Joint Security Area

[alexandral]

I have watched “Join Security Area” this weekend, the film of critically acclaimed Korean director Chan-wook Park. It is very different from his later created famous Vengeance trilogy (“Sympathy for Mister Vengeance“, “Oldboy” and “Lady vengeance”) but at the same time you can clearly feel the same theme of exploring ultimate results of human emotions there. “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance” was probably THE most shocking film I have ever seen and “Oldboy” is only second because I went to watch it already prepared. JSA is not a shocker, nor it is full of violence, it starts and moves almost quietly, almost like a theatrical play, but it gathers momentum as it goes, on emotional and visual level.

StoryThe border between North Korea/South Korea: In the remote North Korean military post two North Korean Soldiers are killed and one injured by a South Korean soldier. Two sides have two completely different stories to tell and it doesn’t take long for every word to be questioned. Sounds like a whodunit? And it starts like one indeed, but it ends up being a Shakespearean-like tragedy. Chan-wook Park is an Asian master of Shakespearean tragedy, I think. :D Film has male friendship that is larger then life, a nation that is divided and in a war with itself, spilled blood and angst.

On a personal level I felt very touched by the story of divided Korean nation as being told in the film. I know this is something that I knew from the time I was a child – there is North Korea and South Korea. But what it is for Korean people? I never thought about this seriously before.

The verdict? I liked it very much indeed and would recommend this film wholeheartedly.

Actors Two main leads, Lee Byung Hun and Song Kang Ho make this movie to be what it is. I have seen and noticed Song Kang Ho before, but Lee Byung Hun is a new name for me (And I liked him enough to start looking for his pictures/films/dramas obsessively). I would love any recommendations!!!

Small pictural evidence of Lee Byung Hun’s great qualities:
















This film with Lee Byung Hun I really want to see, A Bittersweet Life, also starring Shin Min Ah (from A Love to Kill)








PSCross-posted in korean_cinema, Here

Comments

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

This movie looks very interesting - I will most definitely note it down.

And it is good to hear that this film is different from "Oldboy" - because even if I liked that it was not a comfortable viewing experience and at times it nearly lost me with all the crazyness.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I liked that it was not a comfortable viewing experience and at times it nearly lost me with all the crazyness.

I know!! But I totally loved it for it's originality and crazy qualities of the main lead, though thinking more I prefer "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance" . Mr. Vengeance's plot is just so strong and moving, without going overboard with drama-like brother/sister relationships.

But yep, Joint Security Area is a different story altogether, if anything for some reason it reminds me WW2 films.

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

Joint Security Area is a different story altogether, if anything for some reason it reminds me WW2 films.

Ooo - well I do like my WW2 films so that sounds excellent to me.

And on a sidenote I must say that I have become very attached to this Marc Antony icon. He is by no means my favorite character - but there is just something with the glare in this picture. me likes. :D

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I really liked that moment - Marc Antony was sitting on a bench thinking (visibly) – “Am I going to die in the next 5 minutes?” and he was getting VERY ANGRY. And when he killed Quintus I for the first time thought “OMPH! I like this guy so much!!”

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

Hee! I know!And it was the casual way he did it - so swift an elegant. Purfoy did an excellent job with that scene. Also, there was some satisfaction in seeing Quintus die.

Eee! I'm so glad Rome is back. I predict many more cool moments - as well as moments of utter heartbreak!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Hee! I am already anticipating who is going to be the next pairing for Vorenus. :D

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

Really? Any theories? *g*

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I hope they will bring someone new. I am a shallow OTP girl. :D

[vierran45.livejournal.com]

I saw A Bittersweet Life a couple of years ago at the Helsinki International Film Festival and thought it was an ok action film, but otherwise not that special (very brief comment on the film here (http://vierran45.livejournal.com/73307.html).

I did notice Lee Byung Hun in it, however, and originally watched JSA largely because of him and ended liking the film quite a lot.

I just checked Drama Wiki, and it seems he has been in quite a few dramas in addition to doing film roles as well. Then again, he is in his mid-thirties, so he has already had time to appear in a lot of roles during his career.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the link to your post - it made me want to see "Bittersweet life" even more, but for the wrong reasons. (storyline is so much ALTK :D )

Then again, he is in his mid-thirties, so he has already had time to appear in a lot of roles during his career.

I think the last drama he made was in 2005, but he was busy in some good films, like "Three Iron" (the other film I want to watch). And EEEEEE! He is probably my second Asian obsession who is not "absolutely ridiculously young" (after Takuya of course :))

[vierran45.livejournal.com]

He is probably my second Asian obsession who is not "absolutely ridiculously young" (after Takuya of course :))

I feel just like you about the age thing. Almost all the members in my fictional dorama harem seem to embarrassingly young. Heh, I was ridiculously happy to find out that Joo Jin Mo (the lead in "Queen of the Game") is in his thirties as well.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I feel just like you about the age thing. Almost all the members in my fictional dorama harem seem to embarrassingly young. Heh, I was ridiculously happy to find out that Joo Jin Mo (the lead in "Queen of the Game") is in his thirties as well.

Oh, he is gorgeous. I want to see “Musa” very much. I am not overly worried about the age , because after all this is all a FANTASY land for me and I don’t really want to meet any of them in RL because I guess I am in love with their roles first and actors (the second). It is like when I watch a film/show I live through lives of the characters and feel like I am inside the show. (EEEEEE! I am ranting away, sorry). But it is nice to see someone a bit older every now and again too. :D

[vierran45.livejournal.com]

Yes, of course this is just fantasy land, but every now and then it feels embarrassing to be squeeing over some pretty 20-year-old boy and his role characters :P. It's always fun to see that there are older actors as well who have the same effect *g*.

And having now watched 7 episodes of My Girl, I have already added Lee Dong-Wook and Lee Jun-Ki to my harem :). EEEE! The ending of ep 7!!!!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

every now and then it feels embarrassing to be squeeing over some pretty 20-year-old boy and his role characters :P

It is a guilty pleasure and they are THE best in life. :D Funnily my favourite Western actors tend to be "my age", but Asian actors much much younger. :D

And my girl is fabu!!! Lee Jun-Ki is unearthly pretty. :D (oh, new drama with Lee Jun-Ki !!! Come quickly!!!)

[vierran45.livejournal.com]

But there are so many pretty young Asian actors out there :D.

IIRC, the new LJK drama won't start until March. *pout*

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

But there are so many pretty young Asian actors out there :D.

This is what is so great about the whole Asian entertainment for me. :D Where do they take so many from???

[ginger001]

I'm in the oposite situation: I've seen A Bittersweet Life but I haven't seen Joint Security Area, although I want to see it too!

A Bittersweet Life is very good but really tragic and Lee Byung Hun is more than fantastic in it!!!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I absolutely rec "Joint Security Area", it is not a "loud" film, but very thought-provoking one. (And it doesn't hurt that Lee Byung Hun does such a good job :D)

And thank you for the Bittersweet Life rec - I feel I am bound to like it, if even for the wrong reasons. :D

[allbloomedout.livejournal.com]

This movie sounds really interesting. I'll write it down :) Lee Byung Hun is very handsome. I don't think I've seen any of his dramas/films. I've downloaded one of his movies the other day Bungee Jumping of Their Own but I haven't seen it yet. Oh yeah, I was planning of dl A Bittersweet Life, I found the link at jdramas: http://community.livejournal.com/jdramas/1010021.html#cutid1

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

EEEEE! Thank you! I must say I was very tempted to download (though I prefer not to download films), but the links don't work anymore. I think I have found it in DVD rental, I will see if I can get it this week.

I am looking forward to your posts about his films!!!

[allbloomedout.livejournal.com]

I think I have found it in DVD rental, I will see if I can get it this week. You're welcome! The links still worked when I still checked now. You just need to change it to hxxp to http. I'm glad you found it in DVD rental place. Can't wait to read your review on it! ^_^

I am looking forward to your posts about his films!!! I haven't thought about doing movie write up before. Maybe I should try it next time! I probably won't get to watch his Bungee movie anytime soon. I have lots of reading to do since I spent my weekend overdosing on Hana Yori Dango. ^_^

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I haven't thought about doing movie write up before. Maybe I should try it next time! I probably won't get to watch his Bungee movie anytime soon. I have lots of reading to do since I spent my weekend overdosing on Hana Yori Dango. ^_^

I just got to watch HYD 2 episode 1 and I feel so much glee. This is going to get me through the period when “The Snow Queen” will be over. Hanazawa Rui is incredible wearing all the white clothes and playing a violin. :D

[allbloomedout.livejournal.com]

I just got to watch HYD 2 episode 1 and I feel so much glee. This is going to get me through the period when “The Snow Queen” will be over. Hanazawa Rui is incredible wearing all the white clothes and playing a violin. :D YAY! You're watching too! I love Rui!I can't wait for episode 3 this weekend! ^_^ Hopefully the rest of Snow Queen be out soon too!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Hopefully the rest of Snow Queen be out soon too!

I do too! I loved the ending of episode 13. :D

[allbloomedout.livejournal.com]

I do too! I loved the ending of episode 13. :D Me too! At least they are going to give us some happy memories before it breaks our hearts :)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I agree :D

[virgin-white.livejournal.com]

I totally *love* JAS! I hope they gave up the US remake. As an American, I was so embarrased to learn they were going to remake a film that is so rooted in Korean culture and history. Stupid U.S.of A. O_o Have to steal everything, and call it their own...Ack!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

It is such a special film - it made me think about the things I never thought of before. The documentary pieces of Korean division are stuck in my mind, I can't get rid of them.

And YEP - I don't think it will be easy to make a re-make. (especially without Song Kang Ho who was AWESOME in this)