Bismillahirrohmanirrohim....
This is the place where I am
jotting down my daily lives, my experiences, travels, joys, and
things I cherish in life..
along with my family's journeys.
This has been a great and will
be a beautifully ridden life.
In short, did that, been there,
will be...all those vistas.
안녕하세요?...Welcome to Suray's World & Beyond
where you will see what I treasure and cherish in simple yet wonderful life.
I must''ve become so Korean-ized that I would not have felt this ease, had I not seen this much talked-about movie in Korea: 변호인 or The Attorney. Of course, I got to make up my mind when I decided to buy the ticket since I knew that the 2-hour movie would be full of Busan-dialect which surely tested my Korean language comprehension. ㅋㅋㅋ
But, boy oh boy...did I regret it? nope. I kinda liked the sensation of having to squirm my brain into 'understanding' the dialogues.
But..thank God..the well choreographed scenes did help me out in catching what's going on throughout the movie.
Now I understood as to why so many Korean people thronged to the theater for the past two weeks to watch this movie. Even I saw lots of middle-aged women and men (some in groups) watching this movie. Well, I learned that this movie's background was (they say--loosely) inspired by the former president Roh Moo-hyun's life before he entered politics. hmmm..that alone kinda worked to urge me see the movie. and it did for lots of Koreans.
(Oh...Hobbit; The Desolation of Smaug was not even the runner up of box office in Korea). wow..that's simply showing how powerful this movie is.
Starred by the famous Song Kang-ho (송강호) whom 99% of Koreans know well, this movie surely steal the hearts of movie goers by portraying how Korean society was back in the late 1970's and leading up to the early 1980's. Gosh..I was like "what-the-heck-was-going-on back then" I knew I had to brush up my Korean history class again.
If I am not mistaken, it must've had something to do with the then-president Chun Doo-hwan's military rule..which easily charged innocent people (as portrayed in the movie) by labeling them 'communist' so as to instill 'FEAR' within Korean society at that time.
and..THIS movie really scared the hell out of me...just by thinking of it.
I was drawn into the characters (most of them) since they sort of immersed themselves in portraying the people affected by the then-dictatorial rule. But, what captivated me for the most part was simply by the sheer portrayal of how a materialistic lawyer (attorney) turned or changed 180 degree to become a socially aware attorney--of course after some internal conflict!!
but boy....the movie did bring about its premise: bring out the joy and tears to (some) audiences.
But, I only cried once: ㅋㅋㅋ
when....the attorney (after his first success) brought his family to dine out in a small restaurant he needed to re-visit simply because he once ditched paying his meal 7 years ago--when he was still poor with no money at all.
The emotional meeting really overwhelmed me.
My verdict: (**** out of 5)
What I am now pondering about:
- that I should learn more about Korean history.
- that I should learn more and care more about my surrounding.
- 인맥 /인연 in good and positive sense is indeed important.^^
With the hype on the go for this newly released Korean movie, I couldn't wait to go rush myself to CGV in Friday morning before my weekly Friday prayer. ^^
I got enough (hardly enough) time to squeeze in.
But, this 2 hours 20 minutes movie!!! yes, the longest Korean movie I ever watched...is indeed a sight and a tale to behold.
For anyone who's into Korean history and interested in face-reading or those interested in the movie simply because of its casts (which is 'wow'), this movie would satisfy them.
As for me? I love it. Simply because it turns out to be a challenge for me to grasp what the heck-it-was, the whole idea of face-reading being correlated with the fate of the dynasty. See? it's intriguingly captivating in the first place, for me, at least.
Well, frankly, there are other reasons as to why I wanted to watch the movie: ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
anyway let's go for this: the movie took me to delve into the intricate layers of Joseon Dynasty era in the 14th century (as the background of this faction (fact+fiction) historical movie).
I could assure you that: watching this movie without any prior knowledge about Joseon dynasty would not be without hassle-free:) (try to figure it out:).
I myself, was sitting (read: struggling) to comprehend what I was watching..until I got the idea of what I was bringing myself into. And I loved it.
Yes: it was about the early years of Joseon Kingdom where (like other political upheaval back then) intrigues in the kingdom were secretly lurking underneath. Okay, let me recollect what I remembered: there was this man named Suyang ( a Prince apparently) who through his wit and sleek design sort of engineer a coup d'etat and killed his relative(?) to claim the throne to be the ruler of Jeseon Dinasty, King Sejo. (hope I am right.) but.....BUT BUT BUT...
the real 'actor' of this movie is not the casts:), rather it's the idea, the concept, the belief...of gwansang (관상): physiognomy: an art of judging human characters via facial features. As a Javanese, I remember that there is also a term for it "Primbon Wajah". hmm..now I got the point.
This whole idea of gwansang give the sound foundation on how the movie revolves around the major characters.
Even the tagline of the movie "The fate of Joseon lies in their facial features"
I never thought that I managed to squirm :) myself into the intricate layers of Joseon era through this movie.
Song Kangho, Lee Jeong-jae, Kim Hye-soo, and Lee Jong Sok make up the top cast of the movie. Yes, the face reading in quesion is Nae-kyung (played by Song Kang-ho) with its twist and turns. He was lured' by Kim Hye-soo (mmm she's a gisaeng) to come into Hanyang (present day Seoul) to be a face reader. Luck stroke him to be a famous face reader unknowingly that...all hell broke loose afterwards....
I got to work hard to understand the Korean language for the whole 2 hours in a theater ....but...then....it turned out...I got the gist and idea of what the movie was all about.
Yes...I was captivated by the intrigues surrounding this gwansang.
is it a worth-watching movie? Definitely. If you're into this.:)
Yippiieeee.....a morning screening only cost me 5,000 Won!
I think movie distributor in Korea did it on purpose. My friends back home in Indonesia watched Despicable Me 2 and Monster University 2 months ago!! But, as for us in Korea, we got to be very patient...since those two movies are coming to Korea this coming Chuseok (Thanksgiving Day in Korea).
I don't know why...Despicable Me is 'translated' or changed into 슈퍼배드 (Super Bad) in Korea. Hmm..well, it does have a rather similar idea...in meaning..but..the funny thing is that..even when it is written in Hangeul, still it IS English, right? 'Super Bad'
Or..was the movie actually titled 'Super Bad' even in English?
I need some 'enlightenment'!! *-^
The Korean movie to be watched out for..during Chuseok is '관상' (gwansang) or loosely translated into 'The Horoscope of Face' Hmm...the premise of the movie is that..the Fate of Joseon Dynasty lies in the hands of these people's gwansang. Hmm...sounds a bit hard to comprehend without any English translation. But, still..it's a worth-waiting-for movie. Oh, I don't have to wait until September 17 or Chuseok..coz I heard that it premiers on September 11!!
Who doesn't want to see a movie full A-list Korean stars: 송강호, 이정재, 백윤식, 조정석, 이종석, 김혜수....
Then..another movie to watch with my children would definitely be (몬스터 대학교) Monster University. Mike and Sully are back to retell their story of how they met in college before we knew them in Monster Inc. years back.
anyway..that'll be something to look for..in the coming Chuseok.
But first...before talking about the movie, I was overwhelmingly alarmed by the fact that the catastrophe that befell upon Seoul (or Bundang city in the movie) IS.....caused by the flu brought by a migrant worker from Southeast Asian country (or countries?)
oh no.....oh ...what an image. ^^
but...thankfully..the movie kind of 'steered' the scenario in such a way..that the so-called flu virus carrier....turned up to play one of the pivotal roles in the movie!!!
So, I watched the movie with Seonhee^^, yes, first time ever. She kept on telling me as to when we had a time to see movie together and finally we did. We had 3 hours in between studio recording and Mr. Mana Rahmana's farewell party.
So, we went to IFC Mall's CGV theater and got ourselves hooked and mesmerized by the insanity and chaos thrown upon our face!!!
*-*
Now..thanks (sarcastically+ironically) to the movie, I've become a bit of anxieties whenever I see someone sneeze!!!
I hope ....I am turning myself into hypochondriac!!!!
See the trailer here: and decide....especially if you are in Seoul.
This movie is enough to see it once ONLY. Not that it's not a good movie, It's a well-executed movie...it's just that it offered so much blood in the midst of its humanity-ridden message.
Still, the haunting images of catastrophic disaster brought in by FLU...
Yesterday I just went home numb and jaw dropped with 설국열차 (Snowpiercer)...and today..I was blown away by 'The Terror Live.
Hmm...why ..why..why so many Korean movies that I got to watch? ^^
well..being a movie freak..I couldn't help it.
In two-week time...there's gonna be 감기 'The Flu'
another disaster-themed movie.....^^
Okay..to start with..I love the movie. I made it into the cinema after rushing myself...into the crowds who happened to see the same movie. The movie indeed received a word-of-mouth marketing, especially since it heads to head with the blockbuster 'Snowpiercer'
now..let me get it straight....
The straight leading man^^Yoon Young-hwa (played by Ha Jung-woo) is a radio host who happens to receive a guest call while he's on air. The caller claims to have a bomb and plans to detonate the Mapo bridge. And he does...only after Ha Jeong-woo shrugs his call off. Then...Kaboom...all hell broke loose in Seoul.
This movie is a masterpiece (well, at least for me) since I love movies with contained and closed spatial backdrop, like a radio studio, in this one.
It does deliver a spinal and neck-wrecking terror ...since it does look happen right here in Seoul...and in Youido..where I always go on a weekly basis.
It couldn't be scarier!
Terrorists sound so clearly near....
Once again..this is a must-watch movie in summer.
Summer movie like this really delivers!
It gave me goosebumps....
#Yippeey...being a CGV member...I could pay as much as 5,500 Won for this one....^^
I managed to see this talked about and anticipated movie on the premier on July 29. I thought the movie was about to be premiered on August 1. But I heard the news that thanks..to Director Bong's agreement, Koreans could enjoy his latest movie a day sooner. After finishing my recording, I rushed to CGV @ IFC Mall, the nearest one the office.
It was a truly demented, twisted, jaw-dropping, mind blowing Korean movie that left me numb and speechless at the spectacle and its story telling. Koreans must have been so proud of this wide-release movie all across the globe. I can see why. Even CGV decorated itself with lots of posters to sort of commemorate and celebrate the premiere.
The posters of each characters depicted in the movie are hung across the hall. Well, I am not sure about other CGV, but right here in CGV Yoiudo, there was a warm reception on the premiere.
Two Koreans movie are screened at the same time: Snowpiercer (설국열차) and The Terror Live (더테러 라미브). I could not see both on the same day.
In fact I just saw the Terror Live on August 1^^
The social division within carriages on the train circulating the world drenched in the 2nd ice age. The relentless pursuit of freedom. The meaning of humanity is at stake. I just could not believe my eyes of what I saw as I let myself being absorbed into the world of 'Snowpiercer'. The cinematography was appealingly indeed a feast to the eyes even during the most brutal and goriest scene in the movie. The camera movements never sore the audience.
The striking differences among carriages as the rebellion approaches the upfront carriage were enough to make me (at least) awed by the sheer portrayal of what it must've been like to live on the train for 17 years, especially for those who had to leave at the back of the train.
See what they eat: don't get alarmed.
See what they have to endure to survive: don't be alarmed.
See what they have do: don't be alarmed...
Just...let your mind absorb the upper/beyond realities...which are appalling to comprehend.
and..yes..the luxurious debaucheries on the front compartments were also appalling.
Behold!!!
I am not sure as to whether international audience would be able to embrace director Bong's style in movie-making...but yes...I think this Korean movie will be easily remembered as one of the advanced achievement of movie making along with its international cast and crew members.
If most of my Korean friends are talking about it...so am I.
If most of my Korean friends watched it...so did I.
"My mission in South Korea is to be a neighborhood's stupid boy" That's the tagline of the much talked-about movie in Korea this week (as of writing this entry). The viewers has surpassed 5 millions in a week.
Kim Su-hyeon (one of Korea's male heartthrobs) is Bang donggu--who pretends to be a mentally-retarded boy who do errands in a local shack-store (슈퍼) owned by a motherly lady who never has the slightest idea that this boy is actually a North Korean spy!!
First, the main attraction of the movie is--I think--the intriguingly enchanted persona of Kim so-hyeon who looks captivating-ly handsome in TV ads, but ...not in the movie. Well, of course, we cannot (me myself) refrain ourselves from not admiring his chiseled abs and six-packed being thrown out in the movie, but..the main attractiveness of the movie turned out to be...the layers within layers that constitute what or who we are.
Now, let me take a trailer and put it on here:
It does not matter as to whether you are a spy /an agent from North Korea. We did not care. As the movie comes along the way into its midway, we sort of develop a sense of acquaintance and acceptance towards Kim/Bang's persona. Instead of seeing him as a spy--no matter how hard we tried to--the movies leers us into a wonderful 'trap' of dividing our emotions as to what to do with this 'enchantingly retarded boy'.,
This is, I think-is the prowess of the movie.
With the trio unbeatable cast( Park Ki Woong, Kim Su Hyeon and Lee Hyeon Woo), now I know the reasons why this movie has attracted lots of viewers this week.
Once again, no matter how North-Korean-ized you are as a spy, after all, you are no different from others, you are simply human who could love and feel emotions.
That's what makes the movie so touching.
The last scene(s) involving the main characters are so memorable.
The last scene with 슈퍼주인 is...also one of the strongly memorable moment of the movie.
I think the movie that deals with a politically sensitive issue of North-South relation...wrapped in a comedy, action, drama movie like this one..
is another proof of well-made Korean movie.
Movie freak: Bring it On.
Yep, this is another movie-time in-between-final-examination-week.
The familiar facade of the IFC mall. My new hangout venue for me!!! Well, having a chance to do a daily activity in Youido turned out to be fun. I thought that it would be so dull to be in the office complex whole day long. But...I was wrong.
In between time, especially during lunch hour, I could just sneak into this mall easily. Well, no other reason but..just to warm myself up in the midst of this shivering cold snap.^^
( -10 C is not my thing...for I am after all an avid tropical person myself).
So, the other day..I got a chance to enjoy myself being an escapee from my daily routines. Bought myself a movie ticket...and..enjoyed the rest of the day.
The Tower: Korea's recent blockbuster flick in Winter.
I deem it: Towering Inferno: Korean Style.
As for the ambiance of the theater....it would be an understatement if I just call it amazing. It's more than that. The lounges, the bookstore, the cafe, the nuance, and the ambiance...oh, did I mention the waiting lounge....
Well, the cinema lane within this CGV theater is a must-visit venue for any movie lovers in town.
I know it looks like not many people there...well, it was around 6 pm when not many people were yet to be there. But, I could assure you that..it is usually fully packed with workers and employees and I am sure tourists as well....who mostly work and come at this central business district.
이 영화를 2년 전에 봤지만 감겅적인 마음을 받은 느낌이 생생하게 남아 있다. 이 영화를 본 후 고향에 계시던 어머니와 할머니의 뜨거운 포옹을 생각했다. 아마도 이 영화를 본 후 이와 같은 생각을 갖는 사람도 많이 있을거라고 생각한다. 또 다른 재미있는 것은 이영화를 통해서 한국에 있는 초코파이라는 과자가 있다는 것을 알게 되었다. 진짜, 초코파이가 아이들이 좋아하는 과자인데 이영화속에서 초코파이가 우리 할머니의 따뜻한 마음을 볼 수 있다. <집으로>는 감동적인 장면을 그리며 초코파이가 더 깊은 의미를 글 준다는 말이다.
유명한 배우 하나 없이, 이 영화는 보기가 조금 불가능한 사람간의 관계를 성공적으로 그려 준다. 이정향 감독의 참을성은 몰론이고 이 영화를 만든 사람들의 노력덕분에 우리가 한국영화계에 처음으로 나이 많으신 할머니와 손자의 관계를 재치있게 묘사한다. 그래서 21세기 한국영화들중에 <집으로>라는 영화를 포함하여 꼭 봐야 할 영화이다.
간단한 줄거리를 말하자면 도시에서 온 8살 손자가 2달 동안 만난적이 없는 77세 할머니하고 산골에서 어쩔 수 없이 동거해야 한다는 이야기이다. 이런 배경이야기만 아는 관람객들이 그 두 사람이 잘 동거할 수 있을까 하는 호기심이 생기기 마련이다. 손자가 산골에서 적응하지 못 하는 일들 혹은 할머니가 그의 순자의 상상하지 못한 부탁들을 어떻게 잘 해결하는 지에 대해서 가장 감동적이고 잘 만들어진 장면들이다. 현대 한국생활속에 아직도 남아 있는 세대차이를 잘 보여 주는 영화가 바로 이 영화이다. 산골에서 단순하고 사소한 사건들을 통해서 손자와 할머니의 세대차이를 극복하는 순간들을 보여주기만 해도 이 영화가 대단한 영화라고 여길 수 있다.
가끔 이 영화를 보면서 할머니가 불쌍하다고 생각했는데 멋 모르는 8살 아이에게서 무엇을 보라보는 것이 있는냐 하는 생각도 든다. 다행이 이 영화가 할머니의 따뜻한 마음과 사랑을 통해 장난 꾸러기 손자가 할머니가 진심으로 보여 주는 정을 느끼게 되었다는 것을 잘 그려 준다.
10년 만에 만든 영화이지만 이 영화가 볼 만한 영화냐고 하면 틀림없이 그렇다고 할 것이다. 이 영화의 단순함이 바로 이 작품의 매력이 기때문이다.
Yes...it's been a few years ago since I watched this movie. This movie had left me with an impressive feeling of wanting to go back home and embrace the warmth of my grandma.
oh..one more thing...this is the very movie that introduced me to the sweetness of Choco Pie^^ (Korean snack that has delved into the realm of every child (including me) who watched the movie.
First thing first, this movie has no famous star starring in it. No one. The director (Ms. Lee Jeong Hyang) -- I think-- had a different purpose of doing this. Well, it turned out that the movie was such a great and moving story about two unlikely couple (a grandmother and his grandson ----wait for it-----whom he never taken care of before).
Ok.....
The movie starts with a mere and simple plot actually. It all comes down to the point of what would an 8-year old grandson-- brought up and raised in a city-- do when he has to live for 2 months with his grandmother in a remote village out of nowhere. The common expectation would be....would they be able to stand and bear to live with each other?
The movie's simplicity turns out to be the strength of the movie itself. I love it sooo much. I kept guessing of what would the boy do next or what would the 77-year old grandmother do to please her grandson who seems to have no manner whatsoever.
Although the tone of the movie is sometimes a bit long overdrawn into monotonous portrayal of a serene village life, it is the monotonous depiction that also makes the movie gain its strength. and I think the director did well on this.
Oh, did I mention that.....the grandmother is played by a real grandmother who lives in a village...she never played on any movie before....even I guess...she'd never been to Seoul herself (maybe). So,....the coming of her grandson (Sangu) really turns her life upside down. She never manages to comprehend what her grandson says or does. He brings along with him....robot, toys, and a kind of video game that really preoccupies most of his time---disregarding what his grandmother says and asks him to do.
Poor the old woman...for her grandson seems to ignore her most of the time.
But...this is the central point of the movie itself.
I feel pity for the grandmother...but on the other hand....what can I expect for a city boy who never knows or simply indifferent or unaware of the consequences of what he wants or does.
I remember interesting moments from the movie:
first: the time when Sangu has to go to hwajangsil or byeonsil. Well, of course in the village (back then..I guess)..there are no such things as hwajangsil like the one that city people have. Those in the remote village where he is now.....is far apart from the house. So, he has no other choice but to go outside whenever he wants to go to the byeonsil ^^. To make matter worse, it is dark outside. So,.....no other choice......but........to have his natural call.....in the house...!! THank God...his understanding grandmother provides a kind of small bowl. Oh...NOooo...what a sight! But. ...it was so funny.
Then...
second: the time when Sangu wants to eat chicken..fried chicken like the one he has back home in the city.....^^ like that in KFC! Instead of asking her mother to cook or prepare him takgoki (Korean word for chicken), he uses an English word "chicken" in Korean pronunciation "chikin". So, there starts a series of misunderstanding ..one after another...until finally....her grandmother prepares him a kind of whole chicken boiled in a stew like soup. ^^
Funnily entertaining.
This really portrays the generation gap of Korean society back then.
I wonder if this situation still could persist in Korea. ( I doubt it).
But...back to the movie....
The series of unfortunate messes...one after another...during the whole movie....really got me.
I was so deeply touched by how a simple and ordinary life being portrayed in the movie imbued by the power of love and devotion as shown by a simple grandmother has finally been able to change and melt away the stubborn boy who at first ......ignores and disrespect his grandmother.
The communication gap and the possible misfortunes that may arise between the two people.....are solved through the power of love...a simple one.
Gosh....I want to go back and hug my grandmother and mom...when I see the movie.
I was crying at the end of the movie. Happy and a kind of mixed feeling of .....being involved in the journey to the home where heart is......
Is this Korean movie worth-watching, then? DEFINITELY:) ^^
translated version (roughly):
I went to Megabox Cineplex yesterday. It turned out that I could (still) see the facade I saw 8 years ago. I was a bit surprised, but hey what I could say ('bout it?). When I was strolling the floor, I thought that I would not have had enough money left, should I'd seen the movie. I did not. Thus, I kinda felt reluctant as I continued walking around the area. I will for sure let myself see some movies here, when the time and chance come and let me. When I was going out of the cineplex, I remembered some phrases, clauses, sentences from a newly released Korean movie titled <The Champ> starred by Cha Tae Hyeon. I realized that the movie was supposed to be the representative movie during Chuseok Holiday season in Korea. I learned it from the huge poster posted above the ticket box. ( I hope I translate these correctly:)
"The Miracle of Emotional True Story"
"We run together, we can be the best"
"The first and greatest event in the history of Korean (horse) race (that will leave you) warm and feel-good"
"The beginning of relentless feats for the (people) characters amidst the impossibilities"
Of course, there are many other phrases that I could see, but since I did not have time to remember them all, I just remembered them most.
But, wait...I wonder if the movie interesting.
since.....I did not / can not watch it..:) oh....I wish....
