jesse o
This is a typical South Korean rom-com. It plays into every damn stereotype you have ever seen with one of these movies. I'm not saying that there isn't some creativity in this country as it relates to this genre, but it's considerably less than in other parts of the world. I don't say that to be a dick about it, but it's just a matter of fact. I've seen so many of these movies and they all pretty much play out the same way. So what you will about American rom-coms, which I will say are, overall, worse than South Korean rom-coms, but there, from some people at least, an attempt at trying to subvert the conventional genre tropes. As much as I thought the film was heavily flawed, Trainwreck at the very least made an effort to sort of play with the conventions. Or you have a movie like 500 Days of Summer, which is an underrated masterpiece of the rom-com genre. Perhaps what I loved about 500 Days is the fact that the movie looks at it from one point of view and if you were to do a companion film, from the other point of view, it would be a completely different movie. I thought that was cool and that innovation is sorely needed in South Korea. I thought that, perhaps, having sex be a central theme of the film would've given the movie that edge, but it was not to be. I understand that South Korean audience is fairly conservative when it comes to the matter of sex. I've seen South Korean dramas where they blur out some slight showing of cleavage. Characters also rarely share passionate kisses, it's a peck on the lips and nothing more. And that's perfectly fine, but when you have a movie centered around a competition over who can make the best adult comic, I think some of that 'sex' should've transferred over to the actual characters. Not saying that they should've been fucking left and right, but there's a certain blandness to the characters that's undeniable. There's no denying that. The film is structured like usual. The first half is silly and 'funny', which is up for debate, and the second half is serious and dramatic. Not that it's annoyingly melodramatic, but it is somewhat dramatic and it's, honestly, a little tiresome at this point. There's one reason I keep watching these films, and it's not to complain about them, it's the fact that I actually do like the tone. I don't think I've reviewed a good South Korean rom-com in fucking ages, yet I keep watching them and that's because I do like the tone they put forward for the most part. There is, admittedly, something infectious and that's why I keep watching them. Part of me enjoys watching them even when I complain about them in the reviews. I'm not saying this movie is bad, far from it, it's only average at best, I just wish the end product was better. The acting is decent, there are some funny moments, but the film is just too bland and adheres far too much to formula to be what I would call a good movie. So, watch at your own risk.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
Audience Member
You know it's a great match when you find movie with perfectly matching and cute couple, loads of humour and laughter, and of course a teasing and sexy manhwa added all together.
While I enjoyed how the movie's humour as well as the relationship build up, what impresses and made the movie stood out was how cleverly the director mix and matches the scenes with manhwa especially when it comes to the more explicit content, which gives a sharp contrast to the real life casts who are more matured, toned down and funny. A definite refreshing perspective from the overly done and predictable romantic comedy available out there.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
01/15/23
Full Review
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