Have you ever seen a Korean movie?
I think there are more interests in Korean dramas than in Korean movies among foreign friends these days. Movies which should contain every content in about two hours, may not be more difficult for foreigners and nor easy to sympathize with. Especially, famous Korean movies (such as Parasite and Old Boy...) give the impression that it is dark and uncomfortable to watch. Even me, mostly watch foreign movies rather than Korean movies, especially American movies, which have the biggest market in the world. As you all know, the scale of the American film market is enormous, so their technology, capital, and diversity of works overwhelm other countries.
How is Korean movie market? The movie market in Korea is quite large compared to the population. It is a country with a lot of people who are interested in movies, a lot of movie consumption yearly, and there are plenty of movie theaters as well. It is also a country that steadily consumes its domestic movies. Of course, action or SF movies still show limitations in technology, and dramas and romance movies often end with cliché-like content. Nevertheless, there are many good and interesting movies in Korea, too. I would like to introduce some movies that would be good for those who are interested in Korean movies.
Untold Scandal (스캔들 /2003)
It is a historical drama film set in the Joseon Dynasty (Joseon was the dynasty from 1392 to 1910 in Korea). The Korean word Sageuk(사극) is used to refer to movies or dramas directed based on old history with historical background. Korean Sageuk movies have a disadvantage in that they are not easy for foreigners to watch and understand deeply. If you don't know the historical background of the content, it may not be easy to start being interested in the pieces. In addition, it is quite difficult to convey subtle nuances to foreigners who are watching subtitles. Because the language in Saguek is also a historical tone, which is not used now. So, historical movies are not an easy choice when recommending movies to foreign friends. Nevertheless, the reason why I recommend this movie is because it is so beautiful firstly. This movie makes us feel a sense of stillness, elegance, and classiness. Even people who have seen a lot of Korean movies or dramas will think it has a new kind of mood in this movie. The actors' performance is good, of course. And various Hanbok(traditional Korean clothes) style is pleasing to the eyes of the viewers. In addition, above all, the content of this movie is a screen adaptation of the French novel 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses(1782)' and it is the Joseon Dynasty Version of the french novel. So, it would be more accessible and interesting than other historical films. The American film Cruel Intentions (1999) is also a remake based on the above novel, and it would be fun to compare the two movies. I recommend it to anyone who wants to see a beautiful and sad romance historical film.
Decision To Leave(헤어질 결심/2022)
It's a very recent movie. It was directed by Park Chan-wook, who is a famous film director in Korea(well known for a film like Oldboy) and this latest piece was not nervous watching it even for me(FYI, I'm not preferred to watch a cruel or dark movie) would I describe this film as a suspense romance movie? This film is not a funny or light movie. Also, it wasn't easy to become absorbed in the emotions or develop empathy for the situation of the characters in the film. But there was a strange charm. The lingering feeling keeps coming to mind after waching. The movie cannot help but mention the intense aura and acting of actors Park Hae-il and Tang Wei. The power of these two leads the movie, which is so amazingly powerful that I don't remember other characters in that movie. Park Hae-il is an actor who appears to be pure and innocent but, at the same time feels kin of perverted. Tang Wei gives a sensual and unpredictable feeling. Murder and violence are taking place in the movie, but the emotions and lines between the two are intense, so what remains is only romance in the end. It makes me think about what love is, why and how we fall in love, and what the consequences are. Since Tang Wei is a foreigner in the movie and in real world, there are many secnes that she cannot understand korean words. So, this made me see some Korean words from a new perspective during watching this movie (there are many scenes where Tang Wei looks up some words or lines she doesn't know using a dictionary) and this kinda feeling was also fresh for me. It is said that there are many hidden metaphors and symbols in this movie, so I should look for them on YouTube.
Happy Ending VS. Unhappy Ending
I introduced two movies about love today. In writing, I realized the ending of the two movies is quite similar. I won't write the ending because i don't give any spoilers here, but anyway it is interesting that the end was similar even i was not intended. Both films feature famous actors in Korea, so if you are interested in Korean movie, it would be good to watch them.
영어를 사용하는 원어민에게 내 글의 수준이 어느정도이려나.. 영어를 한국에서 배운 한국인인지라, 수려한 문장은 전혀 아닐테지만 그래도 내가 의도한 바가 전달이 되고 있겠지. 오늘의 영어공부도 끝!
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