Always (2011)

I gave this movie a 10 and I don’t usually do that. I’m actually quite stingy when it comes to giving out 10s. But I asked myself what would I change about this movie and I could not come up with a single reason. Since this review system includes rating the music, maybe I could ding a half point for not having a scintillating OST but that would be nit picky.

Breathtaking. The one adjective I would use to describe this movie. Why don’t they make romantic movies like this anymore? This was produced in 2011 and here I am in 2016 and it doesn’t feel old or outdated. Because emotion is timeless.

The entire production evokes all kinds of emotions from me: anguish, pain, sense of loss, despair, wonder, regret, hope, trepidation, and ultimate joy.

The story, the pace, the acting, the direction, the set up, the chemistry… I could go on and on. It simply works. What can I say about So Ji Sub and Han Hyo Joo? I cannot picture any other actors as Chul Min and Jung Hwa. Their acting brilliance made this love story so believable. It is all about the little things, the effortless portrayal of every nuance of emotional range without having to over-act or being over-dramatic.

I was invested in their love story from the moment she walked into his small parking lot booth. Two souls with a sad past. The beginning of something special. Yes, the story is not original, but then what is? If the quest for originality loses sight of the overarching goal of making us care, then it defeats the reason for making this story. I would rather have a story that makes me care about the characters, touch at the core of my emotions, pull at my heartstrings and ultimately bring tears to my eyes than one that is original but leaves me emotionless and with apathy.

This is a romantic movie with a touch of melo for those that cherish a well done heart-wrenching love story.

And it is a definite re-watch. It is one of those treasured love stories that I will be coming back to for years to come.

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After watching one depressing K-movie after another, it was such a joy to stumble across Only You. It wasn't a very spectacular film by any stretch of the imagination, but I loved it for the mere fact that it wasn't some over the top, melancholic tearjerker. It turned out to be just the type of romantic drama I love to watch.

The leads were quite easy on the eyes and they had great chemistry. I loved that the heroine didn't live her life at the mercy of her condition. She was very self-sufficient, sweet and a very good balance to our broody hero.

Speaking of him, I don't think he did much acting here. Haha. He was like a big log that grunted. :) But who cares, he was hot and the way he opened up to the heroine's sweet coaxing was awesome to watch. I wish there were more scenes with the two after they decided to go steady, but I'm not gonna complain one way or the other.

This was a very sweet love story. I loved how it played out. The characters didn't have it easy, but in the end they got their happy ending. I also loved how relatable they were. The hero was just your average joe working two jobs to get by. The heroine worked at a call centre, not a luxury job by any means. They really reflected ordinary people living and loving very well. It's something you don't see often enough on screen -- as if society is overrun with corporate CEOs.

My new found addiction to Asian cinema is here to stay. There's no escaping it so I imagine there's gonna be a lot of sad dramas and movies in my future. That's why I'm glad I found this film. When I can't take the melancholia anymore at least I'll have this to turn to. I've already re-watched it twice since I first saw it. It's like balm for the wounded soul.

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I have to say this was the BEST Korean Movie I have ever seen, it's not choppy, it has a nice flow and the acting is superb <3 I decided to watch this movie b/c of So Ji Sub and Han Hyo Joo in early 2013 via YT.
So Ji Sub looked really good all rough and sexy and Han Hyo Joo was really pretty on here :)
I loved how their love story developed, it was sweet and romantic - their pasts are entangled.... it's just beautiful <3

I've watched it twice already and my sister even bought it for me :D the dvd version however cuts a couple scenes that the YT version still has (I wish it didn't but it does...)

I'd definitely recommend you watch this movie - and this is coming from a person who isn't too keen on Asian movies :)

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This is a really good movie. The story is a little grusome at times, but it also has light hearted warm moments. The play on light and dark in the cinematography goes well with the story. There is one part where Cheol Min replaces the windows and Jeong Hwa reaches out to the light that is just beautiful. The acting is really good too. Of course, So Ji Sub is always good at playing the slightly disturbed characters. He is one of my favorite actors!!! I love Han Hyo Joo in Shining Inheritance and she didn't let me down in this movie. The music isn't anything to mention but it went well with the movie. I would probably watch this movie again.

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Only You is the kind of movie I would never pick had it not been my friend's strong recommendation. This falls into the kind of genre that I usually avoid, and even if do watch something similar I have had almost no instances where I ended up liking it. This can be among the ones that I didn't end up hating. So yes, this movie is good.

To be honest, this was simply another melodrama. But, in some aspects it was very different from what usually takes place in such movies. The blind girl was pretty self sufficient in it and I liked that a lot. She was neither a pushover nor dumb and the actress acted pretty well in it. I understand that playing blind characters is difficult and majority of the times, it seems fake while acting. But she did a good job of it. And the hero is the cliched tortured soul with a dark past and a dangerous life. I really don't know much about So Ji Sub but his acting was good in it. But I'd still go with the lead actress because her role was far more challenging than his.

It was pretty good when it started but it kind of fell apart about one third into the film. I was simply not interested in the boxing part nor the missions given to the hero. I also expected a few light moments but there weren't any. As I said, this is just not my genre. I cannot stay serious for too long while watching a film and a few random romantic parts don't help all that much since it is difficult to please me with just romance.

In spite of the flaws in the film, the best part of it was the cinematography. The effects used in editing were great. Mostly, it was the different kinds of lighting which were used so appropriately according to each scene that kept me hooked. Also, the outdoor locations were simply fabulous. A couple of places made me want to be there with them! I also liked the background score because it blended well with the situations.

The ending was very corny for my taste. The last 20 minutes could have been omitted and that would have been so much better. But thank goodness, it didn't end badly. The guy and the girl did love each other truly and I got that point. So far, this is the best Korean movie I have watched with pinches of originality with an attepmt to surpass the usual cliches. It is still worth a watch and a good way to spend time if you're in search for a romantic movie with a lot of sentiments.

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Sabe quando você tem imagens de certos atores na sua cabeça e do nada assiste um algo que te fez mudar completamente de opinião? É exatamente o que eu passei assistindo esse título.

Conheci os dois atores principaie em romances cômicos, bem leves. W e Oh My Venus. Então sempre tive essa sensação de que eles são atores que foram feitos para comédias românticas.

Porém, assistindo esse filme mudei completamente de opinião. Atores completamente versáteis que conseguiram demonstrar cada sentimento, pelo olhar, pela fala e etc.

Tanto que lembro até agora daquela cena dela colocando a lanterna no olho e NÃO PISCANDO, tremendo ou algo do tipo. Imagina o quão difícil foi para ela gravar essa cena?

Eu sempre disse que um ator que consegue atuar em um papel que é portador de alguma doença ou invalidez, é um ator muito bom. Peformar um papel de um portador de deficiência e conseguir transmitir todos os sentimentos, tornando os telespectadores empáticos? UAU.

Não posso deixar de exaltar a atuação do ator não, COMPLETAMENTE PERFEITO. Esse final foi forte, e bonito.

Um filme maduro, triste porém feliz, que te faz pensar.

Super recomendo a todos!

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I really thought I'd think over every review aspect and then rate this movie but after watching it, every possible calculation has gone out of the window. I cannot give anything less than a 10 to any category. The movie surpassed any presumptions, any expectations I had before I began watching it. I could literally feel my heart swelling up with emotions while I was watching the film. I'm writing this with still-wet and puffy eyes, sniffling but smiling nonetheless.

The synopsis had me believing that there wouldn't be much alterations in the conventional storyline concerning a blind girl and a coconut-like guy. If I'm being honest, yes the basic story was pretty much by the book. Having said that though, I would like to clarify that, despite there being no creative and novel plot twists, this movie still managed to make me feel as if I was watching this scenario for the first time. The freshness and the warmth was unparalleled. I fell in love with the premise, the characters, their habits, everything! Even though this was not a novel concept, the story still deserves a perfect 10 for the way it was written and executed. It's one of the best depicted love stories I have ever seen.

Where do I even begin about the actors.. The female lead (this is the first time I've seen her work) was spectacular! She gave a praiseworthy natural performance, you'd have a hard time believing that she isn't blind in real. I can recall there is a scene where she shines the torchlight in her eyes, with the torch a mere inch or two away from her eyes and she doesn't show a spec of emotion on her face! Brilliant work. And So Ji Sub was a pure delight to watch, he came off as such an endearing and likable person, especially in all his efforts at redemption. The two have a very heartwarming chemistry as well, you feel all giddy and joyous just looking at the two of them.

The music stood out even though it was a movie and music rarely leaves a mark during films. But I loved the soundtracks used in this film, definitely added to the beauty of the story.

Even as I'm writing this review I want to watch the movie again :P This movie is definitely something I'll rewatch and make my friends watch too, it deserves to be seen. The bonds between the characters that are shown in the film are very memorable and you take them with you even after you finish watching it. You remember all the little details that touched your heart and make you feel good all over again.

I highly recommend this beautiful movie to everyone who wants to watch a movie that'll leave a fond memory :)

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Ahh, yeah this one is complicated. Always was a movie recommended to me by another member of MDL. I was enthusiastic about it since So Ji Sub is one of my favorite actors and also I very much like Han Hyo Joo. But I was sort of let down. Although the cast was admirable and the acting by both lead and most supporting cast impressive, they were all let down by the story, screenplay, and direction. It was cheesy, painfully slow paced and full of unnecessary twists and complicated which made the story unrealistic and sadly unbelievable. It made me rather gloomy. I'd say watch it if you are a fan of the main actor and/or actress and if you like a melodramatic story full of complications and obstacles on the couples way to happily ever after. I would not watch it again, once was enough.

Saruman was somberly not pleased.  

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DO NOT WATCH THE TRAILER........ When I watched the trailer of the movie, I didn't wanna watch it anymore, cuz it basically told me the whole story. But now that I totally forgot the trailer, and needed something romantic with a mix of sadness, I went for it, and I'm glad I did.

The movie is not the MASTERPIECE kind, but without denying you will enjoy it. The story is catchy, not everyday do we watch a movie with this kind of plot *A big applaud to the writer/s*. However, there were some disgusting fill with blood scenes that I couldn't watch, I wanted to skip these scenes so bad, but I'm not a skipper when it comes to movies. Other many scenes were filled with cuteness *I didn't have anyone watching them with me, so I got through them hugging myself :"(*

The chemistry between the leads wasn't convincing but it doesn't bother you that much. Their relationship is the cute one, not that passionate but it is cute.

At the end, I recommend you watching it with someone to cuddle! I don't think I'll rewatch it by myself again because I don't think I will enjoy it that much. However, if I was with a group of friends and they wanted to watch it. I wouldn't mind.

Have fun watching it.

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My July recommendation challange

Watch this for my July recommendation challange by forest Not realize I've already watch the Japan version just a few month ago. If not for the challange, I'll already drop it in the first 10 minutes. Haha...

Tell story about Chul Min (CM), a former boxer, who starts a new job as a parking lot attendant. One night, a visually impaired young woman, Jung Hwa (JH), walks into his tollbooth to watch television with him. JH's bright smile & cheerful spirit reach through to CM's lonely heart. Together CM & JH bring ray of hope into each other lives.

But their love and happiness may be short-lived, cause soon CM know the reason for JH blindness & his connection to it & fell regret yet responsible at the same time. For that's reason, CM finally decided to take the challange of underground fighting, to get enough money for JH's eye surgery.

In the end, there's some accident after CM underground fighting & that's causing CM to disappearing from JH's life. What will come in the end? Will CM & JH meet again in the future?

That's overall the story. Now let's talk what I like and don't.

What I like:
+ The Japan version I forgot, even though MDL write the summary about ML also go to underground fighting, to get enough money for FL's eye surgery. But I don't really remember much about it. But this one, leave bigger imprint in my mind about his intention for underground fighting.
+ I more like the chemistry Korea Version than the Japan version.

What I don't like:
- Many problem apart from CM & JH relationship are not explained. Like how CM back to Korea after the fight, or what happen with his business with underground gank... (You know the diamond...)

Overall this good movie to watch. I'm quite happy can re-watch this with different version.

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