Did you see the ending coming? It was one of the rear cases when I guessed the ending. :)

And I couldn't get rid of the feeling that the actor who played the main protagonist, Min-sik Choi, did looks JUST LIKE Tony Leung (who is one of my ever favourite actors).

[djdysfunction.livejournal.com]

JSA isn't really a war movie. It's more of a mystery thriller that takes place at the North/South Korean border patrol. It's a really well done movie. Anything I've seen by Chan-wook Park has been top notch.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you so much for the info. I am definitely going to find JSA now. I loved the elements of mystery in "Oldboy". Scenes with Dae-su Oh in the prison were like a part of some dark dystopic sci-fi/mystery for me.

I must watch "Lady Vengeance" too..

[silverteeth.livejournal.com]

Lady Vengeance doesn't get much love, but it's a great film.

I loved JSA too, but a word of warning: there's a bit of English dialogue in it that is painful for native speakers to listen to.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Lady Vengeance doesn't get much love, but it's a great film You are the second person to say this today, so I am feel that I want to watch "Lady Vengeance" VERY SOON. :)

I loved JSA too, but a word of warning: there's a bit of English dialogue in it that is painful for native speakers to listen to.

Bad subtitles = things of evil, but they are still better then when films get dubbed. I am not particular keen on dubbed films.

[djdysfunction.livejournal.com]

Yeah, if I had to compare JSA to something, I'd think maybe "The General's Daughter" simply because they both have the mystery thriller aspect mixed with the military. But honestly, JSA is so far above The General's Daughter, it kind of hurts my feelings to have even typed that.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

But honestly, JSA is so far above The General's Daughter, it kind of hurts my feelings to have even typed that.

I know what you mean :). Though there were some good things in "General's Daughter".

Altogether recently there seems to be many many interesting things coming from Asia, and many Hollywood remakes of Asian films are getting made.

[msminpdx.livejournal.com]

Old Boy and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance are two of my favorite films, and I'm in awe of Park Chan-wook. I liked Sympathy for Mr Vengeance a lot, too. Not quite as much as the other two in the Vengeance Trilogy, but my reasons were personal. JSA is outstanding: taut, provocative, and smart. I'm looking forward to I'm a Cyborg, but That's OK. Not only is there the appeal of a new film from Park, but I think Rain is hot. (Plus, I set my first novel in a mental hospital, so I want to see where this story goes with that concept.) Unfortunately my Korean blows so I'll have to wait for it to come out on DVD, unless I can find a screening with English subtitles... torment when the damn thing's on in every cinema I pass! :-|

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Not only is there the appeal of a new film from Park, but I think Rain is hot.

EEEEE! Can't agree more with this.

Setting of the film in the mental institution opens many possibilities for exploring. Ever since watching "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", well even earlier - since watching "The Black Obelisk" I am quite fascinated with the subject myself :)

torment when the damn thing's on in every cinema I pass!

Not where I live :). But I guess it will get here soon.

[catdecember.livejournal.com]

JSA is yes, Joint Security Area. that was a good one. its not awar movie, but a bit of angsty-drama-ish. that movie made me like Lee Byung Hun. :)

i guessed the ending of Old Boy but it still was really good. :D

omg, i love tony leung. but choi min sik is also a great actor. he's bad-ass. :)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

JSA is now on my list "To watch urgently". Angsty???? Bring it on!! (And thank you for the rec!)

he's bad-ass.

He looks like one too :). It is funny, sometimes one cane guess actor's personality from their roles :)